There is no question about it; there is a certain mystique surrounding cowboy boots. In fact, almost all vintage pairs of boots have a story to tell, and stories of this kind are usually as legendary as the history of the “Wild West” itself. Children would often run around in their cowboy costumes and toy horses, dreaming of being real cowboys and cowgirls. And people who grew up sometime in the 1950s most likely have a pair of old boots tucked inside the chest containing all of their most prized possessions. But, where did this type of footwear originate and what made them so popular? Let’s take a quick trip back in time and look into the history of cowboy boots.
It is commonly believed that cowboy boots trace their origins to Genghis Khan, who used to wear a pair of red boots with wooden heels. In England, most riding boots used to have high tops and stacked heels until the first Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in the year 1815. This event gave rise to the popularity of calf-length boots with low heels, now simply known as Wellingtons. During the United States Civil War, most soldiers preferred wearing Wellingtons to battle and when the war ended, they took these boots home with them. A few years after the war, the era of the American cowboy came to pass and the footwear previously worn by soldiers gained popularity as the cowboy boots that we know today.
Between the years of 1865 and 1890, cowboys mostly wore Wellingtons when they drove cattle from Texas to Kansas for two main reasons: The high tops protected their legs and the design of the heels helped keep their feet snug in the stirrups. In fact, the original design elements of cowboy boots combined to give horseback riders the perfect footwear. The pointed toe made it easy for them to insert their feet in the stirrup, while the slick sole of the boots made it easy to slip free from the stirrup when they dismounted. In the early days most boots had utilitarian designs because they were mostly work boots. It was Hollywood that introduced the concept of fashionably-designed cowboy boots when stars like Gene Autry began taking on the role of heroic cowboys.
Today, cowboy boots are still considered fashion statements, owing to celebrities like Jessica Simpson. But, of course, there is a whole world of difference between the boots of old and today’s pairs. Where before customization was mostly limited to decorative stitching, boots now come in a wide array of colors, designs, and material. Price is another point of difference, and the cowboys of yesteryears will surely find it impossible to believe that boots can now sell for up to $60,000 a pair. Of course, there are also more affordable boots for those who have a limited budget. Mass-produced boots usually sell for $100-$600 a pair. Customized boots are usually the priciest, but most people consider them good investments. Just like any icon, it looks like cowboys boots are here to stay.
Author Resource:
I am keenly interested in all aspects of fashion, and enjoy writing about it at every opportunity. My latest observations on the subject have to do with ladies casual shoes and ladies evening shoes .
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