How To Wear Cowboy Boots

Yes, cowboy boots are becoming decidedly fashionable. Whether on the street or in their traditional home on the ranch, they are classic, distinctive, and have a rugged look.

How To Wear Cowboy Boots

There are a few tips on how to wear cowboy boots that should be considered. Some outfits are topped off with a pair, while others are turned off. 

Cowboy boots are quite specific so do require a modicum of conviction and organization with the rest of your outfit.

Footwear like this is not to be worn lightly and you may find that your outfit becomes confusing as soon as you put them on. Worn with even more cow leather with a Western-styled hat and you could be auditioning for Halloween. 

Here we will look at how to wear cowboy boots to make a statement to become footwear that gives your outfit some style.

How To Wear Cowboy Boots

How To Fully Embrace Cowboy Boots

Part of the experience of wearing cowboy boots is learning how to embrace them. They should be a fashion statement yet that comes with understanding why cowboy boots can be such a superb addition to your wardrobe.

Appreciate the past, of ranchers in the Wild West to film stars such as Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. Having built up such a tradition and authenticity, you should show them the respect they deserve by keeping them clean and conditioned.

Cowboy boots have such a distinctive look that they almost automatically become the focus of attention for your outfit.

Those intricate stitching designs, their calf coverage, the tapered toes, and the rugged leather or snakeskin. The Cuban heels can also add an inch to your height and can make a real difference from wearing flat, dress shoes. 

Unless you are in the Lone Star State, you will be wearing your cowboy boots casually and socially. That should mean a collared shirt and a sleek belt with a pair of relaxed-looking jeans.

A jacket is also ideal as it can help balance out how casual the boots are instead of trying to get away with it wearing just a shirt.

A denim jacket can work well as this is a decent, plain alternative to complement the decorative nature of the boots.

Headwear may also pose an issue as only a Western-style hat really works with a pair of cowboy boots though that can be distracting. If you did want to embellish the cowboy boots then a cow leather belt would be fitting.

Top it off with a decorative buckle and you may really be onto something. Nothing too flashy though, you do not want to take the focus away from the boots. 

If the cowboy boots are not a regular staple to bring out of your wardrobe then you want to check that they fit properly.

Cowboy boots are designed with a narrow toe which helps them fit into a stirrup. The full-grain leather can soften over time yet that is only after regular use.

If you are not used to wearing your cowboy boots then ensure you take the time to break them in first. They can be notoriously stiff and your feet should slip into them, if not then the heel can pinch.

How To Wear Cowboy Boots

Know Which Cowboy Boots To Look Out For

There are several styles of cowboy boots that each have their own look. A traditional cowboy boot has a Cuban heel and is around 12 inches high.

They are designed for riding horses so do have a slight inward angle that may make walking in them a bit awkward. The Stockman is also a cowboy boot that has a more conventional style. 

If you really want to make a splash with your costume then find a pair of Buckaroos. These are taller so would suit a taller wearer as these are over 14 inches high.

They come with exceptional detailing that should protect and embellish your long legs. You also need to decide on the correct size as these differ between male and female boots for the width.

Men’s cowboy boots are usually sized in B, D, and EE widths while women’s cowboy boots go A, B, and C in width sizes.  

What You Should Not Wear With Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are meant to be worn with some confidence. When worn in an outfit, they should be used as a final touch and not part of a glamorous ensemble.

Think less Marty McFly at the start of Back To The Future III in a flashy pink, yellow and blue tassel shirt. Think more Clint Eastwood in A Fistful of Dollars.

Though your cowboy boots should look good and relatively understated, they should subtly fit with the rest of your outfit. 

Try not to go for a Western theme and avoid ponchos, cowboy hats, and especially spurs. Your boots are supposed to stand out, not fall in line with the rest of an outfit.

Follow the rule of one Western item per outfit, so if you do wear cowboy boots that means you should not wear a bolo tie or a cowboy shirt. The aim of the cowboy boots is to make a fashion statement, not be part of a costume.

How To Wear Cowboy Boots With Jeans

If you are to wear cowboy boots you should fully show them off and definitely do not tuck your jeans into them.

You want people to see the intricate stitching design, don’t you? If you are to wear jeans then dark colors work better as these are ideal for nights out wearing your cowboy boots.

Opt for boot-cut jeans as the flared leg really shows off the boots and ensures that they do not gather around your leg. This style of jeans also does not need to be rolled up when you are putting on your boots, unlike regular or straight-leg jeans.

The jeans should also be the right length and the correct fit. Long enough so they protect your legs and go over the shaft of the cowboy boots but rest above the heel by about a quarter-inch.

Your jeans should not be so long that they get stuck underneath the heel or drag behind the boots. At that length, the ends will get dirty and generally look unkempt. 

Final Thoughts

Even if you have the ideal pair of cowboy boots with a costume that you think looks great, you still need to wear them with some confidence.

Though fashionable, cowboy boots are still relatively uncommon so they will turn heads. To pull off your look, you need to wear your cowboy boots with a bit of flair and notable panache.

That means adjusting your body language accordingly while on the move with your chest held high, your backbone up, and your posture straight. Basically, try to be more Clint Eastwood.

Catherine McDowl
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