Cowboy boots are far more than a single item in the Old West or something to wear at the rodeo of the locality. To the contemporary man, they symbolize a rough but sophisticated shoe that is comfortable enough to wear to work and at the same time does not fall short of being a high-end fashion shoe. To be able to wear cowboy boots that are worn by men, one has to be confident as well as have knowledge of proportions. It could be your first pair of Luccheses or a pair of rugged Ariats but how you do them will ensure you either come out looking like an experienced professional or a person who has come to have a themed party. It is all in the shape of your trousers and the event you are in.
Majority of the men avoid the western boots as they are afraid of presenting themselves as out of place in a city setting. Nevertheless, these boots have a lot of versatility which is not taken seriously. Whereas a weekend wedding requires a pair of well polished boots where your normal derbies or loafers would be, a well polished pair of boots will serve the purpose and also give you a touch of masculine nature, in the office or on a weekend wedding. It is regarding the trade-offs between the daring character of the boot and the traditional ones, which do not emphasize the design and allow the craft to speak louder. Having a few basic guidelines on fit, fabric and flair, one can incorporate this timeless footwear into your day to day rotation easily.
Selection of the Perfect Jeans to make up a Classic appearance.
The basis of any Western clothing is the denim. The most important element when it comes to wearing cowboy boots by men is the stack of the jeans one wears. You desire a pair of jeans to have either straight leg or boot cut. Slim-fit jeans also have the capacity of working in case they have space at the ankle to fit the shaft of the boot without swelling up to form an unsightly figure. Slim jeans should be avoided by all means because it will give the appearance of the top of the boot the appearance of a bulge and destroy the sleek appearance.
Jean length should be a little more than the regular dress pants. This can be stacked in a slight effect to the denim bulging graciously around the instep of the boot. When you are sitting, you do not want to be having your jeans so high that they expose the bottom part of the boot or the socks. Dark indigo denim is an elegant appearance that can be used during dinner dates, whereas a worn or torn wash is ideal to use when spending a casual afternoon in the ranch or a backyard barbecue.
Learning the Business Casual Western Beauty.
Surprisingly, cowboy boots are quite appropriate in most of the business environments particularly in the Southern and Western States of America. To remove this, one will have to treat his/her boots as dress shoes of high quality. This involves choosing a pair that is made of smooth leather or an exotic one such as ostrich or caiman in the dark brown or black colour. The shape of the toe is also important a snip toe or a traditional almond toe will appear to be far too formal as opposed to a broad square toe that is only used in heavy work or during casual occasions.
Wear well tailored dress slacks or chinos with your polished boots. Make sure the trousers are finished on the hem which is resting well on the foot. Topped of by a sharp button-down shirt cuffed in with a leather belt of a matching color to your boots. To make the outfit even higher, a navy blazer or a tweed sport coat would be a welcome addition. This is an amalgamation to a Power Western appearance that will be respected and yet will retain some personal touch that will make you stand out of the crowd of ordinary Oxford footwear.
Clearing up the Significance of the Boot Shaft.
One of the major mistakes that men commit is not paying attention to what transpire under the pant leg. In the styling, the shaft of a cowboy boot is usually flown with detailed stitching or colorful hues, however, in the majority of the styling cases, this needs to be covered. The shaft must not be seen except when one is being tight in the shoes, in which case it is functional like riding a horse or in deep mud. Tucking in of pants into the boots is usually viewed as a faux pas in a fashion context, unless one is aiming at a very distinct high-fashion or utilitarian appearance.
Comfort is also dependant on the width of the shaft. In case you have slimmer calves, then you would notice that the boots would be clunking when you walked. On the other hand, men having bigger calves should allow the shaft not to be tightened such that it blocks the blood circulation or make the leather to stretch out of shape. Good boots are meant to fit the leg, which can only fit well with time, hence a tight but not an uncomfortable fit should be aimed. It is important to keep in mind that the shaft gives the ankle support and that is the reason why these boots were initially popular with the riders who had to have the support in the stirrup.
Finding a Mate to Your Belt and Accessories.
When you are throwing yourself in the world of western wear, a belt is the most significant possession that you have. The theory is easy, dress yourself in leathers. When you happen to be wearing chocolate brown rough-out boots you should have a belt of the same color of brown leather. There is no need of having an oversized trophy buckle to pass as such. Actually, a plain and high quality silver or brass buckle can be seen as much more elegant to be worn on a daily basis. The size of the belt must be big enough to fit the loops of your jeans which is usually about 1.5 inches.
Other accessories, other than the belt, are minimal. The boots can be worn together with a classic leather-strap watch or a plain silver cuff that will add some ruggedness to the watch. In case you decide to wear a hat, make sure that it is in line with the atmosphere. A felt Stetson can be considered a statement piece and thus, it takes some occasion, but the pairs of boots may be worn on their own without the entire cowboy ensemble. Learning the art of wearing cowboy boots men is meant to make one look like a contemporary male that cherishes tradition but not a cliche.
How to choose the Shape of Shoes Toe.
The shapes of toes are not only a matter of beauty but also the whole atmosphere of the boot is altered. The classic appearance is the Pointed Toe (J-Toe) which is regarded as a part of the vintage fashion and old-fashioned Western movies. The most popular entry level shoe is the Round Toe (R-Toe) that is the most comfortable to walk in and the most versatile. Then one can speak of the Square Toe which has become extremely popular in recent years after offering the added space to the toes but being more of a work boot or a modern casual appearance.
The Snip Toe is a sharp and modern brand that will suit those who require a sharp and modern look. Its end is a pointed toe tapered and at the end it has a flat tapered tip. Such shape is more fashionable in nature and it is a perfect match with suits or slim-strait trousers. To determine the right shape, one should take into consideration the width of his/her foot and the places where they will be worn. In case you spend the entire day on your feet the additional space of a round or square toe will be a savior.
Breaking In Your New Leather Booles.
A pair of good cowboy is a long term investment that may last as long as decades, yet initial few weeks may be a challenge. Leather is a natural product and it takes time to be stretched and fit in to a special shape of your foot. At the initial wearing, they must be tight across at the instep like a firm handshake. When your heel slips into the cup it should pop satisfactorily. The slight slip of the heels (a quarter or half inch) is natural and even required in a new pair of boot.
In order to accelerate the process, wear a pair of socks that are a little thicker and around the house in your boots. This is useful in stretching the leather with no immediate subjecting of your feet to the entire day of walking. It is also possible to apply the leather conditioner in order to make the hide softer. They should not be stretched using heat sources such as hair dryers because it may dry up the natural oils thus leaving the leather to crack. It takes time but when they are broken in an excellent pair of boots will be the most comfortable pair of shoes in your wardrobe.
Western Boots: How to keep and take care of them.
In case you want your boots to wear in a good way, you cannot afford not to maintain it regularly. Leather has its enemies which are dirt and dust since they are sandpaper on the creases of the boot. Wear them after which they are wiped off briefly with a wet cloth. After every few months, use a special leather conditioner to ensure that the hide is not dry. This is particularly necessary when dealing with exotic skins such as lizard or alligator whereby they may end up being brittle when they are not treated.
A water-proofing spray or wax can be used in the case of those who are wearing their boots in the rainy seasons. Suedes and rough-out leathers are however to be used with caution as they have particular brushes and cleaners that are needed to maintain their texture. Keeping the shoes in cedar shoe trees when not wearing them will aid in keeping the shoes in their shape and also absorbing any moisture or odours. Proper care would make sure that the patina that your boots will acquire with time would make it look purposeful and rough instead of worn out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to wear a suit and cowboy boots with it? You can, my dear yes you can. Wear a dark and polished boot with snip or almond toe. Make sure your suit trousers are slightly broken, and should be loose enough so that they are not seen to ring on the boot shaft (they follow the outline of the boot).
But shall I tuck in my jeans in my boots? One should never wear his/her jeans below his/her boots unless he/she is in the farms, riding a horse, or high mud. Putting them in is usually not a style option, rather it is a practical alternative of wearing it on a day to day basis.
What normal is the amount of heel slip? With a new pair of cowboy shoes, a half-inch heel slip is nothing to be concerned about. This will reduce with the increase in the flexibility of the out sole and the softening of leather. When your heels do not slip during the time when they are new, then the boots are probably too small.
Which type of sock shall I wear with cowboy shoes? Search with over-the-calf socks which are made especially to fit boots. These remain all day long, and they offer an insulation between your skin and the leather shaft so that you do not get chafed and irritated.
Are cowboy boots comfortable to wear on a daylong basis? As soon as they are worn, they are so comfortable. Internal shanks that support the arch and cushioned insoles are some of the many quality shoes that have them. The flat leather outsoles are however slipping on smooth surfaces before they are scuffed to some extent.
Final Thought
The art of donning cowboy boots that men wear is one of adopting a bit of heritage and being yourself with it. It is a fashion decision which will reward the quality rather than the quantity and the confidence rather than the trends. Through attention to the fit of the jeans, the shine of the leather and the suitability of the event, one can make a pair of boots his or her staple fashion item. Be it in a city street or a dirt path the right pair of boots gives a platform of strength and eternal masculinity which would be unmatched by many other shoes. Always be straight forward, always be natural and have the boots speak it all.
