Men's Fashion: Shoes & Footwear

It’s 2022 and cowboy boots are still as appropriate as a pair of sneakers. While the revival of Y2K fashion may account for their latest resurgence, we are pretty sure that they have always been a core part of the fashion industry. Even with the fast-changing trends, cowboy boots for men maintain a strong presence in the market. You will be overwhelmed by how a single item can have many variations, even with the slightest differences. But, like so many other trends, wearing cowboy boots seems like a challenge. How do you wear cowboy boots for men and look good in them? Source: Unsplash How To Style Cowboy Boots Slipping on a pair of cowboy boots for the first time may feel strange to someone used to wearing sneakers and dress shoes. For anyone wondering how to wear cowboy boots, the key is to determine the style that you want first, then make sure that it fits you correctly. What to Wear With Cowboy Boots You can style your boots depending on whether you want to look easy-going or formal. It is all a matter of the complementary pieces and, of course, the key to looking good with cowboy boots is to wear them with confidence! For a laidback, casual outfit, most men pair their cowboy boots with a classic t-shirt and some denim. You can also wear a long sleeve flannel shirt over your t-shirt for a more outdoor-friendly outfit, and either a denim or leather jacket for a rugged style. For a smarter look, wear a pair of dress pants or khakis and a nice button-down tucked into it. You can also top off your shirt with a blazer for a more refined take on this rather western style. A belt is also a nice touch — you would want to get something decorative if you want to look more traditional. To fully embrace the western look, you might also opt to pair it with a cowboy hat. Should You Tuck In Your Boots? When you wear denim jeans with your boots, we suggest not tucking them in. Wear them over your boots instead. For denim, opt for medium to dark-wash jeans and ones that are wide enough in the lower legs to accommodate the boot with ease. While that is the case, there will be a few scenarios when it’s acceptable to tuck your jeans into your boots. When you work in the field — on the ranch, farm, or a construction site — you can wear them inside your boots to keep them dry and clean. If you know you will be tucking in your jeans, wear a narrow-cut pair of jeans so you don’t look frumpy. You might also choose to cuff it instead — it gives you a clean look and makes you seem taller. 10 Cowboy Boots For The Modern Men + Style Tips 1. Ariat Men's Sport Wide Square Toe Western Boot Image from Amazon The combination of a white crewneck shirt and light blue denim jeans look effortlessly stylish. Pair it with this brown leather boot from Ariat and everything will look instantly cooler. It is completely made from leather, including the soles, and features a 12-inch shaft with a heel that measures approximately 1.5 inches. 2. Roper Men's Basic Square Toe Western Boot Image from Amazon Full quill ostrich is a coveted type of leather, distinct for its bumpy look and feel. This pair of synthetic roper boots replicate an exotic look, and the result is something that you can wear at a fancy restaurant or wedding. It has a shaft that reaches the mid-calf and is finished off with a wide square toe. 3. Durango Men's Rebel DB4442 Western Boot Image from Amazon This Durango boot integrates a traditional look with modern features like waterproofing, memory foam, and hardy, non-slip rubber soles. It’s a classic square-toe cowboy boot with elaborate stitching that stands out. For a street-style look, throw on a denim jacket with a fur collar and you’re good to go. 4. Ariat Heritage Roper Wide Square Toe Western Boots Image from Amazon Cowboy boots made of smooth black leather look elegant and can go with just about anything in your wardrobe. With this versatile pair, consider wearing a black-on-black look with slim black jeans and a black crewneck shirt. You can also finish off with a black blazer for a neat look. Overall, these pairings make for a solid relaxed style. 5. Ariat Men's Challenger Western Boot Image from Amazon Full grain leather is the highest-quality grade of leather that retains all of the natural grain, which means it has not been buffed, snuffed, or sanded. Getting these full-grain Ariat western boots means getting a robust and highly durable pair that will get you oohs and ahs even after several years of use. 6. ARIAT Men's Rambler Western Boot Image from Amazon To get more use out of your cowboy boots, we recommend buying one with a rather plain style and understated design. What this western boot lacks in elaborate details, it makes up for with its classic appeal. It has a distressed, worn-out look that you can pair with light wash jeans and a white tee. 7. Jazame Men's Western Ankle High Cowboy Motorcycle Boots Image from Amazon Motorcycle boots are designed to protect your feet and legs while riding, and be comfortable to walk around in just like regular boots. If you’re looking for boots that look as stylish as it is easy on the feet, go with these motorcycle boots. This pair has a full-side zip closure for easy access and a lightly padded insole for maximum comfort. 8. Laredo Men's Jacksonville Round Toe Boots Mid Calf - Brown Image from Amazon With its soft look and feel, you can’t go wrong with this brown suede boot. It pairs well with casual outfits like jeans and sweaters and just as nice with smarter and more fashionable pieces like an overcoat and dress pants. 9. ARIAT Men's Groundbreaker Square Toe Work Boot Image from Amazon This chocolate leather boot is not your regular western boot. It has mesh panels to keep your feet ventilated, cushioning for optimal support, and light rubber soles to reduce fatigue — features that you thought you would only see in athletic footwear. 10. ARIAT Men's Sport Square Toe Western Boot Image from Amazon Cowboy boots from ARIAT are some of the most expensive on the list. Still, with their quality craftsmanship and reputation for manufacturing comfortable, hard-wearing boots that last, it should be worth it. This classic square-toe boot in particular is great for riding and everyday wear. It has added features for comfort and safety such as a non-slip rubber outsole. Why Cowboy Boots? The first cowboy boots were made sometime after the end of the Civil War in 1865. One cowboy, whose military boots were not a great fit for driving the cattle cross-country, required special footwear that is cut for long hours of riding in stirrups. The result is a pair of boots with a tall shaft to protect his legs from various hazards while riding a horse, an angled heel to keep it from slipping, a pointed toe so it’s easier to slide into the stirrup, and an opening loose enough to easily pull his foot out in case of an accident or when in a hurry. The stitching on the outside also served a practical purpose, keeping the leather from bending or folding over. Although the early boots were low in style, they were nothing short of utilitarian. Throughout the years, cowboy boots were in and out of vogue, and the amount of flair ebbed and flowed along with the trends. Today, you can find cowboy boots in all styles and materials for every taste imaginable — cowhide, snakeskin, bison, buffalo, alligator, and ostrich, to name a few. Real cowboys still wear their boots, but they have become a stylish option for fashion-forward men who wear them in the streets of Paris, New York, and all the places in between. While they are as varied as the trails they have ridden, a good pair of cowboy boots remains true to its roots: practical footwear with a little bit of ruggedness and great panache, along with various benefits to offer. The Benefits of Wearing Cowboy Boots Added Height: Cowboy boots for men have heels that add anywhere from a half-inch to two inches of height. This makes them a great option for anyone trying to look taller. Functional: Cowboy boots come from a long history where they served the practical purpose of allowing men to ride comfortably in the saddle for long periods without slipping. Style: At a distance, cowboy boots look like regular leather shoes. Up close, they feature styles that are so varied you can hardly find another pair of the same design. Comfort: Cowboy boots are made to be comfortable enough to wear all day. But, there is a caveat: like with most shoes, they should fit your feet correctly for optimal comfort and foot support. Versatility: While modern-day boots are still on the same level of quality as their predecessors — in a way that they were made to handle the rigors of manual labor — they are also sleek and versatile enough to look appropriate in casual wear and formal wear. Source: Unsplash 5 Types of Cowboy Boots For Men For most shoe purchases, we often already have a specific style and color in mind. However, boot shopping is different. With the many styles, materials, and variations out there, things can get confusing. Sometimes, you can’t truly appreciate them until you try them on. Material Cowboy boots are originally made from leather, making them flexible and highly durable. It can range from traditional options like cowhide to exotic leathers like that of an ostrich. Cowhide Leather is used primarily to make a reliable, practical, no-nonsense pair of work boots. Although cheaper than most other options, it is extremely durable and built to last. Ostrich Leather is regarded to be the highest-quality leather, distinct for having visible bumps where the feathers were plucked. It is durable yet supple. It breathes quite well and has natural oils that make it resistant to cracking or drying. Snakeskin cowboy boots can be made from different snakes like pythons and rattlesnakes. Although durable, they require a higher level of maintenance — regular application of leather conditioner is necessary to keep the scales supple. Goat Leather has a porous surface that makes it soft, breathable, and lightweight. It is also naturally water-resistant due to the presence of lanolin, a waxy grease produced by goat skin. Alligator Leather is a mark of luxury. It is prohibitively expensive to some, but this exclusivity is part of its allure. It has a natural scale pattern that is widely sought-after in the fashion industry. Style The earlier versions of men’s cowboy boots were the most iconic. Their silhouette had a slanted, one-inch heel with toes that can either be round or pointed. The shaft usually reached the mid-calf with heavily embroidered details or fabric inserts. As time went by, cowboy boots have undergone various transitions. This resulted in a few of the most distinguished styles that we still see today including traditional western boots, roper boots, and work boots. 1. Traditional Western Boots A western boot is the original cowboy boot that puts function over style. It is usually made from cowhide leather and has a shaft that reaches about mid-calf. Its heel is about 1 to 2 inches tall, bringing the total boot height to approximately 12 inches. It can have a round or pointed toe, which either way looks as good in the saddle as it is on the dance floor. 2. Roper Boots A roper is a version of traditional western boots that were intentionally made to be practical and comfortable. The heel is lower and the shaft is shorter than traditional cowboy boots, stopping just below the calf. They also have a round toe for added ease when walking or running long distances. 3. Work Boots Work cowboy boots draw inspiration from standard safety shoes, consisting of various safety features to keep your feet protected while working. Think of steel-reinforced toes, padded insoles, mesh lining, and hardy rubber outsoles to ensure maximum protection and comfort for long hours. They have a bulkier build and wider, more rounded toes than other styles. 4. Dress Boots Dress boots are the fashionable version of humble cowboy boots. They are less about functionality and more about style, which means they are not particular to any style or design. But commonly, dress boots have pointed toes and higher heels. They usually feature embroidery or are made of higher-quality materials than the usual boots. 5. Buckaroo Boots Buckaroo boots are distinct for their bold, elongated shaft that measures 14 to 17 inches in height. The shafts are usually colorful with elaborate stitching and embroidery. So, you may consider tucking your jeans in to draw attention to this boot. 5 Types of Cowboy Boots for Men Boot Type Shaft Height Heel Toe Western Boots Mid-calf (approx. 12 inches) Slanted, 1 ½ inch Pointed or slightly rounded Roper Boots Mid-calf (7-10 inches) Block or slanted, 1 inch Rounded or squared Work Boots Mid-calf or lower (9-12 inches) 1 ½ or less Rounded or slightly tapered Dress Boots Varied Varied Varied, often slightly tapered Buckaroo Boots Below the knee or higher (14-17 inches) Slanted, 1-2 inches Rounded or squared Final Tips There’s no denying it — cowboy boots can be hard to pull off as you always run the risk of going full-on country. But, don't just save them for a music festival or a day at the ranch, wear them anyway. Just remember, the fail-proof way to wear cowboy boots in the city is by pairing them with a t-shirt and some loose-fit jeans. You can also throw on a pullover and a jacket for an effortlessly casual look. Did you like the featured cowboy boots? These are some of the most stylish and versatile options out there so you can easily mix and match them with your clothes.