Western Boot Style Guide

Let’s face it: Western boots aren’t always the footwear you reach for first. Closet staples like sneakers and dress shoes have clearly defined uses, but the cowboy boot? If you’re not out wrangling cattle on the daily or hitting up the square dance hall on Friday nights, women’s or men’s Western boots might not seem like they have a place in your wardrobe.

We’re here to tell you that simply isn’t true. If the Western style calls to you, don’t ignore it. We’ve compiled a guide for everything Western boot — how to pick out the right boots and how to wear them once you’ve got them home. No matter if you’re shopping for men’s Western boots or women’s Western boots, we’ve got you covered.

The Anatomy of the Western Boot

Like any other specialty shoes, men’s Western boots are carefully made and are comprised of many different, special parts. Women’s Western boots come in an equal, if not greater, variety of styles, and we’ll go through all of them here. Once you identify your favorite type of each element, then you can build your ideal boot.

Shaft Height

The first thing you’ll want to pay attention to when you’re shopping for Western boots is how high up on your leg they go, or the shaft height. Some boots, especially trendy women’s Western boots, come just above the ankle. Those are far from the traditional 10- to 14-inch cowboy boots. For an even bolder look, you can go for the delightfully named buckaroo style, which goes even higher up on your leg.

Keep the ease of getting your boots on and off in mind when you’re selecting your ideal shaft height. There are some Western boots on the market with a zipper, but they’re pretty rare and definitely not traditional. So, that mostly means you’ve got to pull your boots on by your own bootstraps, and that might get a little tough with a taller shaft.

Heel Height

If you’re shopping for women’s Western boots, the height of the heel might not be a huge concern for you — if you’re used to stiletto heels, you probably won’t notice too big a difference between a one-inch heel and a two-inch heel. For men’s Western boots, however, it tends to be a bigger consideration. Either way, heel height is definitely something to pay attention to, and what’s comfortable for you will depend on your personal preferences.

The heel height on men’s Western boots typically doesn’t go above two inches, since that’s prime cowboy territory. (A cowboy boot’s heel is meant to make his foot stay in a stirrup better). Now, obviously, if you’re not planning on riding horses in your men’s Western boots, the heel height you opt for is more dependent on what you’re comfortable with. A proper two-inch cowboy boot can give you a nice little boost if you’re on the shorter side, or a much flatter pair of roper-style men’s Western boots can be a lot more comfortable if you have to be on your feet all day.

All this goes for women’s Western boots as well — a two-inch heel is common, but so are shorter heels. In a true fashion boot, they can go even higher. Consider how much walking you’ll do in your boots and go from there.

Heel Style

Height isn’t the only thing to be mindful of in the heel department. There are a whole host of different styles of heel as well. They can be slightly tapered, which gives the boots a more formal feel, or they can be more square, which provides more stability.

Most Western boot heels are made of wood, but sometimes they’re made of rubber to increase comfort. Rubber heels can help add a spring to your step if you do a lot of walking, and they can also be quieter than a wood heel if that’s an issue of concern.

Whether you’re shopping for men’s or women’s Western boots, keep your comfort level top of mind when selecting heel height, shape, and material.

Toe Shape

Much like the heel height, this one is huge for comfort. You want to pick a toe shape that is not only suited to your personal style but also to your foot. There are tons of different toe shape styles, but for the most part, they fit into three main categories: Rounded, pointed, and square.

A rounded toe is going to be the most conservative (and most forgiving) of the bunch. A pointed toe is just the opposite, and a square toe falls somewhere in the middle.

The pointed toe is a classic men’s Western boot style, and it’s one of the most popular. As such, there’s a wide variety within this category: A “snipped” toe is one that’s a bit more rounded, and a “needle toe” is one that’s sharply pointed. Needle toes are sure to make a splash for those of you looking to really wow with your Western boots.

The rounded toe is more casual and comfortable, while the square toe is a definite fashion statement. Any of these styles can be modified in a myriad of different ways, making your men’s or women’s Western boots one-of-a-kind.

Upper Material

Most Western boots are made out of leather, but did you know there is a wide variety of exotic leathers on the market? Sure, you can always go for the tried-and-true (and relatively affordable) classic cowhide, but imagine the heads you’ll turn walking around in a pair of ostrich-leather cowboy boots. Instant fashion icon. There are even boots made out of stingray. The possibilities are basically limitless for both women’s and men’s Western boots.

Those exotic materials will really set you back, though — we’re talking thousands of dollars. If that’s not exactly in your budget, we don’t blame you. Know that your boots can be super stylish even if you can’t spring for the ostrich.

Ornamentation

The appeal of women’s or men’s Western boots is in no small part due to their sometimes-flashy style. Sometimes the intricate stitching is done in a low-contrast color, so it doesn’t stand out as much, and sometimes the boots are absolutely dripping with fringe and appliqués.

You might naturally associate women’s Western boots with more eye-catching looks, but men’s Western boots have a long history of being just as heavily decorated. You can thank early Western movies for the fancy stitching and designs.

Whatever kind of ornamentation appeals to you, keep the boot pulls in mind when you’re shopping. They’re often little loops of fabric on the tops of the boots, and they’ll play a huge role in how easy your boots are to get on and off. The boot pulls can also take the form of holes punched in the boots to stick your fingers through. Try a pair of each and see which style you prefer.

Sole Material

Your ideal material here is going to hinge entirely on where you want to wear your boots the most. If you’re planning on dancing, a leather sole is a must. If, on the other hand, you’re going to wear your boots in an industrial environment, rubber soles are definitely the way to go.

Styling Tips

First of all, never forget that you should style your Western boots in a way that makes you feel comfortable and confident. If you want to go all out on cowboy attire at the grocery store, by all means, rock that bolo tie and Western boots combo. And if there’s a little less yee in your haw, don’t worry about toning down your outfit. It’s all about living your cowboy dreams in whatever form they take.

That said, sometimes your dreams need a little nudge to fully form. Or maybe you’ve exhausted all your ideas about what to wear with your cowboy boots and you need some new outfit inspo. We’ve got you covered.

How to Style Men’s Western Boots

There are many tried-and-true ways to style classic men’s Western boots. You simply cannot go wrong with a pair of blue jeans and a collared shirt. Boom, instant classic. Make sure the jeans are cut wide enough in the leg that they can easily flow over the boots. Tucking your jeans into the boots is definitely a bold choice, but if you’re going to go for it, rock a slimmer jean.

On top, it’s really all about how much of a cowboy cosplay you’re going for. Ten-gallon hats, bolo ties, and denim jackets might scream “Western wannabe” if worn all at once, so just bear that in mind when you’re forming your ‘fit. It’s always a safe bet to make your men’s Western boots the showpiece of the outfit, especially if they’re a more ostentatious style, so pairing them with more muted basics might be a good way to dip your toes into the Western wear category.

This is all dependent, of course, on where you’re wanting to wear your boots. Keep the specific dress code of the occasion in mind — you can go more ham without feeling out of place at a square dance, for example, than you would at a business meeting.

How to Style Women’s Western Boots

Women’s Western boots can offer a little more variety in the outfit department. Dress them up with classic pieces like a chic duster or a nice wool coat, go full “Hoedown Throwdown” with some cut-off shorts and a flannel shirt, or land anywhere in between. Whatever style speaks to you, that’s what you should go with.

After investing in a nice pair of women’s Western boots, you probably want to make them the statement piece in the outfits you pair them with. To keep the focus on your boots, the rest of the outfit should include basics in solid colors. You can’t go wrong with a black turtleneck, dark wash jeans, and your snazziest women’s Western boots. On the flip side, if you’ve got a more understated pair of women’s Western boots in your closet, you might want to jazz up the ensemble — maybe a zebra-print top or a brightly colored dress.

There are so many different styles of women’s Western boots that dreaming up an outfit to go with your boots can be a really fun and creative endeavor. Let your heart be your guide, and don’t be afraid to try something new.

Conclusion

Western boots are a classic style that absolutely have a place in your wardrobe even if you’re a city slicker. If it’s a style that appeals to you and you want to go out and buy a pair of women’s or men’s Western boots, first think of all the occasions where you’d like to wear your boots. Consider how much walking is involved and how important of a factor comfort is for you.

When you’re trying the boots on, pay special attention to the heels, toes, shaft, and sole. Inspect the materials each part is made of and make sure it’s up to your standards. If you’re shopping for men’s Western boots, heel height will probably be a main consideration — a full, two-inch heel might be a bit intimidating, but it is a classic cowboy look. Either way, try out different heel heights to figure out what works for you.

Styling your boots once you’ve got them home is another challenge entirely. Men’s Western boots can be pretty simple to style, if you want to go classic. Just a pair of jeans and a basic shirt, and you’ve got a great outfit. Women’s Western boots can be styled equally simply, since a cowboy boot is such a statement piece. Avoid putting together a bunch of Western-inspired pieces into one outfit unless you want to look like a cowboy Halloween costume. Of course, if you actually are trying to dress up in a cowboy costume, Western boots and all of the associated accessories are an absolute must.

If you’re looking for a bold addition to your everyday shoe arsenal, women’s or men’s Western boots can be a great choice. Keep all of these considerations in mind, and you’re sure to find a great pair that you’ll get a lot of use out of.