The cowboy boot may be a fashionable accessory today, but many years ago, the cowboy boot was a practical necessity, and still is for some. Whilst the first cowboy boots origins isn't entirely clear, it is thought that they were first created during the 1800s in Texas or Kansas as a practical riding boot for cowboys in the post Civil War years. Since then, the cowboy boot has adopted many different styles; patterned, colourful and altogether fashionable, becoming an essential wardrobe accessory but all the while retaining some of it's Western roots.
The beginning of the cowboy boot can be pointed in several directions, with some believing that Genghis Kahn began the style having worn wooden heeled red boots. However, the cowboy boot could in fact have originated from a more simple item of footwear – the wellington. Similar in production qualities to the cowboy boot, the wellington came to be known after the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon in 1815, where he consequently gave his name to the knee-high boots that had been worn.
It was the wellington's simplicity and ability to be mass produced that saw it used as the practical footwear of soldiers during the U.S. Civil War. However, despite it being entirely practical for the soldiers during this period, many of them became dissatisfied with this style after the Civil War, feeling that the boots didn't suit long periods of riding through the bush.
Thus, legend tells that one cowboy believed with a few minor tweaks the wellington could become a much more practical and useful item of footwear. Taking his pair of boots the cobbler, the cowboy asked for a boot with a thicker heel, a longer shaft and a pointier toe.
He required a thicker heel to ensure his safety both on and off the horse and by having a small heel his foot would rest on the stirrup and it would prevent his entire foot from falling through the stirrup, something which could be dangerous if his leg got caught if he fell off the horse. Furthermore, the heel could be used as a grip on ground if they were tending to stubborn mules or rough, steep terrains. The longer shaft was required as better protection for their legs, whilst the pointier toe would allow an easier fit into the stirrup.
The cowboy boot was born – and soon became teamed with other practical elements, including a slick sole that also allowed the cowboy an easier dismount, tough leather for added durability and pull-on side tabs for easy on/off. Finally, the boots were also made slightly wider at the top to make the boots even easier to get off, offering the practical element that if their boot got stuck it could be easily removed to save them from injury.
Whilst the cowboy boot is now a more fashionable accessory it was initially only a luxury some cowboys could afford as each boot was custom-made to fit each individual foot. Cowboy boots also featured stitching on the outside; this was so there were no stitches on the inside of the boot that could cause rubbing.
However, this practical stitching also became a fashionable element as they took on Western patterns and bright colours and designs also became featured within. In fact, the cowboy boot soon became a big fashion statement, with many cobblers thinking that the bolder, more vibrant of boots, the better.
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