How to Wear: Cowboy Boots

Dear La Couturier,

First let me start off by saying that I am head over heels, completely in love with your blog! However, you probably already know that. I have always adored your posts where someone will request something, and you will give them little tips. You give fabulous advice, by the way. So I thought that I would ask you for some advice myself. I just recently bought the Frye ‘Jane 14’ Tall Pull-On Boot at Nordstrom. I already had a pair of biker boots, so I thought that I would opt for something different. Now most days I dress very classy, but some days I love to go for the grunge-chic look. With that, I have made many outfits with my new boots that don’t look too “cowgirl”, which is what I was going for. So, that said, I was wondering if you could give me some tips or outfit ideas so I could have your perspective on how to wear my new boots. I understand that you are very busy and probably get hundred of these requests, so I understand if you can’t help me.

Thank you for taking your time to read all of this! 🙂

– laur @ neonmango

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{image source: 4 t h  a n d  b l e e k e r }

The cowboy boot has ventured into the shoe racks deemed trend-forward, creeping its way to a spot between much-adored and sought after biker boots. At what point the cowboy officially became popular once more lies in the gray area – but there is one thing that we do know without a doubt. They have made their comeback.

By no means does the aforementioned statement mean that this particular shoe is for everyone; depending on taste and personal style, your liking (or disliking) for the cowboy boot will differ. For most it is a love or hate situation; some adore the nostalgic reference to the southwestern culture of the United States; others look over it as (and I shall be rather blunt with this) tacky and irrelevant. I have neither extremities in feelings for this trend – I will, however, only admire it on others from afar.

But incorporating such a shoe is, by no means, easy. It so happens to be one of those pieces that either makes or breaks an outfit. An outfit “gone wrong” (again, this is all personal opinion) could result in an exact (borderline tacky) rendition of those historical ranchers. Yet when worn “right”, the effect is undoubtedly and undeniably chic.

The boots in question? The Frye “Jane 14” Tall Pull-On Boots. The perfect blend of the classic boot with a touch of western.

.   .   .

{uptown & sophisticated.}

{ chickdowntown, net-a-porter, nordstrom }

• • Balance. Perhaps you tire of me being repetitive in my constant usage of the word in dishing my style advice, but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of it not just in creating ensembles, but also in life. The key to a successful and seemingly timeless ensemble – regardless of what current trends are incorporated into the look – is indeed balance. The typical cowboy boot nearly screams “LOOK AT ME!” in its unmistakably southern drawl. So tone it down with something sophisticated. The Rachel Pally batwing top is quite ideal: part ethereal and wholly sophisticated.

Dark skinny denim. The darker the wash, the dressier denim becomes. Tailored dark skinnies are the best choice of bottoms when wearing cowboy boots; they instantly add an element of sophistication.

• Opulent gold. Again, I bring up my point of balance. Cowboys often evoke a casual-ness; add a bit of formality and (again) sophistication by juxtaposing that boot with gold jewelry. The more decadent, the better. Think Rachel Zoe and her armful of gold bangles and cocktail rings. Mm.

 

{ethereal romanticism & a tad western.}

{ chickdowntown, net-a-porter, forever 21, nordstrom }

• Seek inspiration from Chloé. Most picture Southerners clad in plaid shirts, ripped denim, and a straw denim at the mention of cowboy boots. Yet I (again, the odd one out) picture previous collections by Chloé – ad campaigns inclusive. Grassy fields with models in ethereal, billowing linen tops, the Paraty slung on their shoulders. Take heed from the creative director(s) at this design house – and add that cowboy boot.
• Think creams and neutrals for your color palette. It is simply the best way to balance (yet again) the ruddy red-brown of the [typical] cowboy boot. Variations of nudes, whites, and creams instantly soften the impact of the boot, adding a touch of feminism and dreaminess. Add light greys to add a bit of ground and solidity.

{ net-a-porter, nordstrom }

• Layers. Again, with inspiration taken from Chloé. I imagine layers of linen blouses and knits with cable knit scarves that reach the knees. And a knit beret in an olive-y cream. Ensemble revelation? Perhaps.
• High-waisted mini shorts. Paired with billowy tops, they add the perfect touch of sophistication and balance to knee high boots!
• Mix & match. In any other circumstance I would say “Match! Match! Match!” But this occasion calls for a bit of flexibility; I do admire the mismatched pairings of different shades of browns for that perfectly imperfect Chloé look.

{ net-a-porter, nordstrom }

.   .   .

bisous,

La C.

P.S.: This is ridiculously delayed, but sometime last week I had gotten a blog award from Cindy of True North Style in which she said “she deserves this just for introducing me to lollipop26, but on top of that she has an amazing blog!” Thank you so much for the blog award! (: It is imperative that all you lovelies visit her, she is absolutely amazing. I adore her & her blog!