Get the ‘Cowboy Carter’ Look with the Best Cowboy Boots Made in the West
From the release of Beyonce’s new Cowboy Carter album to the enduring power of Yellowstone, here’s how to get the look of the new West.
“Anything but country,” used to be the cool-kid response when queried what type of music one listened to. But the genre is making a real comeback, especially with Beyoncé’s release of “Cowboy Carter.” Many, self included, would argue that cowboy culture never really left the chat. The allure of the Old West has had real staying power throughout the decades; the longstanding draw of dude ranches and brands like us here at Sunset, which has proudly covered the West for over 125 years, are a testament. But it’s hard to deny the recent takeover of cowboy style, in part thanks to the popularity of shows like Yellowstone and artists like Lil Nas X.
Perhaps it’s the romanticized connection that ranchers have with the land which is drawing the zeitgeist to working brands like Boot Barn and Carhartt. Or maybe it’s just that the bedazzled regalia of the rodeo is just plain fun in a time when things can feel, well, less than that. Whatever the root cause, it’s happening. Supermodel Bella Hadid has traded the runway for the rodeo, copping the yeehaw aesthetic in her new home of the Lone Star State. And in Hollywood’s red hot Vinyl District, a neighborhood known to house some of the city’s trendiest nightclubs, the queues for line dancing at Desert 5 Spot are snaking around the corner. They’ve even launched a pop-up of H Bar C so that clubbers can get gussied up in premium Western apparel before boot scootin’ on the dance floor. Stagecoach is the new Coachella, and country nights are popping up all over the place at major cities in the West.
In other words, cosplaying country is undeniably cool. So rather than opting into fast fashion, take this as an opportunity to invest in quality pieces from some of the region’s heritage makers. To get you started on building the look from the ground up, I’ve wrangled five of my favorite cowboy boot brands, from working boots that I’ve worn since my young years at Western riding horse camp to luxury makers that are on my splurge list.
Tecovas
These supremely stylish classic cowboy boots are handmade in León, Mexico, a town known for its craftsmanship in shoemaking. Being one with a wide foot bed, I’ve never owned a pair of boots I didn’t have to break in, but these fit right out of the box. The Annie comes in a stable of classic colors as well as some fun and funky patterns, but my personal favorite is the classic Sequoia hue, which can be shined up for a night out or be worn out on a trail ride.
Lucchese
If you’re a fan of “Pookie” on TikTok, you’ve no doubt heard her hubs Jett singing the praises of Luccheses. This Texas-born brand, which is known for its hand-stitched and tooled leather, makes incredibly gorgeous pieces. Founded in 1883 in San Antonio by Salvatore Lucchese and his brothers, all Italian immigrants from Sicily, the brand really has had staying power. They admittedly don’t come cheap, clocking around a grand a pair, but the craftsmanship speaks for itself.
Ariat
If you’re looking for something that straddles a practical-ish kicker (also known as a work boot) and a going-out boot (often referred to as Western or fashion boots), Ariat is a great option. I love that they come in square and round toes, giving more room for comfortable riding for those with a wider footbed.
Freebird
This Denver, Colorado-based boot maker prides itself on making wearable works of art. The intricate details and metalwork mean they don’t come cheap. But boots are something you can have for a lifetime if you take good care of them with conditioning and resoling. And Freebirds are Goodyear-welted, meaning you can do just that.
Tony Lama
Tony Lama is a longstanding American boot brand worth being familiar with, and their price ranges start out quite approachable. Lama was an Italian immigrant who started his company in 1912 as a small boot repair shop on East Overland Street in El Paso, later doing business as a cobbler with the soldiers at Fort Bliss. I have a pair of vintage Lamas that I’ve had for nearly 20 years that have been resoled twice, and I can attest that these truly stand the test of time.
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