Here at the University of Oklahoma, you will find a pair of cowboy boots in nearly everyone’s closet.
Wearing them to class isn’t really the norm (unless you’re a frat boy and are also rocking a Columbia fishing shirt and backwards Ralph Lauren Polo hat), but girls here save them for occasions like home football games and country concerts.
At OU, cowboy boots signify that you’re ready to dance and have a great time. I’ve had the same pair all through college, and the more beat-up they get, the more comfortable they feel!
Though cowboy boots aren’t unusual in parts of the midwest and the south, in many regions of the United States (and in other countries) these boots can be a neat way to make your outfit stand out. This week’s challenge is to see cowboy boots as a fashion statement rather than just a part of a costume.
Need to brush up on how to rock cowboy boots without looking ridiculous? Read on!
Table of Contents
Tips and Tricks for Pulling off Cowboy Boots
- Consider the material and color. Suede boots look great, but are really difficult to maintain. Leather boots are the most classic, and they come in every color, the most popular options being black, brown, white, and red. I prefer boots that are made to be worn out, but some girls like styles that are more structured and formal.
- Think about the style and shape. Pointed toes look the most authentic, but a rounded or square toe might make the boots more versatile. Calf-length cowboy boots are the most traditional, but ankle boots will give your outfit a nice boho-chic aesthetic.
- Consider your budget. Forever 21 and Payless have cheap pairs that will be perfect if you only plan on wearing them every once in awhile. However, if you plan on having your cowboy boots for a long time, it’s worth the splurge for a nice pair. They’ll mold to your feet and become one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes in your closet!
- Try them under your jeans. This is the way to go if you’re hesitant about wearing them out and about. They’ll give you a bit of a height boost and make your butt look tiny. Obviously this won’t work with your skinnies – cowboy boots will look best under boot cut or flared jeans.
- Flaunt them by wearing them over a pair of skinny jeans, jeggings, leggings, tights, or bare legs!
- Keep them from looking costume-esque by refraining from wearing double denim, plaid shirts, a fringed vest, or your Daisy Dukes with them. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but the gingham dress/pigtails/cowboy boots look only works on occasions like Halloween.
- Dress them up by wearing them with a dress! Cowboy boots will look great with almost any casual dress you own.
- Keep the rest simple. Cowboy boots make enough of a statement on their own — let them have the spotlight by keeping the rest of your outfit relatively basic.
Outfit Inspiration
Dress, Boots, Bracelets, Ring, Cardigan
A simple dress and cardigan will look awesome with a pair of ankle-high, vintage-inspired cowboy boots. The bulk around your ankles, combined with the amount of leg revealed will make your gams look so slender! Finish with a stack of bracelets and a cocktail ring.
Sweater, Jeans, Earrings, Boots, Necklace
A lacy knit jumper and skinny jean combo will look casual and chic with a pair of worn-out cowboy boots. Add extra interest with cute earrings and an owl pendant necklace.
Dress, Ring, Jacket, Boots, Tights
In fickle spring weather, tights will keep you warm and make a pair of cowboy boots pop! Pair them with a dress and denim jacket, and finish with some cute jewelry.
CF Reader Looks
Emily Duckworth- Indianapolis, IN
I love my Lucchese cowboy boots! I’ve had them for about 3 years and really like them paired with skirts and dresses. For class, I put together my favorite pink cotton dress, brown tights, and a open front brown dressed up vest. I kept the accessories simple with the locket.
Rocked the Challenge? Send in Photos!
Did you wear cowboy boots this week? Before taking them off and stashing them, take a couple snapshots and send them to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion.net along with your name, school, a description of what you’re wearing, and the URL of your blog if you have one. We’ll feature your photos here to inspire other CF readers.
We can make you a celebrity overnight. 🙂
What Do You Think?
Do you have a pair of cowboy boots? What are your favorite things to wear with? What fashion challenges would you like to see in the future? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment!
Being from Vancouver and going to school here, I don’t see cowboy boots very often. I must admit, I’m not really a fan. I don’t really like country music or anything so I’ve never had an occasion to wear them! That being said, I think the second outfit is super cute :). Definitely a helpful post, cowboy boots are tricky to pull off!
I love my cowboy boots! I ordered mine online for only 19.99 – they are very comfortable, with a little wedge, and versatile. I’ve worn them with skinny jeans, under bootcut jeans, with a dress and with leggings, they look great in all seasons.
@Sam What part of Texas are you from? there are SOOO many texas kids at OU, and all the boys refer to them as just “boots” and wear them with suits too!
Some girls like having a big booty, thank you very much! haha
Oh also something not mentioned in the article: I think boots look wonderful with chambray dresses and skirts.
Being from texas, I see people wearing boots all the time (in Texas we call them boots, not cowboy boots). Men even wear dress boots under suits. My family always gets our boots from this one factory outlet that’s authentic but far less expensive than the other boots of similar quality I’ve seen. I love my boots because they’re kind of unusual. They’re charcoal gray with dark yellow and magenta stitching. You can wear them with pretty much anything. I wear mine at least once a week. My boyfriend is a big Texan and he wears his at least twice a week and has two pairs. I usually wear mine over skinny jeans or under boot cut jeans like this article suggested. I personally like contrasting the structure of the boots with a light, cotton, flowy top.
Not a fan, sorry. They’re just a little too costume-y seeming for me.
I love how you’ve put these outfits together- i love the dress in the last outfit with the denim jacket- but like Paula, cowboy boots aren’t really very me!! maybe it’s to do with being British!!
Charlotte xxx
The outfits are very cute. However, I just don’t think cowboy boots fit with my personal style. I might have to try a way to incorporate them into a look though…
I love all of these outfits, especially the first two =P. definitely need to buy a pair of cowboy boots. I’ve wanted to forever but couldn’t find ones I loved in my size.
LOVE the look of cowboy boots. I still need to invest in a really good pair.
I have these but i dont know what to wear with them… I dont really have any casual dresses but I REALLy wanna wear them. HELP!
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aldoshoesshop.com/cpft/aldo-womens-boots-shoes-41SA6stns5L.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aldoshoesshop.com/aldo-pompa-clearance-womens-boots-13748.html&usg=__P_tllFNdXwUWFT2fDBf8eCmUIsk=&h=500&w=500&sz=24&hl=en&start=20&sig2=ExvY9fNw9spEwcwjgLduyQ&zoom=0&tbnid=UyIpmxaJp4XKtM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=125&ei=QtdvTd3gM4aBlAeBxcR_&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daldo%2Bcowboy%2Bboots%2Bwomen%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1138%26bih%3D555%26tbs%3Disch:10,569&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=330&oei=PtdvTZzDBMGAlAeywqGmAQ&page=2&ndsp=23&ved=1t:429,r:17,s:20&tx=38&ty=40&biw=1138&bih=555
I love cowboy boots! I own several pair.. I really like the ankle cowboy boots.
I do have cowboy boots and I bought them about two years back when now one wore them in our contry so I was quite exceptional with my skinny jeans in those boots. But I still love to wear them with leggins, jeans and my red coat. 🙂
I love it! It’s a wonderful post! 🙂
I go to the University of Calgary … EVERYONE wears cowboy boots out here. To class, to clubs, to concerts and to football games.
Incidentally, I don’t actually own a pair! So this is a great post for when I am going to buy some! Thanks!!