News feed
The fashion world has officially gone wild for the west. With big-stakes labels like Isabel Marant, Calvin Klein 205W39NYC, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Chloè and Coach 1941 all putting their own spin on the Urban Cowgirl trend, it’s never been cooler to unleash your inner cowgirl – actual horses optional.
While the prairie dresses we saw on the Isabel Marant and Chloè runways were pretty, and Spell and the Gypsy’s printed maxi dresses never go out of style, the easiest way to embrace this trend for summer is with a chic urban cowboy boot. There are plenty of variations on the classic cowboy style now too, with everything from buckles to skyscraper block heels and animal prints raising the stakes.
Here are 12 different styles to suit every wannabe urban cowgirl and her fluctuating budget.
1. THE WE-WISH ONES: ISABEL MARANT
Is it the cone heel on these Western-style Lamsy ankle boots that steals hearts or vintage-inspired tan leather? Maybe it’s the metallic toe cap and detailed heel spur that appeals? Either way, these boots boasting Isabel Marant’s signature cone heel would work with anything: jeans, micro-mini skirts or maxi-dresses. If a girl could dream…
ISABEL MARANT, LAMSY LEATHER ANKLE BOOTS, $1835. SHOP NOW
2. THE AUTHENTIC ONES: JUSTIN BOOTS
Keep it real in a worn-out looking classic, as authentic and outlandish as they are edgy. Justin Boots is a US-based brand renowned for its classic western footwear that won’t break the bank. The beauty in this style is they’ll look better and better the more they’re battered. Ride ’em now girl.
JUSTIN BOOTS, WOMEN’S CLASSIC WESTERN BOOT NARROW SQUARE TOE, $228. SHOP NOW
3. THE BUCKLED-UP ONES: TOGA PULLA
Is it a shoe-boot, a high heel, a cowboy kick or a biker pump? Who really cares when it looks this good. These ankle-high boots with metallic trimmings and fringed detail will add four more fabulous inches to your height but are still sturdy enough to walk in all day – or dance in all night.
TOGA PULLA, BLACK FIVE-BUCKLE HEELED WESTERN BOOTS, $625. SHOP NOW
4. THE DECONSTRUCTED ONES: JEFFREY CAMPBELL
These utilitarian calf boots with khaki calico and tan leather detailing are neutral with a punch. An ideal colour for summer, they’re perfect for teaming with crisp whites cotton and greys. Their price is pretty tasty too.
JEFFREY CAMPBELL, DECONSTRUCTED WESTERN BOOT, $210. SHOP NOW
5. MINIMALIST ONES: VALENTINO GARAVANI
Here’s proof a cowboy boot can still be chic and elegant. This Italian leather ankle boot by Valentino Garavani (the brand, not the man) is subtle enough to wear with a pants suit with enough cheeky embroidering to be bohemian… in a polished city-girl kind of way. Better still, you’ll find it at half the usual price right now on The Outnet link below.
VALENTINO GARAVANI, COWBOY BOOTS, NOW $895 (FROM $1790) AT THE OUTNET. SHOP NOW
6. THE SNAKESKIN ONES: ZIMMERMANN
Regularly seen of late on Australian designer and sports-luxe icon Pip Edwards, these faux snakeskin cowboy boots (as in sans snake, but still real Brazilian leather) cowboy boots from the Zimmermann Autumn/Winter 2018 runway collection are industry lust-haves. A little rock chick with a whole lotta urban cowgirl attitude.
ZIMMERMANN, COWBOY MID BOOT, $950. SHOP NOW
7. THE BOHEMIAN ONES: THERAPY
Let us list the many ways in which we love thee(se). Microsuede in camel beige with textured embroidery and a 4cm stacked heel, these are the perfect partners for micro shorts and mini-dresses this summer when you’re sick of chunky sneakers and pool slides. The sub-60-dollar price tag is almost too good to be true, too.
THERAPY, BAYOU COWBOY BOOTS IN CAMEL, NOW $59 (FROM $90) AT THE ICONIC. SHOP NOW
8. THE IRONIC ONES: OFF-WHITE
Virgil is what Virgil does and in this case, there’s no missing the signature Abloh touch. These high Western boots with silver-toned toe-caps are the epitome of modern and classic. Hot tip: team with skin-tight faded jeans and a thin white tee, sleeves rolled to shoulders and you’ll be set to stop traffic.
FF-WHITE, FOR WALKING COWBOY BOOTS, $2581 FROM MYTHERESA. SHOP NOW
9. THE METALLIC ONES: JEFFREY CAMPBELL
These boots see the cowboy trend collide with another huge seasonal trend in a dream fashion mash-up. Metallic silver fabrics also dominated the Autumn Winter 2018 runways and work almost universally with every other colour: black, white, denim, red, even neon. Made of cowhide with a rubber sole, they’re insanely comfortable despite the height.
JEFFREY CAMPBELL, VOLCANIC WESTERN BOOTS, $372 AT SHOPBOP. SHOP NOW
10. THE PUNK ROCK ONES: R13
Okay, so we’re the first to concede this pair will divide opinion, but hear us out. Since Chris Leba (the former Vice President of Ralph Lauren) launched his grunge-inspired label R13 in 2016, he’s gathered a steady fan-based for his tattered, punk-rock clothes and 90s-inspired accessories. These boots, while more grunge than glam, fit perfectly with the more-is-more, OTT mood that rules fashion right now. At the very least, you’ll get them talking…
R13, COWBOY BOOTS WITH DENIM SLEEVE, $1958. SHOP NOW
11. THE UNDERSTATED SLIDE ONES: ZARA
Here’s a more sedate option for ladies who just can’t do boots in the warm weather, or who want to reference the cowboy vibe in a way more subtle way. These Zara slides have a raised clog heel with western-inspired stitching and pointed toe, a nod to the trend without suffocating your ankles.
ZARA, BLACK CLOG WITH WESTERN HEEL, $90. SHOP NOW
12. THE SKYSCRAPER ONES: SAINT LAURENT
Were these boots made in patent black, they’d be more sexy rock chick than cute cowgirl. That’s the beauty of Anthony Vaccarello’s timeless designs. Part of his second ready-to-wear collection for the French house formerly ruled by Hedi Slimane, these smooth-leather tan boots with a super-high Cuban heel are chic and classic with an authentic western touch. Très Magnifique!
Saint Laurent, Theo Raw-edge cowboy boot, now $ (from $) at MatchesFashion.com. SHOP NOW
Tile image: Pip Edwards wearing Zimmermann cowboy boots. (Credit: Instagram @pip_edwards)
