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Do They Wear Cowboy Boots in Europe?
America, not Europe, might be the first place that comes to mind when you think of where people wear cowboy boots. I mean, that is where Texas is right? You may be surprised to learn how this iconic piece of American footwear first made its way across the Atlantic from Europe and then back again. This article will review the cultural variations and fashion trends so we can answer the question of do they wear cowboy boots in Europe.
Overall, cowboy boots may best be seen as a novelty or as part of a subculture in most European countries. They are not as broadly popular in Europe as they are in the United States, but you will encounter people who wear them for either their unique style or as a representation of their enjoyment of Western (Cowboy) culture. Fashion trends are diverse and ever changing, and the popularity of cowboy boots varies greatly from one country to the next. During your European travels, keep your eyes open for cowboy boots and observe how they integrate into the local culture.
History of Cowboy Boots
Origin of Cowboy Boots in Europe
You can trace the history of cowboy boots back to their roots in Europe. An early evolution would be the riding boots worn by horsemen in the 17th and 18th centuries. During this time, you would have seen Hessian boots – quite popular among military officers – which were known for their distinct diagonal cut on the vamp and the decorative tassels attached to the top of the boot. As a bit more time passes, the Wellington boot replaced the Hessian boot as the boot of choice for European riders. Wellingtons were practical, lower-cut and less decorative, offering riders more flexibility and durability in their boots.
The influence of these European riding boots made its way across the Atlantic to America, where they continued to develop and became part of the iconic cowboy attire in the 19th century as cowboy boots.
Evolution of Cowboy Boots in America
As these riding boots continued their progress on the American continent, cowboy boots underwent a further evolution. American soldiers began to wear a sturdier version of the Wellington boot during the Civil War, and after the war ended in 1865, these boots were further adapted for cowboy, rancher, and farm use. This time period was the beginning of the golden age of the Western cowboy era.
Also happening at the same time on the same North American continent the Mexican vaqueros also played an important role in shaping the future design of cowboy boots. The boots commonly worn by vaqueros then mixed with the traditional European riding boots resulting in the mix of features in the cowboy boots we recognize today. The complete and exact origin of the modern cowboy boot is somewhat unclear with numerous theories, but it emerged from a mixture of the Northern Mexico and American frontiers.
In the United States, the popularization of cowboy boots has a start with Charles Hyer, a German immigrant shoemaker, being commissioned by a Colorado cowboy to create a new pair of boots after the Civil War. These boots design quickly gained popularity among rodeo performers, ranchers, cattlemen, and herders and were a part of leading to the popular boots we see today.
Cowboy boots have a long history of development that crosses continents and cultures. While it is true that cowboy boots may not be as common of a sight in Europe today as other places, they have certainly left their mark on the world of fashion and footwear.
Cowboy Boots in European Fashion
Influence on European Designers
Cowboy boots have started to find their way back into European fashion in recent years, as we have seen some designers taking inspiration from the iconic cowboy boot. Shows in recent years have showcased some of their iterations of cowboy boots on the runway, which paved the way for further recent adoption in some European fashion circles. As a result, you can now find cowboy boots by renowned European designers being featured in major publications.
Trends and Popularity of Cowboy Boots in European Design
With this recent increase in popularity of cowboy boots in some European fashion, it is possible for you to find various colors, materials, and heights to suit your own personal style. It is becoming more common to see people pairing them with all kinds of different outfits including mini dresses, cut-offs, skirts, and jeans.
While cowboy boots are not yet a standard footwear choice for everyone in Europe, this uptrend will be interesting to follow over the next several years to see if they continue to be incorporated into contemporary fashion trends.
Bottom line it looks like you’ll be seeing more people who are comfortable wearing cowboy boots in Europe, even while others continue to prefer more traditional European styles.
Regional Variations
Do they wear cowboy boots in the United Kingdom?
Cowboy boots are not commonly worn in the United Kingdom so you might not see many people wearing them out and about. It is not unknown but will be more uncommon to see someone wearing cowboy boots in London. If you are looking you will still find unique styles and designs if you look for specific shops or online stores. Remember, it is perfectly fine to wear what you feel comfortable with, as long as it aligns with the general dress codes of the places you’re visiting. People are more likely to associate cowboy boots more with American culture than British.
Do they wear cowboy boots in Spain?
Spain has a rich history of cowboy culture and some of their own influences on cowboy clothing, including spurred boots, where influence can be traced back to the 12th-century Salamanca and Old Castile regions. Cowboy boots are not really a prevalent part of modern Spanish fashion it won’t be uncommon to encounter them in some rural settings or events that celebrate Spanish cowboy heritage.
In more urban areas wearing cowboy boots will not be the norm, but even there camperos are becoming more common in “urban country style” recently.
Do they wear cowboy boots in Italy?
Italy is well-known as a hotbed of fashion and style, but cowboy boots are not typically very popular or widespread. You would be most likely to find some fashion-forward individuals wearing them as a statement piece of their outfit, but there are enough people who wear them there that you shouldn’t expect to be completely surprised to see someone wearing them.
Do they wear cowboy boots in Germany?
It is not common to see cowboy boots worn as everyday wear in Germany.
Do they wear cowboy boots in France?
It would not be expected to see people wearing cowboy boots as part of their everyday outfit in France.
In most Scandinavian countries, cowboy boots will also be relatively uncommon sightings and you won’t see much of them in everyday encounters. While it is not the norm, you could still wear cowboy boots in Scandinavia as long as they are suitable for the occasion and setting.
Summary and Conclusion
Summing things up – it is not as common in Europe as in the United States to see cowboy boots worn as everyday footwear. However, they have been gaining more popularity recently as a fashion statement. You shouldn’t be surprised to find people wearing them occasionally, especially during events or in fashion-forward circles.
If you do decide to wear your cowboy boots in Europe, you can expect a good mix of attention and interest in your footwear, especially if you have an overall cowboy or Western style.
You can watch a Youtube video that is based on a summary of this article by going here: https://youtu.be/wD7ESBndwQg