By Vivian Ealy
Whether occupying a small cottage on a farm or an apartment in a bustling city, cowboy boots have made their appearance in mainstream fashion as they became a summer staple for many young people. Historically used as work shoes, these boots have followed in the path of Doc Martens – they’re now paired with low-cut jeans, mini skirts, flowy midi-dresses, going-out looks, and more. This western style has permeated modern couture for most of 2022, though considering the usual ebb and flow of clothing trends, these boots may meet their demise before the end of the year. The question is: are cowboy boots already disappearing from mainstream fashion looks? If so, why? And what shoe is replacing this iconic look?
To make something clear: cowboy boots will always be cool to me, and I plan to rock this western look for the foreseeable future. But, considering more mainstream fashion trends, are these boots out? This summer, they were all the rage–with celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Kendall Jenner, and Dua Lipa confidently sporting the look. Although celebrities are not the blueprint on which we should base our fashion trends, they are a fair indicator of what trends are contemporarily popular.
It seems these boots could stay for the cooler seasons, considering the wide range of styles they come in: a classic brown leather, a studded Y2K fashion, and a multitude of colors. Despite the plethora of options for a cowboy boot, it seems as though this trend has been exhausted this summer. I spotted people rocking cowboy boots at a variety of events: the mall, parties, and even designer runway walks. Obviously these boots are vogue and can pair with many types of outfits, but, did we overdo it?
Yes. Though still in fashion, it seems that cowboy boots are on their way out of style. This summer was a pivotal moment for these boots, but I think it has been exhausted, and high fashion is moving towards different styles of boots with the upcoming season change.
The combat boot will definitely start to come back this fall, especially platformed combat boots. Dr. Marten-style lace-up boots can be paired with anything, and they are a contemporary look for the fall season. I have also started to see knee-high boots reemerge and I believe they will be all the rage this fall. Their versatility allows for an array of styles and they can be flattering on anyone. Kaia Gerber and Hailey Bieber were already seen with monochrome knee-high-boot looks and Dua Lipa was recently seen donning a black platform combat boot.
It’s no question that a boot is always a good idea, but the specific style is often put to question. As the seasons change and the weather gets cooler, it seems the fashion world is beginning to move towards a simpler, sleeker look.
Though the trends seem to be changing (not for me, though), the cowboy boot fad was a catalyst for more niche styles of shoes. Often in the past, a particular type of shoe was popular: Adidas Superstars, Air Force Ones, etc. However, the cowboy boot mania introduced fun and unconventional ways to amp up an outfit with a different style and silhouette for everyone from fashion connoisseurs to the mainstream consumer.
