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History has it that the western cowboy boot came about after the civil war when many southerners migrated to Texas taking with them their noble footwear – the Wellington Boot. At that time, the Wellington had a low cut heel that was calf high. It was quickly adopted by the Texans who gave their own western interpretation to this footwear – hence, the western cowboy boot. Today, the Western cowboy boot is a staple in fashion all the world over.
In 1954, the western boot changed to keep in stride with the growing popularity of the rodeo. A lower heel and rounder toe was necessary to accommodate the wear and tear competitors required to compete. By the 70's television and theater influenced the western boot “look” and style and fashion trends took hold. Some have high heels and pointed toes, while others stick with tradition and have a lower heel and a rounded toe for the true cowboy.
Custom-made western cowboy boots take about 45 hours to make. These hours of labor are reflected in the price of a pair of western boots, because prices can be steep. Colors range from traditional browns and blacks to red, blue and gray. Decorations include the toe wrinkle and stitch lines across the toe top seem to be popular additions. There are different types of the western boot including the Roper that has a shorter shaft, rounded toe and straight, low heel. The Packer is a high boot with laces and the Lacer is, in fact, a lace up.