Thursday, February 25, 2010

PFF - Cowboy Boots



Just for kicks, I have been rounding up some of my cowboy postcards this week. I am kicking off my cowboy week (weeks?) with this kick-ass postcard display of kicky cowboy boots. ("Cowboy week" is an idea I got from the Postcards From the Dinner Table blog's cowboy week.)

Before the 1860s, the Wellington boot style was popular with cowboys in the United States. Although cowboy boots evolved into a fashion statement, their distinctive style elements had utilitarian origins. Pointy toes were made so that the foot could fit into the stirrup more easily. Big underslung heels helped keep the foot in the stirrup and could also be dug into the ground. Tough knee-high leather protected legs and ankles. Outside stitching on the boots kept the leather from buckling. Long mule-ear straps were used to pull the boots on. The boot tops were loose so that the foot could be wiggled out if the cowboy was hung up in the stirrup.

Now that you've learned all about cowboy boots, it's time to kick back and kick up your heels with the Cowboy Boots song:



More information:

CowboyBoots.com

Cowboy Boot (Wikipedia)

15 comments:

Karen said...

Incredible collection of boots!! Can't wait to see what other cowboy postcards you have, too!

jeanne said...

Hello Postcardy, love your great boot post today. I also enjoyed your little history of boots. I never gave it a thought. The boots sure are pretty, even if they were also useful.

Hugs, Jeanne

Snap said...

What fun! Next week the Livestock Show and Rodeo starts here. This helps to get me in the mood! Happy PFF!

Linda said...

I always wondered why the heels were angled that way, and the toes so pointy! (But then, I'm a city kid). Funny how the style persists for people who never mount a horse! Happy PFF!

Kymberly Decker said...

I love cowboy boots! Used to wear them all of the time! I 'd like to have all of them--they are so colorful and would be so much fun to wear--a different pair for every day!!

Thanks for the history behind the card--very interesting!

Thank you, Kymberly,

Lyneen said...

Too much fun, love the boots and the ad is a HOOT... cowboy boots have history all their own!! Thanks for stopping by. PPF!

Clytie said...

I never stopped to think about all of the little details that make cowboy boots what they are. Wonderful colorful card too!

Chris Overstreet said...

Ditto. That's a lot of engineering for a boot!

Patricia's Paper Crafts said...

Great collection of boots and that ad from way back in the day thank you for sharing.

viridian said...

Happy trails, and Happy PFF!

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I had a boss who had worked in Texas for years and was very proud of his cowboy boots. He came to work in the boots, plus a ties and hat to match one day. It caused quite a stir in the south of England!

Stacey said...

What fun! Love the boot history... And your last post was great! Love how you combined the postcard with the object. You must have a large collection of postcards to be able to do that! And the pyrography box was beautiful. I've never seen one that was factory made. Have a great weekend!

steviewren said...

Love the card. I had no idea that something so good looking was also so functional.

Mary said...

Wonderful post, Postcardy. The boots are awesome and the utilitarian description of their features even better. Thanks!

Lay Hoon aka mescrap said...

Happy PFF !! THis is such a gorgeous collections of boots !!