Cowboy boots-are they back

Check out the UK GQ from December (or January?). I don't know if the boots the "rock and roll" guys are wearing are strictly cowboy boots, but they look pretty cool. On the other hand, they are pulling off a look that's pretty difficult to do in real life (blazer, t-shirt or loose button up, distressed jeans and boots - lots of guys try this a little too hard. The secret is to be tall and lanky - definitely a no no for muscleheads - and have good bedhead.) I can't do it, but I admire those who can.

I think cowboy boots are more of a regional thing. If your from Texas, then they'll never be out of style. On the other hand, if your from New York City or New England area, I doubt they were ever in.

Cowboy boots are DEFINITELY back. I work for a men's magazine, and we're seeing cowboy boots in all the new fashion lines. They are stylish, and ultra-masculine. A man in jeans and cowboy boots exudes confidence and style. Look for a black lizard skin pair, and you'll look great.

Which men's magazine, Alex, if I could be so bold as to ask? I was in Texas in Nov and wore my gray pit vipers and was told pointy toes (called ropers) are out? But the woman who told me that was a "yankee" living in Austin who'd moved there from Mass. So can I feel safe bringing them on my next trip down there- LOL?

Actually Steve, Ropers have rounded toes. But yeah, they're classic, and look great w/jeans.

Alex: What are the pointy toed ones called?

Steve, Those pointed toe boots are referred to as a "J" toe, or a narrow toe.As opposed to an "R" toe,or rounded/medium toed boot. Ropers are more round,both across the top of the foot,and around the circumference of the vamp of the boot.

Thank you, guys.

Cowboy boots are in whenever rock and roll is in. However, as LA Guy said, you have to be able to pull off the rockstar chic before even attempting to wear cowboy boots, which are a definitive part of that look. If you want good boots, try to find some of the old DG ones from last years summer collection. I think they were in UK GQ around that time if you want an idea of what I am talking about. However, before even thinking about buying a pair, make sure that you can pull off the look. Either that, or move to Dallas, where i've heard it is an accepted practice as long as you wear a rawhide leather jacket along with them. A word of warning: due to the often homophobic attitudes of the general American populous, the rockstar look will get a lot of incredibly uncultured remarks slung in your direction. If you can't deal with this, only don your boots, energie jeans, and Cavalli top when going out clubbing. I hope that helped. --European Interloper

From what I'm seeing, cowboy boots are definitely on the way back. From clubs in NYC to just casual wear with jeans, cowboy boots make a fashion statement, as well as let you know that the man wearing them is ultra confident. Cowboy boots look HOT with jeans................ Wear your boots with pride.

Last winter, I tried on a pair of Chelsea boot-height cowboy thingies that Versace was showing, and could not stop laughing when I looked in the mirror. Maybe cowboy boots are only for white folks... Peace, JG

I have a few pairs of cowboy boots myself"”I can do the "rock star" look. While the big name designers occasionally come up with a cool variation (my vintage Paciotti-designed Versace ankle boots come to mind, as do a weird pair of Junior Gaultier cowboy boot/soccer shoe hybrids that are a hoot), I think the best bet is to go with the real thing: American-made by a company with a venerable history. My pick is Lucchese; I have a pair of black cherry full quill ostrich Lucchese ropers, which are more subtle than they sound. I also have some blue ostrich boots, some tan anacondas (well, I think it's anaconda), and some pearl gray boots. I'd love to get more, especially exotics. I really want black stingray boots, and maybe cognac anteater. But, um, I'm a little strange that way.

NOOOOOO.......\\

If I hated cowboy boots, I think I would wear them just to tick you off. But, seriously, there are a few points to address here. First, not everyone who either listens to country music or is from south of the Mason Dixon line is a "hick." Granted, there's some pretty schlocky country pop crossing over into "mainstream" radio, but it doesn't suck any worse than the boy bands, teen divas, whiny frat boys and throaty Pearl Jam wannabes that make up most of the rest of that desolate audio landscape. Second, being "funky and fashionable" is only partly about wearing what other people would wear or would like to wear. In fact, if you limit yourself to what fits in that category, you're a mere slave to trends, and while you might be considered fashionable, you won't be very funky, and you'll never have style. Making others think you look good by simply catering to their expectations is no great accomplishment. Anyone can nick a look from a catalog, ad, or GQ spread and look decent. Now, making people think you look good when you put a twist on their expectations, or outright defy them: that's artful. And, when you do that, some people will probably think you look like crap. As long as you can still walk the walk (which takes some doing in underslung heels), the joke's on them, not on you. By the way, I don't believe there's any article of clothing you can wear that will actually make you stupid. However, if you're neither a country star nor an oil magnate, wearing cowboy boots with a suit would come close.