What to Wear With Cowboy Boots
When thinking about what to wear with cowboy boots, modern boot styles, colors, and design present ample options for all tastes and personalities.
There no better time to be a fan of Wild West-inspired fashion. With new styles ranging from dressy cowboy boots to rugged and distressed boots for that “had ‘em for years” look, there’s a cowboy or cowgirl boot to fit any taste. Modern cowboy boots aren’t just for riding. Now they can be worn with dresses, shorts, or even a suit. But don’t skimp on your purchase. Treat them like an investment, and your boots will last you for years.
Women: What to Wear With Cowgirl Boots
The Best Tops to Wear With Cowgirl Boots
When choosing a top to wear with your cowgirl boots, avoid ones that have sequins or fringe. Aim for something simple and classic and let your boots do all the talking. When deciding what to wear with cowgirl boots, you want to either complement or contrast colors, while avoiding clashing textures. That means if you’re wearing leather embroidered cowgirl boots, you probably shouldn’t wear a fur shawl with them.
What Pants to Wear With Cowgirl Boots
Oftentimes the biggest question on what to wear with cowgirl boots comes down to jeans. The pants you wear with your cowgirl boots will either cover the shaft of the boots, for a more subtle look, or put your boots on full display. There are a few general style rules to follow: If you’re wearing long pants or jeans, avoid tucking them into your boots unless they are skinny jeans, leggings, or other pants that fit close to the skin. Baggier, looser pants should be worn over the boots. This includes boot-cut jeans or any pants with a flared leg.
When wearing shorts with cowboy boots, the length is important. Longer shorts that fall right above the knee pair well with buttoned or collared tops for a more modest look. Short shorts, on the other hand, create a young,playful vibe and go great with T-shirts and tank tops when paired with cowgirl boots.
You could also consider a pair of short cowgirl booties, which add a bit of flair to jeans, shorts, and dresses.
How to Wear Cowgirl Boots With Dresses
When thinking about what to wear with cowgirl boots in the summer, dresses are probably the first thing that comes to mind. If you already have a good pair of boots, finding the right dress to wear with them is easy. Similar to picking out a top to wear with your cowgirl boots, you’ll want to avoid contrasting textures. Likewise, steer clear of dresses that fit snugly around the legs (like pencil skirts and body-con numbers). Aim for knee length but go with whatever makes you feel most confident.
What Accessories to Wear With Cowgirl Boots
When it comes to accessorizing your outfit with cowgirl boots, simple is better. Try wearing a few understated accessories to complement your boots, avoiding flashy costume jewelry. For a more casual look, ditch the accessories completely and stick with a basic top and jeans.
Men: What to Wear With Cowboy Boots
What Looks Good With Cowboy Boots?
In general, what looks good with cowboy boots are clothes with similar textures but contrasting colors. Urban cowboys, this is your time to shine. Now more than ever, cowboy boots are appreciated as more than just ranchwear. When deciding what to wear with cowboy boots, keep your clothes simple. Solid colors or simple patterns are your friend. Choose hues that aren’t too saturated or bright, and if your boots have contrasting stitching, try incorporating that color into the rest of your outfit for an eye-catching ensemble.
What Pants to Wear With Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots and denim have gone together for over a hundred years. Functional, versatile, and comfortable, a good pair of jeans is a must-have for pairing with your cowboy boots. For a style you can wear both day or not, try darker blue or gray-wash jeans with your favorite pair of cowboy boots. As their name suggests, boot-cut jeans are specifically designed to be worn with boots: They’re slightly flared from the knee down to create extra room for the shaft. If you want to go a little dressier, wear your cowboy boots with slacks, just make sure not to tuck them into your boots.
Western Belts: Yes or No?
When thinking about what to wear with cowboy boots, the quintessential Western belt buckle probably came to mind. While men’s Western belts may be known for having large and ornate belt buckles, they’re actually more commonly seen with modest, engraved buckles paired with braided, studded, or hand-tooled leather belts. Whether or not to wear a Western belt with your cowboy boots is up to you and may ultimately come down to where you live. In New York City, you might want to opt for a simple black or brown leather belt, whereas in rural areas, you could go with a more traditional Western style.
Wearing Cowboy Boots With a Suit
When people ask what to wear with cowboy boots, the answer is typically not “a suit.” But thanks to more relaxed office dress codes, you don’t have to be a cattle tycoon to wear cowboy boots and a suit to work anymore. In fact, a well-made pair of cowboy boots can complement just about any suit, as long as you follow the rules of color matching in the table below.
The most versatile cowboy boots you can own is a black pair, as they’ll match with any solid suit color. Brown cowboy boots pair perfectly with shades of gray and blue, and tan cowboy boots work with lighter colored suits. Wear a solid colored tie that matches your suit—or go without one for a modern, business-casual look. Rule of thumb: Your belt should always match your shoe color, and your tie should match your suit.
The Rules of Cowboy Boot Color Matching for Men
- Black Suit/Clothing - YES!
- Charcoal - YES!
- Gray - YES!
- Light Gray - YES!
- Navy/Blue Clothing - YES!
- Brown Clothing - YES!
- Charcoal - YES!
- Gray - YES!
- Light Gray - YES!
- Navy/Blue Clothing - YES!
- Brown Clothing - YES!
- Light Gray - YES!
The trick to pulling off cowboy boots with a suit is to maintain and care for your cowboy boots properly. That means cleaning, conditioning, and polishing them regularly following our cowboy boot care guide. A well-kept pair of cowboy boots will last years—and probably even outlast the suits you wear them with!
How to Wear Cowboy Boots for a Night Out
What to wear with cowboy boots for a night out? Cowboy boots can be a stylish part of your wardrobe, even if they’re not common in the area where you live. To wear your cowboy boots for a night out on the town, pair them with a dark pair of jeans, a solid colored shirt, and a bomber or Harrington jacket. Try a blazer for a smart-casual look, or give yourself an edge with a T-shirt and leather jacket.
How to Wear Cowboy Boots Without Looking Country
To wear cowboy boots without looking too country, choose modern clothing styles over flannel or other Western-inspired clothing. Look for brown or black cowboy boots with a short, straight heel, instead of the angled one you find in traditional boots. Wear them with darker colored jeans or slacks, along with a dress shirt, styled casually like it’s the end of a workday with cuffed sleeves and an unbuttoned neck.
When cared for properly, cowboy boots can be an exceptional addition to your shoe collection. Cowboy boots are made with the best materials and have become more versatile and fashion-forward in recent years. Take care of your cowboy boots, and they’ll take care of your feet.
