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Updated July 26, 2024: This guide to the best women’s cowboy boots was updated with new product releases and outfit ideas to wear from summer to fall.
Giddy up, cowgirls — Western wear is trending in a big way. Whether you’re saddling up, kicking up dust, or square dancing through city streets, the best cowboy boots for women were made for more than walking, and add instant flair to any look.
2024 is certainly the year of the cowgirl, and if we retrace our steps, there were plenty of signs it was on the way. Mass cultural moments like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’s blockbusting tours certainly played a hand in influencing city slickers to slip into rough-and-tumble point-toe boots, alongside other music movements like Kacey Musgrave’s album drop in March, and Lana Del Rey’s highly anticipated country-inspired album that’s slated to drop this fall. In fact, Beyoncé sparked searches early this year for ‘cowboy boots’ by 163 percent, according to a Boohoo report, while the term “Serving Cowboy Core” has racked up over 161 million views and searches on TikTok to date — yeehaw!
There’s no better time get your cowboy boots in a row, especially as fall (a.k.a peak boot season) approaches. Street style stars have been serving up tons of inspo all summer, too, from Emily Ratajowski to Sydney Sweeney, so if you’re not ready to put away your cute summer sandals quite yet, there are plenty of ways to sport the trendy Western boot before Labor Day. Bella Hadid, for one, has taken up competitive horse riding in her spare time, so her recent New York City street style is a natural mix of her high-styled roots with her cowgirl daydream — proving that just the additional of a cowboy boot can shift the entire personality of an ensemble.
The best cowboy boots always prioritize quality and function over fashion, which is good news because they’ll last as a lifelong investment. Brands like Tecovas, Boot Barn, Dingo, and Durango have perfected the style for real-life cowgirls who get down and dirty, while popular footwear brands like Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, Schutz, and Jeffrey Campbell have leaned into Western influences, with modern iterations of the beloved boots. That leaves you with many cowboy boot options to choose from, whether it’s classic Western block heels, rubber-soled boots that tread any terrain, or sleek stilettos — as well as ankle boot styles and high-calf cowboy boots.
Elizabeth Ruiz, women’s senior footwear designer at Tecovas, recommends considering these essential questions when you’re choosing the best cowboy boots: “Are [these boots] made by craftsmen who understand the techniques, design, and construction of authentic boots?” She stresses that, “fine leathers will stand the test of time in both durability and style, where leathers should be properly processed, not painted and corrected.” Look for thoughtful details like leather lining, ergonomic pull tabs, and unique stitch patterns. And always pay attention to the fit. “Women’s Western boots do not have zippers or laces,” she notes, “which necessitates that the consumer understand what to expect when they try on boots.” This means there are few opportunities for adjustments, and you should opt for a shoe that is supportive of your foot type.
To ensure you have the right fit, fashion stylist Audree López recommends paying attention to your toes. “You should be able to wiggle your toes, the shoe should feel snug on the widest part of your foot, and your heel should hit the back of the shoe without slipping out while you walk,” she says. You can expect leather to naturally soften while breaking them in, but if they are tight, go up a half size or look for a brand that offers a wider foot option. If you want a roomier toe box, she suggests opting for a round or square toe versus a pointed boot. It’s also important to choose a style with added footbed cushioning, especially for those with plantar fasciitis or flat feet, while flats and block heels will offer more stability support for walking or standing all day.
From the runways to fashion week street style and the hottest TikTok style trends, Western wear is everywhere. Whether you’re heading to a concert or are simply excited to saddle up to the trend, you’ll be glad to have a pair of cowboy boots (or two) in your rotation.
There’s an influx of new cowboy boots to choose from in 2024, and FN Shop editors have been trotting around town to test new releases, bestsellers, and re-assessing longtime favorites to lasso up our top list for the season ahead. Since there are so many silhouettes and construction variations of the style to choose from, we’re spotlighting three cowboy boot styles that are most versatile and supportive at the range of price points.
After a second round of testing, our updated Editors’ Choice selections for cowboy boots for women were rated based on a checklist of essential criteria, including durable construction, reliable comfort, authentic Western design, and overall versatility — so whether you’re heading to the rodeo or stomping the concrete runway, you can rest assured that your new boots will ride like the wind.
Though women’s Western boots may be currently trending, this isn’t their first rodeo. The style first came to the US in the 1800s, inspired by the Spanish vaquero boot. In 1951, Western boots had their first major fashion moment, with Marilyn Monroe wearing a pair with hot pants in a Valentine’s Day promotional shot. Ralph Lauren shows in the ’70s featured cowboy boots, kicking off years of runways full of models sporting the footwear.
In 1989, Western boots went worldwide. Princess Diana was seen wearing sweatpants tucked into cowboy boots while dropping Prince Harry off at school. In 1997, Alexander McQueen designed a collection for Givenchy featuring leather cutout women’s Western boots. During the early 2000s, cowboy boots made their way onto the celebrity circuit. Britney Spears wore them to the 2003 Kids Choice Awards, Sienna Miller wore them to a movie premiere in 2004, and Selena Gomez sported a pair while running errands around LA. Always two steps ahead of the trends, Rihanna wore silver metallic cowboy boots on a red carpet in 2005, and Taylor Swift, famously known for her country star roots, naturally wore them throughout her 2011 Speak Now tour.
Since then, fashion’s love affair has only grown. They showed throughout the 2010s at Anna Sui, Dolce and Gabbana, Michael Kors, and more. Soon thereafter, Western boots became the go-to festival shoe, and became a certified street style staple by the early 2020s, worn by the likes of Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Chrissy Teigen, Rita Ora, and more.
Ranch-ready footwear has been a slow burn throughout recent seasons, and it’s beginning to shine bright among celebrity style and spring trends for 2024. The theme-y shoe whispered across the runways at Paco Rabanne and Prabal Gurung for 2020, in this season’s red-hot color trend, and was reintroduced for 2021 at Isabel Marant for 2021, when the label sent a slew of cowboy boot silhouettes down the runway in every color of the rainbow. Chloé also presented rubbery cowboy boots in buttery-smooth leather, styled alongside chic “quiet luxury” workwear for fall 2022, hinting toward more wearable iterations of the shoe to come.
More recently, we saw Ganni, a brand that boasts a bestseller in the category, show boots for spring 2024 in structured silver and slouchy stone silhouettes, whether with tucked-in jeans or peaking out of long, flowing trousers. And then there’s Louis Vuitton, which went all-out Western ahead of fall 2024, from turquoise-adorned bolo ties, saddle handbags, rope holster accessories, and washed leather cowboy boots.
It’s hard to spot a style star who isn’t embracing the cowboy boot trend. Beyoncé, who’s finally entered her consummate cowgirl era, wore a 10-gallon hat at the 2024 Grammys, stunned in Western-inspired Moschino mules, and, we can only image, will be stomping around in chrome-plated cowboy boots throughout her entire “Renaissance: Act II” run. Lana Del Rey was also recently spotted in black Western boots, paired with a baby blue quilted Chanel purse, while Bella Hadid has been embracing her inner “horse girl” in brown and black trotters and worn-in denim at her Pennsylvania ranch. But, if you’re looking for a masterclass in city-slicker cowboy boot styling, look to Emily Ratajkowski, who’s constantly seen wearing her cowboy boot rotation around New York City — teaming the boots with a sophisticated blazer, leather jacket, slip dress, puffer jacket, midi skirt, and practically everything in between.
We’d be remiss to gloss over the treasure trove of style inspiration seen on the streets of this season’s fashion weeks, too. Cowboy boots proved as one of the most consistent outfit-making pieces among show-goers, offering instant personality to the range of chic and eclectic ensembles. We saw guests make the case that a cowboy boot can seamlessly pair with a sequin dress, or that it can actually look sporty with keen styling.
Shown with: Gap X Dôen Eyelet Mini Dress ($158), Le Specs Schmaltzy Sunglasses ($158 ), Polène Cyme Bag ($520)
Shown with: Hollister Oversized J’aime Cowboys Graphic Tee ($29.95 ), Levi’s 501 Original High Rise Shorts ($69.5), Coach Studio Baguette Bag With Rivets ($395)
Shown with: Staud x Wrangler Vest ($165), Staud x Wrangler The Mini Skirt ($175), Tularosa Rhapsody Disc Belt ($128), Free People Giddy Up Trucker Hat ($38)
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
To compile this list of the best cowboy boots for women, we conducted hours of research and editor product testing. We first consulted cowboy boot design authorities and style experts for invaluable insight on the best brands to recommend to readers, along with styles that are suitable for the range of foot types and calf sizes. We also dove deep into the footwear market to choose different styles that deliver on versatility and comfort, comparing hundreds of tester quotes to narrow down the most satisfactory options available. We paid special attention to inclusive sizes ranges, colorway options, and authentic Western construction, as well as bestselling styles from trusted brands. Our editors personally tested several cowboy boots and consulted their results with the team to curate these exemplary recommendations. Learn more about us here.
Elizabeth Ruiz is a women’s senior footwear designer at Tecovas. She has been at Tecovas for two years, but before that, she was at The Frye Company, Caleres, Kenneth Cole Productions, and more. With this variety of experience, she was the perfect person to talk to about women’s cowboy boots.
Audree Lopez is a freelance fashion stylist and content creator based in New York City. She has an impressive client list including brands like American Eagle, Old Navy, COVERGIRL, Tommy Hilfiger, Alice + Olivia, and more. Beyond her brand work, she also works one on one with personally styling clients.
Vivian Lee is the director of styling at Dailylook, a personal styling service. She regularly helps her clients find and express themselves through their personal style.
Anneke Knot is a freelance writer in the fashion and beauty space based in San Francisco, California. With over seven years of experience in fashion writing, she has extensive knowledge of all things shoes. Aside from Footwear News and WWD, her editorial work can be found in publications like InStyle, The Strategist, Byrdie, Forbes, and more. Knot wrote this article on the best cowboy boots for women, interviewing experts and sourcing shoe options for various foot types and style aesthetics.
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She regularly reports on emerging footwear trends, tests new product releases, and recommends the best shoe styles on the market to FN readers. Cigliano updated this article on the best cowboy boots for women in July 2024 with new product releases and cowboy boot outfit ideas.
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