The 15 Best Cowboy Boots for Women to Add Some Western Flair to Their Stylish Outfits

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Blame it on festival fashion, the nation’s obsession with “Yellowstone,” or Beyoncé: Women’s western boots are back, and this time, they aren’t reserved solely for country music concerts.

In fact, Google searches for the term “metallic cowboy boots” increased by 488 percent the week after Beyoncé kicked off her Renaissance Tour, according to a new finding from clothing brand, Nasty Gal. Beyond just that, searches for “silver cowboy boots” skyrocketed 300 percent as well.   

Elizabeth Ruiz, women’s senior footwear designer at Tecovas, believes you should look for three things when shopping for a new pair of cowboy boots: quality of construction, thoughtful details, and proper fit. She encourages people to ask the right questions like “are [these boots] made by craftsmen who understand the techniques, design, and construction of authentic boots?” 

“Fine leathers will stand the test of time in both durability and style,” Ruiz says, “Leathers should be properly processed, not painted and corrected.” The details make a difference. Look for thoughtful details such as leather lining, ergonomic pull tabs, unique stitch patterns. Finally, pay attention to the fit. Women’s western boots do not have zippers or laces which necessitates that the consumer understand what to expect when they try on boots,” she says. 

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 the leather to naturally loosen 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 more toe room, she suggests opting for a round or square toe versus a super skinny pointed boot.

With the influx of western boot options available on the market ranging from suede to snakeskin, we created a cowboy boot guide to help you cut through the cowboy clutter. Our list includes boots with arch support, boots for flat feet, boots for bunions, and more. Read on to discover which kicks made the cut.

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The History of Women’s Cowboy Boots

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 her son, 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. Taylor Swift wore them for multiple looks on her Speak Now tour and Rihanna donned a silver metallic pair for a “Hope Rocks” benefit concert. Since then, fashion’s love affair has only grown. They popped up on Anna Sui, Dolce and Gabbana, Michael Kors, and more. In the late teens, western boots became the go-to festival shoe, and a couple years later, it solidified itself as the shoe for street style stars like Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Chrissy Teigen, Rita Ora, and more. 

Women’s Western Boot Trends for 2023 

Western boots started heavily trending in 2021, and the momentum hasn’t slowed down since. Dua Lipa regularly started posting them to her Instagram and Kendall Jenner has been frequently spotted by paparazzi sporting them. 

The spring 2023 runways showcased all sorts of western wear. Ganni’s Copenhagen show featured brightly colored leather boots tucked into trousers and worn with skirts of all lengths. Molly Goddard took it one step further, showcasing bright blue and red boots with heart designs splashed across the toe. They came with frilly tutus and floral printed flare denim. Ralph Lauren, on the other hand, kept things simple. Instead, their collection showed off a more classic look: brown with white designs. Instead of purple and red puffy dresses, they paired their boots with peasant dresses and fringed skirts. 

During the fall 2023 runways, the trend continued. During Milan Fashion Week, Giuseppe Zannotti showcased sleek, black ankle boots with a bedazzled heel. Cesare Casadei noticed on a trip to Los Angeles that cowboy boots weren’t reserved for the fall. In his collection, he showed a more modern take on the classic boot: The cropping at the ankle and clean stitching along the side updates the cowboy boot, but the block heel keeps it reminiscent of the western silhouette.   

How to Wear Women’s Western Boots: Cowboy Boot Outfits 

• Start small: When you first come across a cool trend, it is easy to get carried away. López encourages you to make it your own rather than copying someone else. “With any new trend, I always recommend starting simple,” she says, “Is your comfort zone a tank top and slip skirt? Great! Start there and add a belt or a chunky necklace, and let your cowboy boot take the place of your favorite sneaker, combat boot, or ankle boot.”

• Make the boot the fashion focal point: If you just got a bold colored boot but don’t know how to wear it, pay attention. Lee suggests making your metallic or colorful women’s western boots a bold accent to your look. Keep your outfit monochromatic, and make the boot the star of the show.

• Think beyond summer: Thanks to music festivals, we have an abundance of summer style inspiration photos. But cowboy boots work in cooler temps as well. López suggests playing with silhouettes. “Pair an oversized blazer with a fitted maxi skirt,” she says, “The chunky western boot offsets the airiness of the large blazer and the thin material of the skirt.”

• Use a tried-and-true formula: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. When in doubt, do something that works, like teaming western boots with classic denim. López loves pairing a boot with skinny, slim, straight, or women’s jeans. “The straight and tapered leg will give you that current fashion girl or model off duty outfit,” she says.

What to Look for in the Best Cowboy Boots for Women

• Material: For the most part, women’s western boots come in three materials: leather, suede, and synthetics. In terms of quality, the real thing is always better. “Avoid pleather, synthetic materials like polyurethane, polyester or rubber,” says López, “These materials are cheap and will break down quickly over time. They also will not give your feet the support and comfortability versus a leather material.” Suede and leather are literally cut from the same cloth (aka animal skin), but there are real differences between the two. First off, suede is generally more comfortable but not as durable. On the other hand, leather takes much longer to break in, but it can withstand much more. “Cowhide leather is a great option [for boots],” explains Lee. “It’s super durable and develops a cool patina over time with wear. Suede, with its soft and textured look, offers greater comfort than leather. But keep in mind that suede boots need a little extra care to maintain their best appearance.” 

• Style: The perfect pair of women’s western boots blend both style and function. Whether it’s the fabric, embroidery, heel height, or silhouette, each element of the boot can match your personal aesthetic. There’s the color to ponder, too — you can find red western boots, pink women’s western boots, and of course, classic black and brown options. If you’re intimidated, Lopez suggests starting small. “You don’t have to dress like you walked off the ranch or you’re cosplaying as Kendall Jenner,” she says. “Instead, start simple with a neutral boot or add them with your comfort zone go-to outfits and go from there.”

• Heel and shaft height: All western boots have some kind of heel spanning almost all heights. Most commonly, cowboy boot heels are somewhere between one to two inches. Before committing to a cowboy boot, think about what you are buying them for. “Consider your comfort level and personal preference when determining optimal heel height,” Lee recommends. “The sturdy heel found in most cowboy boots makes even higher heeled options surprisingly comfortable to wear.” The shaft of the boot also varies. Shorter shafts are generally more comfortable and eliminate the task of fitting the boot to your calves (they’re also ideal for those who want a pair of the best women’s cowboy boots for petites). Longer shafts offer more protection, but women’s tall western boots can be harder to fit. 

Different Types of Cowboy Boots for Women 

• Traditional western boots: Traditional women’s western boots have longer shafts and higher heels, because they were originally designed to make it easier to ride horses. Knee-high boots with a two-inch heel are usually considered traditional boots. 

• Ropers: Roper boots are also super common, but they are not exactly the same as traditional cowboy boots. They are meant to ride horses but also to walk around. They typically have a shorter shaft for more flexibility around the ankle and a wider toe for added comfort. 

• Western dress boots: Dress boots are more formal than traditional boots. They usually have elevated materials like a glossy leather or more intricate embroidery appropriate for fancier occasions.

• Platform western boots: Platform cowboy boots are a modern take on a classic style. Instead of leaving all the height to the heel, these boots have, well, a platform. Unlike the boots above, these were never intended to be work boots. Their intentions are purely style centered. 

• Kitten heel platform boots: This style of boot is the most modern take possible on a Western boot. The kitten heel isn’t the same shape, but it is a similar height. The toe is usually squared, but it also can be rounded or pointed. 

How We Chose the Best Western Boots For Women 

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.

We researched top cowboy boot brands, read hundreds of customer reviews, and tapped a few stylists and a boot designer to determine the best cowboy boots for women. We also road-tested multiple pairs from top brands ourselves, paying attention to the fit, feel, and wear. We also considered the best retailers to shop when selecting pairs of work shoes for women, cross-checking with Google’s new Top-Quality Store Badge (a rating that indicates retailers with quick shipping, clear return policies, and positive shopper reviews). As new boots are released throughout 2023, we will continue to update this guide to the best western boots for women to deliver the most up-to-date recommendations and tips. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Experts

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.   

Meet the Author

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.