Western Boots are Not a Vibe

 The most unfashionable boot if I ever saw one

I hate Western-style boots! I tried to get into the Fall 2023 trend, but I can’t — I just can’t. The boots are too pointy at the toe and too chunky at the heel, and the intricate designs aren’t stylish. The boots were originally designed to handle the rugged terrain in the western parts of the country. Now, every celebrity, influencer, and stylist is wearing the boots. Ughhhh!

Granted, there is a variation of the style that I do find stylish — the pulled-over boot look. The boot’s leather part is pulled down over the shoe. While the shoe is still pointy, the heel has been adjusted for the design. I own a white pair I picked up at Mad Rags last year. Since then, I’ve seen the shoes in places like Rainbows, DSW, and Macy’s.

I prefer this style over the Western boot. I’ve seen some shoe departments try to make the boot with a friendlier design. Target came close with a knee-high Western-style boot with a slightly more rounded toe. I was even tempted to buy the boots, but they didn’t have my size. I’ve checked a few Targets in my area and the size hasn’t been restocked. Oh well.

I hope the trend fades in 2024. While pointy boots will be the bane of my overly large feet, at least they’ll be a lot cuter than Western boots. I prefer my boots to be over the knee or even thigh-high. I’ve seen a few styles in Macy’s that caught my eye. One pair was gold with a tie at the top. The heel was too thin for my taste but they were a beautiful pair of boots. Sigh…..

Western boots may work in Texas, Arizona, and Nevada, but they are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing on the East Coast. They don’t seem practical for ice and snow. Northeast winters can also be brutally cold. Western boots don’t appear to be very well insulated inside. Boots need to look cool, be stylish, and be useful in the Northeast.

So when you’re shopping for boots, think about what you need in footwear. Depending on where you live, Western-style boots may work for you. If you’re on the East Coast, a variation of the boot might be better. Western-style boots aren’t ideal for East Coast fashionistas. We prefer something more sleek and chic. And for our winters, we need something comfortable and durable. Western boots are not it.