Dress Like A Texan: Own a Pair of Boots

The first step to being a true Texan is owning and wearing boots.   There are two kinds of boots every Texan should have: (1) the dress boot and (2) the work boot.

A. Dress Boots

There are two kinds of dress boots: (i.) formal and (ii.) casual.

The formal dress boot is for the courtroom, the boardroom, a formal party or a formal wedding.  These boots should be worn with a dark suit.  I suggest a pair of black Lucchese (pronounced Lou  Casey) 2000 quilled ostrich boots.

The casual boot is to be worn to the office, church, dancehall or a restaurant.  I recommend a brown pair of Ariat Hertiage R Toe  Western boots.  These can be worn with blue jeans, brown/grey/khaki slacks.  Also, they can be worn with a grey or navy suit (with a brown belt).

B. Work Boots

Whether mowing the lawn, clearing a pasture, or organizing the garage, every Texan needs a pair of work boots.  These can also be worn when grabbing a drink with some buddies, watching a football game, or running errands.  I suggest Justin Rugged Chocolate Guacho Steel Toes.

C. Miscellaneous Tips

- Many people from Texas - because they did not grow up wearing boots - say they would never wear a pair.  Let me tell you, if you grew up in Texas and/or currently live in Texas, you can get away wearing boots and should go ahead and do it.  They are comfortable and easy.  So, whether you grew up in Rural Texas or the suburbs, embrace your culture and quit acting like you grew up in the Midwest - or worse yet, California.

- Do not get boots with laces. Under any circumstances.

- Square toes are a fad.  I have many friends who have embraced this (hopefully short-lived) trend, so I will not knock the square-toed boot.  So in attempt to be positive, I have taken the stance that a square-toed boot is better than no boot at all.  But it is not as classic and Texan as a nice rounded toe.