Texas Cowboy Boots: America's Material Culture Melting Pot

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2023

Abstract

Cowboy boots are some of the most recognizable dress icons in the United States and symbolize the American West. The mythology of these material culture objects has been built over hundreds of years in many types of oral and written narratives. The purpose of this study was to combine secondary sources focusing on specific dimensions of cowboy boots with interviews of bootmakers and firm owners, developing a clearer understanding of the multicultural evolution of this material culture icon. Results indicate that although most bootmakers are aware of the multicultural origins of cowboy boots, they do not possess a complete comprehension of the origins and development of this material culture icon.

DOI

10.1111/jacc.13443

Link to Full Text


Share

COinS