It’s Not Just a Boot

Cowboy boots are a staple of southern fashion. They get worn to school, to the store, to work outside. They come in just about every single shape and color, with endless opportunities awaiting you as you walk into the store.

Sometimes, they come with ribbons.

It’s like it magically appeared one day. Scrolling on TikTok, “Here’s How To Vamp Up Your Gameday Outfit.” A pair of cowboy boots, with multi-colored ribbon hooked onto the outside tab. As I kept scrolling, the videos kept multiplying.

Now, I scroll Pinterest, and there it is. Gameday cowboy boots, with ribbon matching your school colors. A new sense of school pride.

I’ll admit, I hopped on the trend. My white cowboy boots now have a taste of UCF. Gold, white, and black strands all make an appearance on gameday. They coincide with all the other boots I see at the tailgate — all similar but all uniquely different. Because it isn’t just a boot, but also a sense of self.

You hear it all the time — Florida isn’t the South. And for most of my life, I lived by that.

What defines being “the South”? Is it geographical, cultural or a mix of both?

Geographically and historically, the South is known as the states of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina, also known as Deep South states. As time has progressed, the definition of the South has shifted to include the states that border them, like Texas and Florida.

What defines the South culturally? Where do cowboy boots come into the equation?

Sweet tea. Southern hospitality. The word y’all. For most, when they think of the South, that’s what first comes to mind. It’s more than that.

Entire musical movements started here, like country, jazz and bluegrass. Famous literary pieces are based on or portray people’s experiences living here, like “To Kill a Mockingbird," or one of my personal favorites, “Their Eyes Were Watching God”.

Yes, we might be known for “Southern hospitality,” but that just means that our neighbors take the time to get to know each other, building a stronger community.
The South also plays a large part in producing and maintaining agriculture and livestock. The key choice in footwear for farmers? Cowboy boots.

Cowboy boots have been around for centuries. They originated around the 1800s as shoes designed to be tough enough to withstand the wear-and-tear accompanied by ranching and riding horses. Over time, they became a key choice for those working on farms or ranches

The boots also became popular between the 1930s and 1960s, a key piece of cinematic history. When western films became all the rage.

Actors like John Ford and Clint Eastwood dressed up as cowboys, romanticizing the lifestyle, as well as the fashion choices that came with it.

As we come into the 21st century, cowboy boots are still a trend in modern culture, from Beyoncé’s white heeled boots in “Cowboy Carter” to the late Dolly Parton wearing them in her performances over time.
People wearing them hasn’t gone away — the trend of them has just ebbed and flowed over time.

So why do they get worn at football games?

Well, first, cowboy boots are practical. Designed to be durable, comfortable and easy to slip on, they are a quick and easy choice for those spending hours in the stands cheering on their team.

Additionally, they can be easily customizable, especially on a budget. Hence the ribbons. It’s easy to base the look of your boots on your school colors, adding more depth to the shoe, as well as fashionability.

For those in Orlando, cowboy boots remind us of our city. A mix of modernization and history. The boot itself is reminiscent of what we’ve come from; the South's vast history and traditions that have become our own. The ribbons are the new; we are always changing, always growing, but we can always make something our own.

So while yes, people will continue to argue over whether or not Florida is considered the South, our experiences and our boots continue to remind us that we are not defined by what others will say.

Strike Out,

Orlando

Written By Caroline Krywonos

Edited By Arsheeya Garg and Kaitlyn Clarke

Caroline Krywonos is a journalist for Strike Magazine, Orlando. Currently, she is pursuing degrees in both Broadcast Journalism and International and Global Studies at the University of Central Florida. When she's not writing, you can often find her with a camera in hand, outside camping, or just spending time with friends. She hopes her writing will inspire those around her to also find their passions.

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