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 TM
Cowboy Boots
Beautifully Reclaiming the American
West
by Martha Hollis and Sherry Barrow
 Get
out your boots, jeans or skirts, and hat and two-step your way
through what promises to be the most comprehensive study of the
All-American Cowboy Boot ever attempted. City-slickers and horsemen
alike will not want to miss The Museum of the Horse’s latest
world class exhibition in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico.
The Cowboy Boot—Soul of the American West, a five-month
event opens Sunday, May 24, 1998. You will have an opportunity
to view, touch, try on, and even dance in Cowboy boots. By the
time you leave the exhibition, you'll want a pair of boots —guaranteed.
Yup, put 'em on and you’ll never be the same again!
Boots are serious business in the United States and beyond. With
over 3.5 million pair of Cowboy Boots sold each year, somebody's
aware of the marketing bonanza that encompasses the celebration
of the Cowboy Boot.
In southwestern country everyone dances. Everyone learns
how—because it's a survival skill. You can't soak up the
flavor of the cowboy way without dancing.
The number one fashion accessory? You guessed it, Cowboy Boots.
Why? Boots give you "The Attitude." Put them on
and you're taller, slimmer, braver, and more powerful. With the
right combination of cowboy boots and demeanor, he can't keep
his eyes off you!
Recently, I learned about the transformational properties possessed
by cowboy boots. At Joe’s Boot Shop in Muleshoe, Texas, I
ended��$�GET http://216.239boy Boots...well, several pair.
My black velvet softly gathered skirt hit me at about five inches
above the knee; I was wearing dark stockings and a turtleneck
with a Calvin Klein denim vest. You get the idea—I was not
dressed "western."
 When
Mary Alice, my boot fitter landed on the true size for me, I was
no longer living vicariously. It was applied learning at its best.
Using the loops, I pulled the boots on; they were snug but felt
pretty good. I looked down at my feet and legs from above—my
legs seemed longer for some reason. I walked around and surprisingly,
the boots didn't feel heavy or chunky. I realized I was smiling.
Nice.
"Yes, I'll try a royal blue pair," I responded to
Mary Alice.
I checked out the look in the full length mirror. Who was that?
What was different? Well, I was taller. My legs looked longer
and thinner. I looked about ten pounds lighter. I shot a knowing
look into the mirror and grinned—I was carrying myself differently.
With a more confident attitude, the self-talk began. Can I really
do this? I reasoned, I'm a grown up. I don't have to conform anymore.
I like the way this feels, and looks. Is this a fad? No, this
is style—and it suits me. My inner doubts resolved, I bought
four pair including the royal blue lizards I wore out of the shop.
I became aware of the boot attitude transformation thing almost
immediately. I would see glances at my legs and boots; men especially.
They’re not just attractive. Boots are sexy, sensual and
just plain hot!
Sid Goodloe, a New Mexico rancher, summed up this attitude,
"Cowboy boots make a woman look tough and soft all at once.
A filly stands different in boots and it shows her conformation.
It's the cowgirl thing too."
Could it be that all it takes to get a new attitude is a trip
to the Museum of the Horse and a show-stopping pair of cowboy
boots?
Contact: Museum of the Horse, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico
1-800-263-5929
e-mail moth@zianet.com
Images by Sherry Barrow and Martha Hollis
-Updated 3-19-98-
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