Now, boots are strongly associated with born-and-raised Texans, and it’s likely considered a more significant statement of what it means to be a Texan to them than to people who move to the Lone Star State from outside of it.  I’m going to go ahead and posit that the opposite is true, that to us Texas transplants, the cowboy boots we own are more meaningful, more important and integral to us.  Not that it’s a contest or anything, but just like any group of immigrants longing to fit in, we out-of-staters like to cling to those symbols that show that we fit in.  Ponying up to a bar and ordering a Lone Star is one way.  Rooting for the Rockets is another way.  And buying cowboy boots—more so than cowboy hats, since those are for true die-hards—is yet another way.

I’ve done all three of these things with different degrees of enthusiasm (the order, in case you’re wondering, is boots, Lone Star, Rockets).  My first pair was a pair of Justin boots.  They were Ropers.  They were reasonably priced, and I figured that it wouldn’t be a big loss if I ended up not wearing them that frequently, so I bought them.  They were a hair tight at first, and I felt a little hesitant wearing them out and about (not due to tightness, but due to feeling “authentic” wearing them).  However, as time went on, I grew more comfortable with them, and they grew more comfortable with me.  Today, they’re among my favorite footwear—and they get to share closet space with some nice Lucchese boots I bought last year.  Those Luccheses are definitely the classier boots, and I get compliments about them all the time.

Still, I’ll never forget that first pair.

Mr. Edwards’ collection includes 126 pairs of cowboy boots, ranging in styles and materials, and he’s still looking for more to add to his collection. More specifically, he’s looking for exotic skinned boots — for the last 30 years, he’s made it a goal to have at least one pair of cowboy boots in every exotic skin that’s made.

The writer of the article noted that the rarest boots in Mr. Edwards’ collection are the ones that seem to appear the plainest. Some of the rarest cowboy boots he owns are made of Texas deer skin, African tree-toads, hippo, rhino and Texas turkey skin.

In addition to collecting cowboy boots, Edwards also collects western wear. Part of his collection: western ties, western belts and buckles, color-coodinated western jackets. So why collect cowboy boots and western wear? Simple: Edwards says he’s a native Texas who’s always enjoyed Texas heritage. And because, he says, his family has always had Texas ranches, he’s found that cowboy boots are simply the “natural thing to wear” when you’re working with ranch animals like horses and cattles.

When the writer asked Edwards about his favorite cowboy boots, Edwards pointed out the importance of comfort rather than aesthetic. His favorite cowboy boot makers include Lucchese, Tony Lama and Justin, three cowboy boot makers found at Allens Boots.

Last spring, Lampasas civic leaders put out a “boot call,” and from that they got about 150 pairs of cowboy boots to work with. Each pair was photographed portrait-style before eventually being a part of a large group shot from above by Kellie Hughes, a local photographer. After the photo was taken, the cowboy boots’ owners took them home.

But as for the mural, it had a way to go from that point — this was just the beginning. Two months ago volunteers started work on painting by using a paint-by-numbers method. This was a smart choice considering the size of the project: the mural is 15 feet by 45 feet.

Volunteers also made the painting process go smoothly by taking the cowboy boots photograph, converting it to a computer image with reduced hues and tones, and dividing the image into a 75-square grid. Each of those 75 squares measured three feet by three feet, and then a color transparency was made for each of those squares so that the images could be traced onto the wall.

Volunteers ran into a few minor snags while they were creating the cowboy boots mural. On one day, rain washed away the numbers on the wall, so they had to be rewritten. Another incident happened where the first three sections were drawn upside-down. Both of these incidents were fixed, thanks to the hardworking volunteers.

Ready to finally be unveiled this Thursday, the cowboy boots mural will show off the 150 pairs of colorful cowboy boots that belong to residents of Lampasas. There were eight volunteers who primarily worked on the mural, but anyone who stopped by was allowed to get a paint brush and help out. So it’s a community mural in every sense.

If you’re able to, visit Lampasas this Thursday to check out the unveiling of their new cowboy boots mural. They’ll be celebrating with a free outdoor chili supper.

So check out these great Christmas gift ideas from Allens Boots. We know how stressful the holiday season can be, so that’s why we’ve assembled this list to help get you on your way.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Women

Cowboy boots for women as a Christmas gift are a great idea. The ladies Ariat Legend boots are stylish, versatile women’s boots with a square toe and spur ledge. More Christmas gift ideas for women: Cruel Girl jeans, Scully shirts and Stetson cowboy hats are all wonderful choices. Don’t forget to take a look at Montana Silversmiths jewelry, too.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Men

As for Christmas gift ideas for men, you can’t go wrong with cowboy hats. There are plenty of cowboy hats to choose from at Allens Boots, like men’s Montecarlo hats, Resistol hats, Stetson hats and  Southern Thread cowboy hats. Cowboy hats make great gifts because they not only look cool, but they’re useful.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Kids

With so much adorable children’s Western wear to choose from, you’ll have no problem coming up with Christmas gift ideas for kids on your shopping list. Don’t miss Bailey children’s cowboy hats. We’re also proud to carry children’s cowboy boots like the the kids Frye Harness Bootie, the Frye Lil Harness and the kids Justin Bay Westerner.  A wonderful Christmas gift idea for girls is Ariat Heritage Western cowboy boot — they’re pink cowboy boots! There are also many kids toys and accessories at Allens Boots.

How the ACL Fest organizers managed to book three days of fantastic bands is beyond us, but we’re not complaining. The headliner for ACL Fest Day 3 is alternative rock group Foo Fighters, whose lead singer is Dave Grohl, the former drummer for Nirvana. Foo Fighters are known for their live shows, so their ACL Fest appearance should not be missed.

Foo Fighters are from Seattle, so what about Austin musicians at ACL Fest? South Austin Jug Band, a local bluegrass band, is one set to perform from 6:40-7:40pm. Other musicians set to perform include The Raconteurs, whose guitarist and singer is Jack White of the White Stripes; Blues Traveler; Gnarls Barkley; and Nakia and His Southern Cousins.

There are just too many awesome acts to list, really, so we hope you’re looking forward to ACL Fest Day 3 like we are. Austin City Limits Music Festival is one of many things we just love about Austin. If you’re visiting from out of town, we hope you’ll be able to get out and see more of Austin. And don’t forget to stop by Allens Boots on South Congress. Cowboy boots and cowboy hats are perfect Texas souvenirs and will no doubt remind you of the great time you had in Austin, Texas for ACL Fest.

Jessica Simpson has gone country!  Well at least her taste in music and her taste in boots have.  It makes sense that Jessica is becoming a country music singer.  She is from Dallas, Texas, she possesses that wonderful southern accent, and she does make a pair of cowboy boots look pretty darn good.

Jessica Simpson Gives Top 40 the Boot!

Jessica has always been known as a pop singer, but her new album that comes out in early September, titled “Do You Know,” is her first venture into the world of country music stardom.  Jessica appears on the cover of her new album donning a white dress and a pair of cowboy boots.  We have been wondering what brand those boots are since we saw that picture.  Are they Ariat, Tony Lama, Lucchese, or perhaps even Justin?

Jessica Simpson’s Boots are made for Walking

Because of her new trek into country music, Jessica has been seen wearing cowboy boots a lot lately.  However, this is not her first rodeo with cowboy boots.  Back in 2005, Jessica played the infamous Daisy Duke in the movie “The Dukes of Hazzard.”  She most definitely got used to wearing boots during that movie.  Although it probably was her “These Boots are Made for Walking” video that put her cowboy-boot wearin’ on the map.  After that video, the demand for Jessica’s red cowboy boots was so high that she ended up carrying them in her own Jessica Simpson shoe line.

Jessica Simpson’s Red Boots

Now we may not carry Jessica Simpson’s red boots at Allens, but we do carry one of the most extensive selections of women’s cowboy boots this side of Hazzard County. And if it is red cowboy boots you want, than look no further than the Justin Scarlet Vintage boot or the Charlie 1 Horse Red Calf Western boot.  Whatever mood that Jessica and her boots have put you in, we have got you covered.