Every year I look forward to Jim Arndt’s Cowboy Boot Calendar. My copy goes up on a nail next to the kitchen sink. It’s a New Year’s tradition.

The calendar’s big pages (12″ x 12″) lets you see count-the-stitches-details on every pair …this year there are seven new pairs, six vintage ones.

I’m impressed by a pair of vintage Noconas (See “November.”) Even though I’m not crazy about the white collar, I like the large strong inlay pattern—I especially like the three rows of stitching that surrounds each shape. (Click here for another view.) Two rows of yellow stitches, outlined again by a row of white.

The boot design is sturdy, straight forward and well-balanced. The stitching keeps the pattern from looking sparse. It softens the edges without making the boot look wimpy. It’s great.

I think inlay loses some of its punch …as soon as you need your reading glasses.

 
NOTE (7 Jan 2006): Guess has remade this cowboy boot… with a few different colors to choose from.