Made by one of the Trujilio brothers in the 1950’s, these cowboy boots are fondly known as the “Elvis Boots” …although, really the name inlaid on the front is “Ellis.”
They are beautiful and beat-up boots. The inlay is surrounded by tiny stitches in variegated thread. I can tell the design was carefully planned out by the tightly packed top, but the grassy green stitches along the edge of the vamp give it a playful improvised look.
The vamp musta been something to see, before some misguided soul inked over the red inlay. I guess he had his reasons.
Believe it or not, I own these boots. They were a generous gift from Bryce Sunderlin… who bought them from Tyler Beard years ago. These boots were photographed in The Art of the Boot (p. 37) and Cowboy Boots (p. 107.) I got them this summer, or they would have been in my book too.
I don’t wear these, never have. I bought them on eBay just so that I could put them in my book.
I would wear them though, if I could. If my calves were just a little smaller, if the tops were a little shorter, or if the scallop was a little deeper… then I could wear them, but alas… they just don’t fit.
You would think that patchwork like this would end up a little “hodge podge,” but the seams are flat and tidy. (FACT: Pieced tops are popular with boot companies, because they get to use tiny scraps of leather instead of large hides.)
Ahhh… the 70’s, even I wore patchwork “back in the day” …sort of a Bohemian’s plaid, don’t you think?
Behold! my Sacha London shoe boots (circa 1989.) I only have fuzzy memories of buying these, a mall? downtown San Francisco? I think that’s right.
I wore these, before I wore cowboy boots… back when I sewed my own drop-waist dresses from Simplicity patterns… when I wore dark tights and thrift shop hats.
Throughout the season… leave you best fitting boots lying around on the bedroom floor or at the front of your closet, so others can “sneak” a peek at the maker and size.
Don’t forget to visit this year’s Cowboy Boot Holiday Gift Guide. Come Friday morning, while others are standing around in dark Walmart parking lot… your loved ones can be at home shopping online in their slippers.
Custom made, vintage and popular cowboy boot brands. Advice from author & expert, Jennifer June (& others) about buying cowboy boots online.
