Cowboy boots are stomping back into style, from Prada and Celine to Chloé and Fendi
Call it the Yellowstone effect, or maybe, like Bella Hadid with her cowboy ex-boyfriend, we all want to be ranch girls, but cowboy boots are everywhere. That’s not to say the cowboy boot hasn’t always been a fashion favourite. With Western roots dating back to the 19th century, the style features small heels originally meant for stirrup support and high shafts to protect a working cowboy’s legs. Anybody who still has an image of Sienna Miller circa 2004 in a minidress, Balenciaga City bag and...
Source: South China Morning Post · August 16, 2026 at 10:28 PM · AI-assisted report
KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2026 —
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Cowboy boots regain fashion spotlight, from Prada to Fendi, as heritage brands see surge in demand
Market Impact
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (Reuters) – Cowboy boots are making a strong comeback in global fashion, driven by pop culture influences and luxury brands, with Malaysian retailers and consumers likely to follow the trend as Western aesthetics gain traction in the region’s luxury market.
The resurgence of cowboy boots traces back to the 19th century, when they were originally designed with small heels for stirrup support and high shafts to protect cowboys’ legs. The style has since evolved, becoming a staple in fashion cycles—from Sienna Miller’s 2004 Balenciaga look to Princess Diana’s 1990s ensembles and Ralph Lauren’s Americana-inspired collections. Recent seasons have seen the boots reappear across runways, from Marni and Rabanne to Chloé and Fendi, often paired with modern silhouettes such as midi skirts, leather trousers, and sequined coats.
The trend has been amplified by celebrities including Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Margot Robbie, and Lana Del Rey, who have worn cowboy boots at public events and fashion weeks. Heritage bootmakers like Texas-based Tecovas and Lucchese, as well as Australian brand R.M. Williams, have also benefited from the revival. R.M. Williams, known for its elastic-sided boots rooted in Australia’s rural culture, has observed renewed interest in its classic designs, which were originally crafted for stockmen and outback life.
In the luxury market, brands such as Prada, Khaite, and Celine (under Phoebe Philo’s tenure) have driven demand. Erica Wright, founder of luxury sourcing platform Sourcewhere, noted a “noticeable resurgence” in cowboy boot requests over the past year, with early signals emerging in August 2025 when Leandra Medine Cohen sourced Prada’s white distressed cowboy boots. Clients are increasingly seeking both new-season styles from Prada and Khaite, as well as archival pieces from Celine’s 2017 collection, which remain highly requested on the platform.
Malaysia’s luxury fashion sector, particularly in Kuala Lumpur’s high-end retail hubs such as Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC, is expected to reflect this global trend. Tiffany Hsu, chief buying and group fashion ventures officer at Mytheresa, advises a refined approach to styling cowboy boots, recommending modern interpretations from brands like Khaite, Isabel Marant, Paris Texas, and Gabriela Hearst. “It’s about proportion and finishing,” she says. “A good cowboy boot today should still have character but feel versatile enough to wear beyond one specific look.”
For Malaysian consumers, the boots offer versatility across seasons and occasions. R.M. Williams’ Amy Barnes highlights their adaptability, noting that men often pair them with denim and tailored shirts, while women style them with relaxed tailoring, flowing dresses, or denim. The boots are no longer confined to festivals or rural settings but have become a wardrobe staple suitable for urban and semi-formal wear.
While the article does not provide specific sales data for the Malaysian market, the global momentum suggests potential growth in demand for Western-inspired footwear among local luxury shoppers. Industry observers anticipate that as Western aesthetics continue to influence Southeast Asian fashion, cowboy boots could see increased adoption in Malaysia’s premium retail landscape.
Related: Kuala Lumpur