Get the Boot

How to shop for cowboy boots, a wardrobe essential for real Texans

If there is one thing we Texans must have in our wardrobe, it's a good pair of boots. Whether you wear them daily, occasionally or only for the Cattle Baron's Ball, cowboy boots are the ultimate expression of our Texas pride. But, like any other type of shoe, there are differences in shape, color, material and fit. So how do you choose?

Recently Pinto Ranch announced a new line of boots, Rios of Mercedes, which has been expertly crafted by hand for more than 150 years in Mercedes, Texas. The new collection for Pinto Ranch was designed specifically for the store and its customers.

Forget what your mother told you about needing to break in a new pair of shoes. Pinto Ranch's Mike Burchett says the right boots should feel great in the showroom.

"It's our first major boot brand introduction in the last five years," says Mike Burchett, Pinto Ranch merchandise manager. "All of the components are leather, including the toe-box and heel."

With this news, and because Pinto Ranch has the largest selection of handmade boots in the country, we asked these experts for advice on how to shop for a pair of boots.

If you're buying boots for the first time, forget what your mother told you about needing to break in a new pair of shoes. Burchett advises shoppers to focus on fit first. "A new boot wearer should look for comfort when purchasing a pair," Burchett says. "New boots should feel great on your feet in the showroom. You should not have to break them in."

Burchett says there are three key elements to consider when shopping for a good boot: all-leather components, a fit that is "true to your foot" and hand craftsmanship. "When you have all three, you have your perfect boot," he says.

Once you find a line that meets your standards of comfort, then you can focus on skin type — from basic leathers to exotics such as python, lizard or ostrich — and toe shape. Next, consider flourishes such as colored leathers, hand-stitched patterns and customized embroidery.

Pinto Ranch's new Rios of Mercedes line meets all the requirements. The collection includes exotic skins, and, with prices ranging from $495-$1,495, it's affordable to boot.

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See the new Rios of Mercedes line of handcrafted boots at the upcoming trunk show on Saturday, February 9.

Pinto Ranch recently added a new line of to its collection of handmade boots: Rios of Mercedes.

Photo courtesy of Pinto Ranch

Pinto Ranch recently added a new line of to its collection of handmade boots: Rios of Mercedes.

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Holiday shopping

New giant Quge-tip from Dallas-based Q-tip sells out in 24 hours

Q-Tip

Q-tip's Quge-tip

A giant version of an everyday product has sold out in 24 hours: Called the Quge-tip, it's a 6-foot version of the iconic Q-tip, the beauty staple that's been around for more than a century.

Measuring nearly six feet from tip to tip, Quge-tips feature enlarged swabs and a sturdy stick modeled after the original Q-tips swabs design.

The Quge-tip was released on December 9 and sold exclusively online in limited quantities for $35. Alas, according to a spokesperson for Dallas-based Elida Beauty, the parent company of Q-tip, the product flew off the virtual shelf.

"Now that they’re sold out, Q-tips is surprising fans with social giveaways," the spokesperson says.

The Quge-tip is one of two products just released by Dallas companies — both of which feel like they could be April Fools Day jokes — except that both are for real.

Dave & Buster's Claw PurseD&B

Dave & Buster's Claw Purse
The Dallas-based eatertainment chain is leveling up holiday gifting with the debut of the Claw Purse, a limited-edition purse designed by Chain. The Claw Purse is inspired by one of the brand's most iconic games — the claw machine — and according to a release, is "the season's most unexpected fashion statement" for anyone who loves bold style, nostalgia, and a little bit of play.

To mark a milestone for the brand, the Claw Purse launches alongside the expansion of Dave & Buster's Human Crane, a viral, full-body game experience that turns guests into the claw — where they are lowered down into a bin of huge prizes to grab whatever they choose.

Beginning in December 2025, the Human Crane will appear in over 112 Dave & Buster's locations with additional stores rolling out nationwide throughout the season.

But back to the purse: It made its debut at Chain's Holiday House, an event at the company's HQ in L.A., where "it quickly became a crowd favorite among creators, stylists, and culture icons," or so says the release. Which also calls this "the first creative collaboration" between Dave & Buster's and Chain, bringing together Dave & Buster's beloved gameplay with Chain's signature culture-forward point of view. So maybe there will be more collaborations in the future.

Q-tip's Qugetip Q-tip's Quge-tipQ-tip

Q-tips Quge-tips
The Quge-tip is a nearly six-foot supersized version of the "iconic" Q-tip cotton swab, first invented in 1923 and the go-to for beauty, baby care, first aid, cleaning, and everyday moments that call for a gentle, precise touch.

The six-foot Quge-tip features enlarged swabs and a sturdy stick modeled after the original Q-tips swabs design — offering a new way to experience an iconic tool at a dramatically large scale, designed as a playful, oversized tribute.

The release nots that Quge-tips tap into a rising trend of consumers using Q-tips swabs for alternative tasks, which now make up a meaningful share of cotton swab use: From dusting high shelves and cleaning hard-to-reach corners to large-scale art projects.

The six-foot Quge-tip features enlarged swabs and a sturdy stick modeled after the original Q-tips swabs design — offering a new way to experience an iconic tool at a dramatically large scale.

The company insists it's a real thing — they do a very funny video mocking late-night ads for cheap products — and that after debuting at qugetips.com on December 9, they sold out of their initial run. One note: They do not reveal how many Quge-tips were sold. It could just be, like 10 that were for sale.

There's a chance they'll be doing another issue, and they encourage interested shoppers to diligently follow their social media.

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