Cowboy boots and Irish scarves

Cowboy boots and Irish scarves have nothing in common, except for craftsmanship. Usually when one hears about classic fashion items one pictures grandma in her cashmere twin set and pearls, but the two items below aren't just for grandma.

Last year I bought myself a pair of black Lucchese boots. Lucchese is made in Texas, and is the classic cowboy boot. Their products are beautifully handcrafted and offer excellent value, since the craftsmaship is comparable to much pricier footwear.

I've worn my boots several times a week when the weather's cool enough. They are very comfortable - comfortable enough for walking around all day, offer great arch support, are fully lined in leather, and are sturdy enough to toil though rain and mud (they are not waterproof, though). They look great with trousers and jeans. While they're not the fad now, they still look stylish with casual and semi-casual clothes. I don't wear these boots with skirts since I prefer to avoid the square-dance look, but they could be worn with skirts.

If you have the opportunity before you order them, try the ones you like at a store. I have narrow ankles and mine fit perfectly.

While I'm providing the link to the Amazon associates item, if you're going to purchase a pair of Lucchese, make sure to do a Froogle search. You'll probably find the ones you like at a discounted price.

Not available through Amazon, but available locally in Princeton, are the Patrick Francis scarves at Landau's (800) 257-9445.
They are made in Ireland of 50% silk and 50% cashmere, lightweight while very warm, and beautiful.

The craftsmanship is superb and can only be best appreciated in person - much silkier and softer than pashmina, with hand-knotted fringe, the scarves caress your neck.

All the scarves have Celtic-knot jacquard patterns that are subtle yet elegant. Click on the photo for a better look.

One word describes these scarves: exquisite.

The scarves are priced in the $60-$70 range, and need dry-cleaning. With that in mind, they'd be the perfect gift for a lucky lady.