Cowgirl Boots
Nov 25, 2025
Writer: Lindsey Dufault
Editor: Maisie Page
My creative writing professor wore brown cowgirl boots to my class this morning. At first, this might just seem like a quirky fashion choice, but the sight of those boots stirred something familiar in me. They reminded me of my hometown in Wyoming, the dusty gravel streets, mountain-top concerts, and everyday details that once felt ordinary, but now are precious memories. Small, unexpected details can connect us back to home, reminding us that belonging is often found in ordinary things we notice.
In Wyoming, boots are more than fashion; they represent a lifestyle often unknown by many. Rooted in the utilitarian riding boots of the 19th century American West, cowgirl boots represent a tradition prominent in cowboy culture. In the 1970s these boots were adopted by feminists as a symbol of strength, independence, and empowerment, moving beyond their association with the ranch and rodeo lifestyle. Today, cowgirl boots are a popular fashion item taking over the Hill and bleachers of Scott Stadium.
On my way to my Spanish class I passed a man carrying an acoustic guitar. In high school, I would come home, and my brother would play the guitar for hours, offering my home a live concert and relaxing background music. A week ago, I hiked Humpback Mountain. This experience echoed the endless hikes in my backyard back home. These fragments of familiarity remind us that belonging isn’t tied to geography but to recognition and memory. Just as these boots spark memories, so do these other small details.
Humans find comfort in familiar sensory cues such as sounds, smells, and sights. Everyone has their own “cowgirl boots”. For my roommate it’s seeing someone wearing a University of California, Berkeley sweatshirt. But for someone else, it might be the smell of fresh maple syrup or the sound of “Sweet Caroline” being sung. Cues like these help us all feel grounded when away from home; it’s why taking advantage of each moment is so important.
My professor's boots weren’t just footwear, but rather a reminder that home lingers in all the details. Belonging is not always about place; it’s about noticing the small, familiar things that carry home to wherever we are standing. So today, I encourage you to open your eyes and look for your home. I promise you will find it somewhere. Sometimes, all it takes is a professor’s fashion choice to remind us that home is never too far away.
