Get the True El Paso Boot Experience at Lucchese
As a boot-a-holic, I love everything there is about boots, and when I found out that El Paso has a boot capital of the world, I was in boot heaven. I mean seriously, did you know that El Paso, TX has more boot manufacturers in its city than anywhere else in the State?
El Paso is great for its margaritas picturesque mountain views, but delving into the history of boots and finding every kind of boot I could ever imagine was an experience only a boot lover will understand.
So, here is my first-hand experience of the heaven of all moments: a boot making factory from the skin to the heels that have been selling boots since the war in 1883! Take a look at Lucchese and get the true El Paso Boot Experience.
The Meeting Room
As I went into my heavenly factory, the first place I looked at was the meeting room. The meeting room at Lucchese was incredibly decked with boots and a rich history. It really is like a museum all in its own.
In this room, you have only just begun your journey through informational and historical facts of who has bought what from Lucchese as well as how each boot is intricately designed and created.
If you think this meeting room is amazing, you are going to absolutely love the rest of the factory!
The History of Lucchese
This boot making extravaganza of a factory has been making boots since 1883 for soldiers in the field. In fact, they still make boots for our soldiers. How incredible is that? Not only have they created boots for soldiers, but they have made presidential boots, country music star boots, and huge box office actor boots. Here are just a few of the people they have made boots for:
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- George W. Bush- In fact, you get to see the very ones he wore at his inauguration. How cool?!
- Willie Nelson
You never know the path a pair of boots has walked until you walk into this factory. It is truly a remarkable experience.
The Color
Did you know the colors of boots are a story all on their own? A pair of boots is not just a pair of boots. The colors of the boots tend to be rich and vibrant to show the personality of the person who is wearing them. They define someone’s way of life, their passion, and what they love.
Every boot I saw was different from the previous. The designs, the textures, and the intricate details all different and immaculate. I wanted to try them all on, walk in the shoes of someone else, and feel the power behind each boot.
How the Boots are Made
While touring through the factory, I was lucky enough to see just how these incredible boots were put together. Which let me tell you; it is incredible.
Every single stitch is handmade. Real people are sitting there stitching each boot stitch by stitch and detail by detail. There is no production line, no machines doing the work, and no two boots being made the same. This is why these boots all look different, perfect, and have amazingly held up even during war time.
The end result is a genuine handmade pair of boots made exactly for the person who wears them. The crafting of the boots is truly an artisan, a passion, and not just a byproduct.
The Cobra Skins
Just a word of advice, if you get creeped out by snakes, you may want to ask them not to show you their skins. Although the Cobra skins really creeped me out, it was fascinating to see real animal skins being used in the crafting of these boots. You can’t get anymore real than that! EWE!
Actually, every boot starts from a skin. It could be alligator, python, ostrich, or any other skin. They choose skin leathers that have color on both sides.
Why They Continue to Have Success
Many times, you will see a company that sells a great product, but as the greed of money sets in, they begin using cheaper products, making employees work faster to produce more quantity. In essence, the quality goes down, and eventually, the business isn’t what it once was.
However, at Lucchese, employees are not paid per piece they do. Rather, they are paid a salary so that craftsmanship is not lost in trying to make more money by making more boots. What an amazing concept! More companies need to foster this kind of thinking.
With this much craftsmanship, it is no wonder each pair of boots is priced at $600-$900 a pair. You truly get what you pay for!
What do you think of Lucchese? Would you pay the high ticket price for some of the best boots in the world? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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