Often, as I take my tour groups over San Antonio, I am asked where they can buy cowboy boots, Stetson (or reasonable facsimile thereof), hats, jeans, and other articles of Western clothing. Mexican influenced clothing is popular, and a lot of the women admire and want to purchase some of the lovely ethnically-inspired articles of apparel many San Antonio women wear.

I have compiled this list to help you find just what you might be looking for. I wear Western wear a great deal of the time, and my husband is not comfortable without his boots and broad brimmed hat, Western style trousers, and Western cut shirts. As a Special Texas Ranger, retired from the state police after thirty-seven years, he just wouldn’t look natural without them. And we are good shoppers, so I hope these recommendations will be helpful to you.

There are a few places in the downtown area where you might find some Western items. Since many of you are probably staying in downtown hotels and without your own transportation, I’ll address your needs first before mentioning a number of places that are scattered all over town and require your own "wheels."

WESTERN CLOTHING ITEMS LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN

Boot Hill
River Center Mall
210.223.6634

That’s what they have – boots! Other Western items as well. Drop in; you’ll enjoy their friendly sales staff.

Dillard’s Department Store
102 Alamo Plaza, Rivercenter Mall
210.227.4343
http://www.dillards.com(search for store location)

A wonderful designer Western department is on the ground floor level, just behind the handbags. If you need a special outfit for the convention you’re attending or just want a special something to take home, you’ll find upscale classic Western elegance here. Some beautiful turquoise, coral, and silver jewelry is on display as well.

Paris Hatters
119 N. Broadway, just a few doors off Houston Street
210.223.3453
http://www.parishatters.com

This small shop specializes in all sorts of hats – dress, casual, golf, Western – and also offer cleaning and blocking. They carry quite a nice selection of boots as well. They've been in business in this location for more than 80 years.

Penner’s Men’s Store
311 West Commerce Street
Across from the Spanish Governor’s Palace
210.226.2487
http://www.pennersinc.com

This store, which has been in business since 1916, stocks a few Western cut shirts. But it’s most noted for the wide selection of Guayabera shirts they keep in stock in all colors and styles and a wide range of sizes. In fact, Penner’s claims the largest selection of Guayaberas in the world. These comfortable shirts are summer classics in San Antonio, where the temperature hovers in the 90s or higher during much of the summer. Worn outside, the tucked and pocketed shirts are acceptable attire in most offices in the city. You might want to purchase several for your next cruise or to wear while you are enjoying your visit here. Free parking is available in the lot behind the store, which is also on the trolley route down Commerce Street.

The Reservation
409 River Center Mall
210.226.0935

These folks will be glad to show you a dazzling collection of silver and turquoise reservation-made Indian jewelry, everything from squash blossom necklaces to men’s silver bolo ties in both modern and traditional designs. All sorts of interesting gift items are displayed as well.

The Silver Spur
210 Alamo Plaza in the Menger Hotel
With entries from both the street and the hotel lobby
210.354.0906

This small boutique offers elegant, upscale Western wear for the discerning woman. They have beautiful skirts, shirts, accessories, jewelry, and the beautiful beaded collars for which they are famous. The addition of one of these little gems to your plain old black blouse will turn you into an instant hit at the next cocktail party you attend! I never go on a trip without mine, packed in a little plastic sandwich bag!

WESTERN WEAR LOCATED IN OTHER AREAS

Boot Hill
8023 Callaghan Road
210.341.4685

They offer the same merchandise as the Rivercenter Mall location.

Boot Town
2803 North East Loop 410, 210.590.9229
5607 North West Loop 410, 210.509.6387

They carry Wranglers®, Levis®, boots, and name brand Western wear.

Cavender’s Boot City
8640 Four Winds Drive, 210.590.2668
5075 North West Loop 410, 210.520.2668
303 North West Loop 410 at San Pedro, 210.377.4241

Wranglers, Levis, all the name brand Western duds – and they give you a free belt buckle with every purchase!

Gil’s Boots And Western Wear
4803 Rigsby
210.333.5241
http://www.gilsboots.com

They carry Justin, Tony Lama and Georgia Work Boots as well as a good line of Western wear.

Nowlen’s Western Wear
8701 Perrin Beitel just off Loop 410
210.655.8356

A good source for boots and jeans, shirts, and belts.

The Painted Pony
4335 McCullough
210.820.3444
http://www.paintedpony.com

This small boutique offers interesting Country-Western items that you just won’t find elsewhere. The attractive jackets, vests, and coordinated shirts and skirts, as well as some gift items for the home, are the products of local designer Kathy Hoermann. Her label, Painted Pony®, is well known in fine stores all over the country, but the prices in the San Antonio store are much lower than what you would find in a fine Eastern seaboard department store. I think you’ll like what you see if you drop by this store.

Shepler’s
6201 North West Loop 410
210.681.8230
http://www.sheplers.com(search for store location)

Although it’s a good distance from downtown, if you REALLY want to see some Western clothing, do drive out to Shepler’s. All the name brand Western clothing for men, women, and even little folks, and a huge selection of hats and boots are always on display there, under one huge roof.

Suggestion: You can make one good drive over to the Northwest side and hit three places that are close together: Shepler’s at 6201 North West Loop 410, Boot Town at 5607 North West Loop 410, and Cavender’s Boot City at 5075 North West Loop 410.

HANDMADE BOOTS

Glenderson Daly
7358 Reindeer Trail
210.682.6668

We have a special boot maker, whom we think is great! His tiny little workshop is just off of Bandera Road. The native of Trinidad was for years the custom boot maker for SAS Shoes here in San Antonio, until a tragic fire destroyed the factory and all of Glen’s equipment. He is finally back at work, making top quality boots for discerning cowboys! (My husband owns three pairs of Daly-made boots.) Glen and two assistants turn out some unbelievable products. Call ahead to be sure he is there before driving out. Boots start at about $650.

Little’s Boots
110 Division Avenue
210.923.222l
http://www.davelittleboots.com

Call for an appointment if you are seriously considering ordering custom boots. Established in 1915, Little’s has crafted boots for generations of San Antonians. Famous entertainers, such as Reba McIntire and Tommy Lee Jones, and writer Alex Haley wear Little's Boots, too. Known for expensive, exotic leathers; intricately detailed art boots; and unique patterns. It will take three or four months to get your order made. Prices start at $750.

Lucchese Boot Company
255 East Basse Road, Suite 800
In the Quarry Market Area
210.828.9419
http://www.lucchese.com

This company has been in the boot business for over 120 years and has outfitted presidents, kings, and movie stars. They also carry a nice line of apparel and accessories. Their boots, which are said to be among the most orthopedically-correct, are also available at Shepler’s and some other Western stores.

TEX-MEX ETHNIC CLOTHING

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a couple of places that have absolutely wonderful Mexican and Guatamalan dresses, skirts, tops, and jackets for the ladies. These are some of my favorite shops:

Angelita
208 South Presa, near downtown
210.224.8362

A lovely shop to browse in to find interesting Mexican ethnic dresses, skirts, blouses, etc.

Los Pueblitos
El Mercado, the Mexican Market
210.212.4898

Browse through three floors of wonderful items. The third floor features some fabulous ready-to-wear. Be sure to see the beautiful cotton items with handmade flower trim made by Mexican designer Anna Rosa of Guadalajara. You won’t see anything like her clothes anywhere else! The shop also features Brighton items, lots of lovely jewelry, handbags, and gift items. They also offer some colorful items from Guatamala – these garments never seem to go out of style.

Marisol Boutique
2211 North West Military Highway, 210.366.1461
7701 Broadway, 210.930.3036

They have a lot of colorful items, many made in Mexico and Guatamala. Some of them are traditional, and others modern in concept; all are of the highest quality.

These are a few of my favorite spots to shop for Western and ethnic clothing. You can probably find even more places to spend your time and money!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Docia Williams, with family roots deep in Texas history, has been a tour guide in San Antonio for nearly four decades. She has written several books on San Antonio and Texas.

© 2003 Our Mail Network, LLC

The City of San Antonio does not warrant or guarantee the quality or condition of any of the businesses in this unique advertising format. The recommendations are based on writers' experiences and do not indicate an endorsement on the part of the city.

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