Nothing says Western like a great pair of cowboy boots. More than just footwear, they are an attitude, a statement, and a nod to great style. That's exactly what sisters Margaret Walker and Sarah Caruth had in mind when they launched Fraulein Boot Company as an homage to the past, a love letter to Texas, and a brand designed for women who want to look good while they embody the Lone Star spirit.
The sisters grew up immersed in Western culture in Kingwood, just outside Houston. Their first rodeo experiences were at the Astrodome, where they watched legends like George Strait and Reba McEntire perform. As children, they were starstruck by Crystal Gayle's 1987 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo performance, twirling around their house with makeshift long hair, dreaming of the stage. Years later, those dreams transformed, not into music, but into the art of designing boots with a distinctive vintage charm.
Named after their late father's favorite song, Fraulein Boots are handcrafted in Mexico by a legendary bootmaker with a history dating back to 1850. Every pair is designed with precise attention to detail, including handpicked leathers, intricate stitching, and a focus on comfort. "You can have the prettiest boot on earth, but if it isn't comfortable, you'll never wear it," Margaret says. "Our boots are made to last, and right out of the box, they feel like an old favorite."
Their latest release, the Texas Collection, is personal. "It's our love letter to Texas," Margaret explains. It is inspired by the state's landscapes, nostalgia of their childhood road trips, and the spirit of Texas women. "Our designs are vintage-inspired," Sarah adds. "We always ask ourselves, is this timeless? Does it capture the heritage of cowboy boots?"
With three collections under their belts since launching nearly four years ago, Fraulein Boot Company continues to gain loyal fans. Their styles range from snip toe to square, shorties to tall tops, each pair embodying Western elegance with a retro twist. The sisters are committed to maintaining traditional craftsmanship. "Our boots are all leather, hand-lasted, hand-stitched, and hand-pegged," Sarah says. "It's not fast fashion. These boots are built the way our grandparents' boots were and meant to last for generations."
Beyond design, the duo splits responsibilities fairly easily. With a background in PR, Margaret manages marketing and social media, while Sarah oversees operations and inventory. They note that their dynamic works because of their complementary skill sets. "We often joke that we share a brain," Margaret laughs. "There are never creative challenges. It's magic. The only time we argue is when we're tired or hungry."
Fans of the brand have responded enthusiastically to the boot's designs and built-in comfort. One even wore her Fraulein boots to the Austin City Limits Festival, walking over ten miles without a single blister. "That's the best compliment we can get," Sarah says.
As they look ahead, the sisters have plenty more designs in the pipeline. "We're always thinking about the next collection," Margaret says. While trends may come and go, Fraulein Boot Company remains dedicated to timeless Western craftsmanship, designed by Texas women for Texas women, with a love for the past and a stylish step into the future. frauleinboots.com