Texas bootmaker Zephan Parker says cowboy-style success always starts with comfort and confidence.
Zephan Parker and his team of crafters have brought cowboy-boot dreams to life for a decade now. His Houston, Texas, outfit, Parker Boot Co., has made its name on bespoke artisanship: Clients meet Parker and his folks, dream up their desired boots sourced from hundreds of leathers and materials, and are presented with a perfectly unique bespoke pair several months later.
Parker has fitted all kinds of clients with coveted kicks, from working cowboys to well-established mogul types in the vein of Yellowstone’s fictional John Dutton.
“We’re in a traditional trade, so we are pulling from different spectrums,” Parker tells us from his Houston headquarters, where everything is done in-house. “You’ve got business professionals in suits in downtown Dallas, and then guys out in San Angelo who drive a cattle trailer every day. The essence of their spirit is identical — they’re trying to get the ranch and the harvest, or trying to keep it.”
On Parker: Steton beaver felt hat, Drake's of London pocket square, vintage Ralph Lauren sport coat, Hamilton white oxford shirt, vintage Levi's, Parker Boot Co. wester tooled belt, Parker Boot Co. roughout boots, Cartier tank wristwatch (not shown).
The common denominator among boot customers, Parker says, is the desire to look and feel confident in Western wear. He considers it part of his calling to educate clients on how to feel and look at home with the hat-and-boot aesthetic.
“Even if you have someone that dresses Western in a private setting, the most confident among them are asking about what looks appropriate in public,” Parker says. Turns out it has more to do with the person wearing the clothes than some imaginary cowboy archetype they’re trying to emulate. Parker learned this personally while growing up in the Houston area. He always felt drawn to the traditional cowboy lifestyle so important to his mom’s side of the family.
He identified with legends such as John Wayne because they seemed so familiar: “Wayne was like my grandparents — rugged, [from] cattle country, and outspoken. Tradition is paramount.”
Custom tulle work by Zephan Parker.
At the same time, Parker idolized his dad, who was into rock ’n’ roll and its edgier looks. He also found joy in observing and contributing to colorful graffiti around the city where he grew up. Alternately, Parker had a growing affinity for the casually Western and preppy looks of classic Ralph Lauren. He saw no issue with blending his influences for his own budding personal style.
“I was always the kid who wanted to arrange and redecorate things,” Parker says. “Clothing is an easy way to do that all the time on yourself.
“As far back as I can remember I was trying to arrange things and pull in a Western symbol. Maybe a pearl snap shirt, maybe a belt. That was synonymous with what Ralph did, but it was a way to connect back to the raw gritty Americana vibe.”
Boots at Parker Boot Co. are handmade from start to finish.
His Calling
Parker fashioned a career out of his talent for curating signature looks. He was bit by what he calls “the boot bug” after collecting Ropers throughout his teens, and he began to gain knowledge of the industry through apprenticeships in Texas — with both Jass Boot Shop and Kimmel Boot Company. Parker later moved his young family back to Houston and opened his shop, first advertising repair services, but also offering custom handmade pairs.
A decade into the successful bootmaking journey, Parker is now branching out even more with a “made-to-order” line of boots. What does that mean? Well, one can now order a pair of handmade boots from Parker’s company without coming in for the full bespoke creation experience. They’re at a different price structure and made ready-to-order, but none of the quality of the bespoke pairs is sacrificed.
Parker Boot Co. produces its boots from its design studio in Houston.
“We [wanted to] be able to deliver something for which someone could just click a button and order their size, rather than coming in [and waiting].
“That boot will then distribute out of our little factory here, in four to six weeks. The fundamental difference between what we do, and what everyone else does in terms of this made-to-order, is we’re a custom boot company and everything we build is in-house. There’s no outsourcing. We’re offering universal craftsmanship throughout the whole line.”
Parker Boot Co. offers bespoke and made-to-order boots and belts.
Check out Zephan Parker's style tips and favorite Parker Boot Co. products.
From our July 2024 issue.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy Parker Boot Co.
