Timara Bolding is so intrigued by fall's boot trends, she might be ready to venture out of her square-toe, sturdy-heel comfort zone.
The Cornelius, N.C. shopper buys two new pairs of ankle boots each fall (one black, one brown), because, she says, she "wears the heck out of them." But this year, she'll be considering a skinnier heel to step up her fashion game at work. And, if the right pair strikes her, she might just dive into a trendier boot.
"There are so many different styles this year, and some that are really cute," she says. "I am not usually a western person, I don't listen to country music, but something about those style boots appeals to me."
Bolding's probably not the only boot lover feeling a bit adventurous. From heel shape and size to embellishments and boot height, this season's boot offerings mean incredible variety and trendlets running the gamut: western, hippy, heavy metal and preppy, to name a few.
The renewed boot fetish comes straight off the runways of New York and Paris. It seems designers can't get enough of boots in all shapes and sizes. During Fall fashion previews this past winter, Michael Kors paired black patent ankle boots with a neon fur coat; Prada showed stiff, brown leather boots that ended mid-thigh with a simple floral patterned mini for a upscale, farm girl look. Heavy metal was the vibe on the runways at Alexander Wang, Balmain and Jean Paul Gaultier as black, buckles and metal studs strutted along side beautifully draped dresses.
Overwhelming? Maybe, but keep in mind trends are simply suggestions to frame your seasonal wardrobe and help you find something that suits your body shape and personal style. Versatility adds to the appeal of boots, says Carlota Espinosa, vice president of fashion at Hautelook.com, a Web site offering designer clothing during limited-time-only sales events. "They are great with jeans and a dress," she says. "They are almost like an accessory, like a necklace. (Women) have so many types of stilettos, and some are not appropriate for work. Boots are something easy, that you can pull on and go day to night, and they can really make an outfit." The range of heel heights is a boon to those who don't care to sacrifice comfort for style, especially when you factor in the emergence of a chic compromise -- a gentle wedge heel. Among the benefits is the subtly of construction -- the wedge can be hidden in the silhouette of a boot (much like a platform can be hidden on a pair of high-heeled shoes). While offering height to those who may shy away from flat boots, the wedge cuts a modern-but-retro profile. It's reminiscent of the 1980s, but not excessively. It's not flat, but it's not exaggerated and it's definitely different.
"Designers are starting to realize women can't stand on a nail all day," says Dan Mauney, owner of Step by Sloan on East Boulevard in Charlotte. "They're wearing boots to carpool, to the football game. They want something versatile." Now, there's a boot for just about every occasion, and women are working them into their wardrobes while the weather is still warm. In the Carolinas, the cowboy boots Bolding is coveting this season are always popular, says KristenGreczyn, owner of Kristen's Shoe Boutique in Cary, and the style is especially adaptable. "Girls wear them with sundresses and short skirts and they look cute," Greczyn says. She has a hard time keeping the distressed Lucchese line in stock, she says, especially the red cowboy boots, which were popular with women wanting to show their N.C. State and Carolina Hurricanes spirit. The western look is masculine and feminine at the same time, says Uri Krause, owner of Via Veneto in Phillips Place in Charlotte. "A western-style riding boot has a fresh look. It's very young. It's a very strong European look." To add a bit of fashion-forward zing to your wardrobe, try shooties, booties or ankle boots; paired with a dark leg, they can turn a simple sheath simply chic.
Embellishments, too, reign this season, toughening up even the most classic style: a flat, knee-high, equestrian-inspired boot. Buckles, metal studs and contrasting pops of color all work to incorporate larger seasonal trends into your wardrobe through boots. The punk aesthetic of a slouchy black leather boot with buckles balances well with a sweater dress; a leopard-print cuff on an ankle boot adds detail to an otherwise unremarkable black wrap dress and gold accessories. One of the more daring trends of the season is thigh-high or over-the-knee boots . When done wrong, thigh-high boots can easily go "Pretty Woman" rather than the couture chic evoked by Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy. "We saw it last season quite a bit, and a lot people weren't quite ready for it, but it's all over in boutiques and in the magazines," says Hautelook.com's Espinosa.
