No dainty loafers here… that sound you hear is the stomping of the season’s must-have military footwear: the combat boot
WORDS BY RYAN THOMPSON
While there will always be a place in your sartorial rotation for a slick pair of derbies and some loveable brogues, the must-have footwear of the moment has an altogether more muscular aesthetic.
Yes, the military boot has stolen quite a march over it's more delicate (aforementioned) cousins, perfectly complementing this season’s oversized knitwear and jacket trends but also seamlessly capping off a monochrome look - just reference any recent Rick Owens collection to see how effective a strong black combat boot can be in a minimal wardrobe.
High on our wishlist are these zip-fronted storm troopers by Saint Laurent, the perfect footwear accompaniment for contemporary urban attire, think black jeans or cropped wool pants worn with a longline T-shirt or hoodie and a statement bomber jacket.
They’re followed closely by Neil Barrett’s no-nonsense boots emblazoned with his signature lightning bolt graphic. And this dynamic duo are still refined enough to dress up with more directional items by the likes of Rick Owens, Private Stock and Damir Doma.
Shop the look: Saint Laurent Boots, Neil Barrett Military Boots
Then there’s Helmut Lang’s chunky leather kickers, which are in a category all of their own: we’re calling it ‘apocalyptic’. Wear with oversized outerwear and distressed knits, or take them in a more technical direction with some Moncler x Craig Green pieces.
The military motif is also morphed into more versatile styles, such as Christian Pellizzari’s eye-catching, punk-inspired studded boots. They draw nicely upon punk subculture by taking a classic military shape and dressing it up with stud and strap details. Suffice to say they’re not for wallflowers, so wear them with a strong streetwear look, layering with hoodies, sweats and overcoats.
Shop the look: Helmut Lang Boots, Christian Pellizzari Boots
But never mind the b***ocks, here are the boots...
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