Everything You Didn’t Know You Wanted to Know About Boots: Platforms, Wedges, and Thigh Highs
If you’ve been to the mall lately, you’ve noticed that nearly every store is featuring some sort of boot. What’s up with that? Well, boots are back in style! Growing in popularity as a fashion trend rather than as a shoe to wear out of practical necessity, the boot now boasts a place on the runways for 2010.
Make Way for the Boot: Booting Out the Competition
Women’s boots originated as a more gender-neutral shoe that was worn primarily to protect the foot. The Egyptians, Etruscans, and Romans all wore boot-like sandals to shield their feet during war; the Etruscans also wore boots as protection from the harsher elements of nature.
In the 18th century, boots were popularized for both men and women as appropriate horseback-riding attire. The style caught on and evolved into what we now know as the cowboy boot, which is still a popular style both in the West and in Western-themed bars. Today, many different styles of boots grace the streets, including the distinctive trends of platform boots, wedge boots, and thigh-high boots.
Platform Boots: High Height and High-Class
Originally popularized through the Gothic style of fashion, major designer labels have now added the women’s platform boot to their collections, creating an edgy and sophisticated look. Platform boots offer additional height without forcing the foot into an awkward ninety-degree angle. The Gucci Velvet cuffed platform boot features a 4.5 inch heel and a.5 inch platform, reducing the strain on your foot while still giving you height. With its sleek shape and suede material, the Velvet is a shoe fit only for a fashion diva.
Wedge Boots for Natural-Looking Height
If your ideal shoe gives you both height and comfort, then women’s wedge boots were made for you! Wedges, though often 4-5 inches high, provide a flat surface for your foot to rest upon when walking, rather than the angle created by a stiletto. Wedges are often also accompanied by a platform underneath the toes of the feet, again to decrease the angle of the foot with the added height of the shoe. Robert Clergerie’s Cutout wedge boot offers not only height but a trendy modern play on the traditional boot style as well. With a 4.75 inch heel and a 2 inch platform, the Cutout also offers a round toe, a back zip, and a sleek suede upper that provides the canvas for funky cutouts that will make your feet the envy of your friends.
Want to be Noticed? Wear a Thigh-High Boot!
If you enjoy being a bold trendsetter, go for the chic new style of thigh-high boots. Thigh-high boots are most often paired with short skirts, and, though usually seen on the dance floor of clubs, women’s thigh-high boots are the cutting edge of fashion. Stuart Weitzman’s thigh-high boot is a chic example of this new trend. With a dramatic 5.25 inch stiletto and a flirty lace-up back (all the way up to the thigh!), you can’t go wrong with this thigh-high boot if you love being noticed.
Boots Can’t Get Booted Out: They’re Back in Style!
Women’s boots have returned as a fashion statement after a bit of a hiatus. Coming a long way from their original purpose of protecting the feet, both from the elements and during war, boots are now used to accessorize trendy outfits. Boots come in all shapes and sizes, from platforms to wedges to thigh-highs. With so many styles to choose from, finding the perfect women’s boot style for you should be a fun challenge!
