Heading into a new year a new style norm…we’re asking ourselves: Are combat boots in style or a passing fad? And how to wear combat boots?
The best footwear trends of 2020
Other than our favorite house slippers, the only things we’re wearing out of the house lately are haute sneakers (think Golden Goose sneakers) and combat boots—which reigned supreme in fall-winter and spring-summer designer collections, especially Prada, Balenciaga, and Givenchy.
Niche brands like Dr. Marten’s and R13 are hugely popular right now because their chunky boots are exaggerated and hyperbolic. Iridescent faux fish scales, anyone?
So are combat boots in style? Yes, they’re 100% a reflection of the moment, which in its complexity and challenges, requires strength, stability, and bold style.
Are combat boots the new stiletto for 2021?
Let’s be clear. The stiletto isn’t going anywhere. It’s a fashion staple! Did you know Cesare Casadei developed the ultimate stiletto heel in 2011 when the label introduced The Blade? It’s stiletto heel is actually five inches of stainless steel sculpted to resemble a medieval blade.
History aside, combat boots deserve equal consideration. No longer reserved for punks hanging out downtown, combat boots are: comfortable, stable, and all-weather. Plus, they look good with a range of styles, from minidresses to jeans and a blazer.
So how to wear combat boots? The short answer is, pretty much with anything!
Flat heeled boots are making their presence known this Winter
Hey, who wants to bother with sky-high heels when the clubs are closed? The chic choice this winter is flat-heeled boots. We’ve seen a surge of interest in Stuart Weitzman’s flat 5050 boots and Lowland boots, which are both high visual drama without the toe-pinching or arch aching.
Even Isabel Marant, who is well-known for her Western-inspired design storylines, has a worthy flat-heeled alternative to a high heel: the Duerto. This season it comes in a gorgeous lavender suede.
Italian Footwear Sizes Explained
We know. Sizing is the perpetual challenge when ordering footwear online. We’re here to help.
Most designer shoes follow the European (Italian) system of sizing, though some follow the French system (e.g. Isabel Marant) or UK system (e.g. Prada men’s).
Italian shoe sizes reflect the length of the last (the wooden “foot” the shoe is molded and built around), measured in millimeters, and divided by two-thirds.
Today, luxury designer shoe sizing typically follows this tradition, from size 35 (52.5mm) up to size 48.5 (72.75mm). “IT” and “EU” are typically interchangeable and reflect this 34-48 range of sizes for both women and men.
It’s best to know what your size is in US and IT sizing systems as a starting point, and then verify whether a designer or model of shoe runs small, large, or true to size. Then, you can order with confidence!
See our sizing article for more details!
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About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.