Seven Australian creatives show us how they style their favourite pair of boots
IMAGE VIA @joainscough/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
A fiend for a good boot.
Boots are the unsung hero of any wardrobe. Whether it’s a classic knee-high style or a vintage cowboy look, there’s a boot for every type of footwear lover. Adding a touch of drama and flair (while keeping your legs warm), a good pair of boots can take you across changing seasons and trends.
Part of their appeal is the fact that most styles seem to be pretty timeless and you can usually find a pair at most secondhand stores or resale sites like eBay. The only catch is finding your size.
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I remember finding countless styles at consignment stores in Japan and feeling deflated each time I realised no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get my foot in there. If anything, it just makes scoring a pre-loved pair all the more exciting. Other times though, it can be worth investing in a well-made pair that ticks all your boxes.
I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of boots ever since, eyeing off the countless different styles people have been sporting around Melbourne and how they’re wearing them. From a miniskirt and shorts to a comfy pair of jeans, it seems like a good pair of boots goes with just about anything.
Monica Morales, she/her, stylist and creative director
After forever being a stilettos girlie, I’m definitely in my small heels era and these boots are perfect for me. They have a mid-heel so I can really run around and do whatever in them. I first saw the style of boot on Bianca Censori wearing the butter yellow suede Miu Miu ones, which I loved on her, but they were so expensive.
When I saw these chocolate Jeffery Campbell ones I had to have them. I love the open toe as I can also wear them in the warmer months and can show off my fresh pedi. Plus, they’re slim cut so they feel very supportive, almost like a sock boot.
Laura Roscioli, she/her, writer
I’d never thought of myself as a cowboy boot girl, but my cowboy boots from Bared Footwear are my favourite boots of the year. I love that they feel badass – with a fat Cuban heel and knee-high – but still classic. I can wear them with anything from a long silk dress to a black mini. They just make every outfit infinitely cooler. Plus, they’re so comfy! I’m definitely in a comfort-first fashion era, but still want to look fab of course, so I just keep finding myself reaching for these baddies.
Nawal Sari, she/her, digital creator
My favourite boots are the Tony Bianco biker wax calf boots! I bought them in June last year and still adore them. They are the perfect boot with a square toe and cute hardware that matches most of my accessories. I mostly love them because they’re the perfect height to pair with midi skirts. They cover my legs without me needing to layer anymore. I usually thrift most of my shoes but these were worth the investment.
Prue Raisbeck, she/her, content creator
I am an absolute boot fiend! No word of a lie, I think I own around 15 pairs. I have a particular inclination towards cowboy boots and this pair is genuine perfection. They’re vegan suede and the perfect calf height with gorgeous little cutouts. I wear these at least twice a week. They’re from Therapy Shoes (and I believe currently on sale for a steal of a price too).
My usual boot styling is with micro shorts, an oversized fun top and some killer sunnies. Or I jazz them up for work with a patterned maxi skirt, baby tee and vintage jacket. Or I wear them with some baggy jeans, a singlet and a blazer for a more casual vibe. I love boots!
Lara Daly, she/her, Fashion Journal‘s Features Editor
Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours scouring The Real Real, Vestiaire Collective and eBay for secondhand Ann Demeulemeester riding boots, to no avail. The curse of having size 41 feet. Finally, on a late-night shopping trip with my sister, I found these Tony Bianco boots at their Melbourne Central store.
While they aren’t my perfect boots of all time (I’d prefer a slightly different shape at the toe), they ticked all my other boxes: a classic riding style, hitting just under the knee, with enough roominess at the top. I love them, they gave me a whole new perspective on my wardrobe and I’ve been wearing them all year ’round.
Jaida The Creator, she/her, designer and founder of Sanctuaire
I’m still growing my boot collection and these puff slipper boots are a sneak peek from my own brand, Sanctuaire. I love them because they’re a statement yet you can easily style them up or down. I typically style boots with mini shorts or baggy shorts and build the rest of the look around that! My go-to look recently is this Champion x Sanctuaire hoodie, Sanctuaire leggings and these puff boots.
Josephine Ainscough, she/her, graphic designer and content creator
My favourite pair of boots are hands-down no-questions-asked these brown buckled Steve Madden biker boots. I daydreamed about owning them for months before I pulled the trigger and bought them online. I love them because they compel people (both young and old) to stop me in the street to comment on them.
Somehow it’s super easy to style them because they work with so many looks, partly due to the ‘unexpected shoe theory’ but also because the distressed brown complements a lot of colours. I’ve owned them for over a year and have no plans to retire them soon. A perfect statement shoe!
For more on the cowboy boot revival, try this.
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