Fighting with the gladiator for the leading look of the year is the shoe-boot or bootie. A strange hybrid that is cropped at the ankle, a boot that thinks it's a shoe.
If this spring is the season of the waist, then this coming fall is the season of the ankle. Shoe-boots rule for Fall 2008.
Shoe-boots (or booties) initially emerged on the runways last year, and have since gone down a storm. Not quite a shoe and not yet an ankle boot, this fashion-forward footwear is one of the leading looks of 2008. Booties can be found at every fashion show, online fashion site and shopping mall.
All it has taken is some high-profile A-listers, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna (two of the ten darlings of the designers, who are known to shift a dress or two, according to Imogen Edwards-Jones in her kiss-and-tell fashion exposé, Fashion Babylon ), and before you know it, loads of 20 and 30-something fashionistas are clamoring to buy a celebrity inspired pair. Gwyneth Paltrow recently took London by storm in a pair of towering £600 Givenchy lace-up shoe-boots, for the film premier of her movie Iron Man.
Shoes for Summer 2008
This summer, Givenchy, Louboutin, Fendi and Chloé are pack leaders when it comes to the bootie. There are styles from the demure to the ferocious, and Christian Louboutin's Moro shoe boot (£525) looks as if it might be more at home on the stage of Chicago, the musical, than the catwalk.
At high-end designer, Net-A-Porter are currently sellling an edgy pair of bondage inspired Chloé strappy shoe boots (£362), and Marc Jacobs has a two tone zipped bootie (£142) which is perfect for cooler days.
Shoes for Fall 2008
Shoes for fall are chunky and clunky and sometimes eccentric; picking up on the gladiator trend of previous seasons. London Fashion Week for Fall 2008 saw runway collections inspired by cross-country ski boots (Paul Smith), cut and modified with a dash of color here and there. Scottish tartan makes a comeback on the runways (House of Holland) with tartan platformed shoe-boots and matching laces.
There is a touch of the Harley biker set (or motorcycle babe chic). Harsh embellishments like chains, zippers and studs can be seen on clothing, bags, footwear and belts. Gucci’s fall collection, warrior-like studded shoe-boots are no exception.
Black, blue and gray are the order of the day, so are croc skins and patent python. There is also a touch of the austere – a cross between masculine chic and Miss Haversham. Victorian style lace ups are highlighted on the runways, but cropped lower at the ankle (hence the shoe-boot), than the traditional slightly higher ankle-boot. Online retailer Asos has a funky strawberry print pair at £100.
The Chloé ready-to-wear collection features a range of feminine booties, engulfed in autumn leaves, with pointed toes, and the occasional wedge.
After the flurry of excitment caused by Balenciaga’s warrior-woman gladiator sandals this spring, the fall collection of shoe-boots is positively demure in comparison. Balenciaga’s Pink Patent Escarpin Booties, have a touch of feminine and futuristic about them. Whether it is the mirrored leather or the pointed toe, these booties will be the epitome of chic with a pencil skirt, taking the sexy secretary trend to a whole new level.
How To Wear Shoe-Boots
Shoe-boots or ankle-boots can be tricky things to wear. You can murder a look by adding these booties to a knee-length dress or skirt. Keep your skirts short when wearing these. The chunkiness of the shoe will also compliment a feminine mini dress.
These booties go well with long tunic tops and skinny jeans. However, wear them with care, or you may be in danger of them resembling a pair of pigs trotters! Whatever your outfit, shoe boots are meant to be noticed. Don’t hide them under floaty maxi dresses or under long baggy pants.
If you are the right side of 25, then for a sexy schoolgirl (Preppy) look, wear lace-up ankle boots with layered socks over tights. Socks plus tights is an edgy look for this coming fall.
If you must wear shoe-boots with longer-length skirts and dresses, then that bastion of style advice, Style.com suggests wearing them with opaque tights, to elongate the leg.
Disadvantages of Shoe–Boots
Aside from possibly looking like a farmyard animal, the problem with any shoes that finish around the ankle is that they can make your legs look chunkier than they really are. Therefore, if you have thick ankles or wide calves go for a style that is neither too chunky or too dainty. Sleek black and matt gray can be slimming colors. If you want to create the illusion of slimmer legs then match them with the same color opaque tights, to give a lean, fluid look.
