Retro Boots!

In a fashion world that seems to always be thinking ever-forward, it is perhaps a great show of innovation to be willing to take inspiration from the distant past.  Retro styled boots can bring a whimsical touch to your wardrobe and give even your trendiest outfit a classic appeal.

A perfect example is Gwen Stefani’s Rosebury boot, available at Nordstrom.com for $520.  A Victorian inspired, stacked heeled boot with a patent leather toe cap and coordinating buttons, it looks as though it would be paired just as easily with skinny leg jeans as it would with a corseted ankle-length fashion from the 1800’s.  It can be worn with pants, dresses or skirts (long and short), and would be superb with a wool skirt and French cuffed white shirt, a smoky eye, and ruby red lips.

Unlike a lot of fashion lines started by celebrities, Gwen Stefani seems to really be taking this ‘designing thing’ seriously.  Her premier line, L.A.M.B. is on its sixth year and is sold in close to 300 stores worldwide.  Much like Stefani herself, L.A.M.B. is a combination of classic, tailored fashion and hard edge rock n’ roll sensibility.  L.A.M.B. Shoes, a separate and distinct part of the L.A.M.B. line, partners with the Australian shoe making company Royal Elastic to produce their foot ware.

Rosebury is available in two color combinations:  A matte grey with black patent leather toe and buttons, and a deep emerald green with patent leather brown toe and cross flap.  The heel is 4”, and the entire shoe (upper, sole, and insole) are made from leather.  Both color combinations are beautiful, but the green/brown is an interesting alternative since you rarely see emerald green leather boots.

Another fun twist on a retro styled boot is the Victorian inspired Debutante Heel by Shoes for Lovely People. Available in black, or a super funky grape purple, these boots are beautifully detailed with quilting at the heel and leather buttons on the side.

The 3” heel is high enough to wear with a dress, but these would be just as snazzy paired with a simple pair of blue jeans and a high-necked blouse.  Available for $154 at Zappos.com, they are an affordable addition to any girl’s wardrobe, and will definitely get noticed from across the room.  Don’t be afraid to play with contrasting colors.  Perhaps pairing these with a chartreuse skirt or a pair of pumpkin pants will make them stand out even more.

When it comes to retro styling, remember that your goal is not to recreate a style from the past as if you are wearing a costume.  The retro pieces should add a unique element to your modern ensemble, and give you a softer edge.

Gwen Stefani Boots