Fashion Challenge: Summer Boots
Photo Credits: 1 – Andrea via Blonde Bedhead, 2 – Twenty8Twelve Spring 2010 Lookbook, 3 – Elora
When summer comes around, most girls put away their favorite pair of boots and start shopping for colorful gladiators and open-toed flats. This summer, however, is different: Boots aren’t going away. To switch things up a bit, bloggers, designers, and regular fashionistas are turning to boots worn with bare legs, a look that’s a little unexpected in the summer season. When you tire of your go-to flip flops, boots offer a stylish alternative. Boots and bare legs add edge to summer basics and are the perfect trend for this week’s Fashion Challenge.
Tips and Tricks for Rocking Boots in Summer
- Go low. While knee-high (and even over-the-knee) styles were popular this past winter, higher boots are a bit too stuffy for spring and summer. Opt for ankle boots or mid-calf styles(like Picture 2, above) for a lighter look.
- Lighten up. If you still feel like boots look too “heavy” for summer, look for lighter-colored styles. In Picture 1, Andrea wears a caramel-colored boot. Grey, and even white (like Jessica Stroup’s, below), would also look great and would play up your brightly-colored summer wardrobe.
- Experiment with styles. Many ankle and mid-calf boots have a western vibe. Even if you don’t normally look to Dolly Parton for fashion inspiration, a western boot can add something extra to your look. In Picture 3 above, Elora’s western ankle booties lend edge to her seriously girly romper. You can also try western boots as an alternative to grunge-y Doc Marten’s with a floral mini dress.
Get The Look
Product Information: Outfit #1: Black boots – Urban Outfitters, Military shirt – Topshop, Striped tank – Pacsun, Bib necklace – American Eagle, Bangles – Torrid, Shorts – Bluefly Outfit #2: Western boots – Aldo, Earrings – Accessorize, Floral dress – ModCloth
I wanted to prove that boots could work with two completely different styles. For Outfit #1, I went with a tougher look, inspired by a certain stylish starlet that “can’t be tamed”. For Outfit #2, I chose a sweet southern-inspired look. A western-style boot adds grit to a pretty floral dress. Boots can be worn in the summertime to add oomph to your already tough look, or toughen up a girly look; it’s your choice.
So, will you take the Fashion Challenge?
How do you feel about boots for summer? Do you prefer a western or a rock-and-roll style boot? Or, would you forgo boots all together and remain loyal to your Havaianas?
Already work this trend? Send us pictures of you in your summer boots and we’ll feature them here!* As always, we are open to suggestions for future fashion challenges and we’d love to hear from you!
* Send your outfit pictures to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion DOT net! – be sure to include your name and where you go to school, as well as a description of what you’re wearing in the photo!
Posted on on May 26, 2010 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Boots, Dresses, Fashion Challenge, Featured, Spring 2010, Summer, Trends
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Ally
Hmm…this is a fashion challenge indeed! Personally, I would forgo low rise boots altogether because the style is very unflattering on anyone that is not a runway model with long and stick-like legs. Boots that fall between the ankle and the calf will chop your legs, making them appear short and stumpy! My rule of thumb is that boots must hit the fattest part of your calf to work, but this rise is a bit too high for the summer season.
On the other hand, I might opt for some ankle boots for the summer. These can be flattering with bare legs if they hit low enough….like the shoes in the very first picture you posted.
Shannon
I don’t like the idea of wearing boots in the summer. When I see people doing this all I can think about is how hot their feet must be. I’m also not a fan of white boots. I think they look like something to be worn with a costume rather than an everyday outfit, but that’s just me.
CA
Although these are a challenge, I don’t see why anybody would WANT to wear boots in the summer with the huge number of summer perfect options for footwear available!
Samantha
I agree with CA… summer is the only time where you can wear sandals and other cute shoes that don’t cause your feet to sweat… Can you multitask sandals in winter? NO! So enjoy them while you can!!
Bri
What’s a good way to wear Moccaboots? (i.e. Minnetonka’s Triple Fringe Boot in Brown)
Sally
This is one fashion challenge I don’t find intimidating at all. Call me crazy but as a Texas girl I’ve always found this a classic look!
Sierra
Bri- Try wearing the Minnetonkas with distressed jean shorts, simple white v neck and a wide brim floppy hat.That’s how I wear mine :)
JillAnn
I only get to wear sandals three months out of the year so I’m not wasting them. Save boots for the other nine months of the year!
Julie
love this fashion challenge :)
I’ve been on the look out for summer boots in my price range but have thus far struck out
Sari
Sally, I agree with you. It’s a classic look in Florida too- especially with legit cowboy boots. But I guess we do get to wear sandals and other “summer” footwear all year long.
Heather
Considering that I have a grand total of one pair of sandals in my closet, and tons of boots, you can probably guess that this is one challenge I’m already quite committed to.
Meghan
I have the Kara boots from Delais, seen here: http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=52757&categoryID=556&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=
and I LOVE them! I got them in February, but they have transitioned from winter to summer perfectly! In fact, I wore them last weekend with a dress. They are looser fitting around the ankles so they don’t get all hot & sweaty (gross).
I have poor circulation so sometimes my feet get cold when I’m indoors, which is why I decided to wear the boots when I went to a friend’s graduation last weekend.
I will definitely wear these boots all year round!
Katie
I LOVE boots and bare legs in the summer. I don’t know about y’all, but I find that flip flops can get rough on your feet. Boots can be a nice change for potentially battered toes and soles, and I feel like they tend to look much more put together, for when you want to go out comfortably (no heels) but still not look like you just came from the pool.
Ariel
Does anyone know where I can get some boots similar to the ones from Aldo? I have searched but have had no luck :(
Milana
I love boots with dresses, but they’re not comfortable in summer time.
aisj
i love boot in any weather
Casey
Yeah, I agree with Sari, I live in Florida, on the beach, so I wear flip flops year round. Boots really aren’t practical in the summer in Florida, but I love the idea, and would totally rock them regardless!
Audrey - Ohio State University
Ariel,
try these or these. The second ones are a lot cheaper, but still cute!
Hope that helps!
Cathy
I think that boots with dresses is a cute look but not for summer. It’s too hot out to wear anything but flip-flops, sandals, and wedges!
Elle
indeed, it’s only summer-y for four months where I live…BUT it does get cooler in the evenings. i could see wearing a pair of low rise boots with denim shorts, a tank and a cardi at night. i’m not a huge flip-flop fan (call me crazy, but i hate feet lol) so other than my birkenstocks, i don’t own too many pairs of sandals. boots ahoy!
Pe.Riche.
I refuse to wear boots in the summer! Being from the Midwest, winter lasts long enough. And when it’s finally warm outside, I omit any and all forms of “warm weather wear” from my wardrobe. Ballet flats, sandals, and flip flops only in the summer.
Suzi
yes, I’m definitely doing this. Perhaps not on the hottest of days, but for evenings and slightly cooler days, I love wearing my boots with cute dresses.
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karyn
can someone tell me what happens after we – Send our outfit pictures to fashionchallenge AT collegefashion DOT net! and include our name and where we go to school, as well as a description of what we’re wearing in the photo that we sent…???
Zephyr - CF Editor
Karyn – Once you send us your photos and info, we’ll update this post to include your look as well as the info you sent us so everyone can check out your outfit! Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Nina
Well, whether its fashion sense or season sense, it shouldnt have to matter! If you like boots, then wear them. Same goes to sandals and flip flops. Obviously, you can’t wear sandals all year round (you could try tho lol) but that doesnt mean you have to lock up the boots for the summer either. I say if you can put up with the heat, then you’re good to go. ^_^
lauran
I realy love this fashion challenge..i am in Botswana Africa and heish it was totally hard to rock the look without people thinking i am crazy..everyone keeps asking me if i am not burning?But after readint this article and seeing you can rock the look in summer i wore a mini with them and oh my the compliments and a few criticisms from girls but that cool …i was confident to strut my stuff ..but i dont know maybe someone advice me i have extremely long legs but i am short at the top so i think i am weird total height medium
KC
I guess it depends on where you live. I live in L.A. and I see girls wearing boots in the summer. It’s no big deal. As long as they don’t have fur on it or they aren’t Uggs. It gets cold at night here in the summer. We wear sandals in the winter. It’s been 80 degrees here in the day and it’s January. Whatever floats your boat I guess. I wear boots in the summer if I’m wearing jeans and going out at night.
kr
I love the idea of boots in summer……sandals are sooooo common and there is air conditioning everywhere you go….boots look great with shorts or a sundress…..most people only THINK their feet look great in sandals….haha
Amanda
Wow! I never really knew wearing boots in the summer was an ‘in’ thing. I will have to try it soon, before summer ends!!! :S
Style IT
I’m an “ALL 4-SEASON BOOTS GIRL”…Ale Mon Boots are my favourite..comfortable, easywearing, full leather… lots & lots of colours.
Sam
Absolutely!! I love this look :)