Whether you want some boots that can handle… well anything you can throw at them, or just love the unique style of a great pair of leather combat boots, this article is for you. We’ll explain why combat boots are big now and give you six practical ideas for throwing together great outfits around them.
The combat shoes are back
After years in which the sneaker has been king, combat boots have made their comeback. As anyone in the punk scene can tell you, they’re ideal for an era emphasizing practicality and personality. You don’t have to worry about protecting them from the world as much as most shoes. It’s no wonder they’ve been an anti-establishment icon everywhere from 70s London to the 90s hip hop scene. But how did they mount their big comeback?
From the catwalk to the street style
Beginning in Fall 2019, we started seeing combat boots hitting the runway and by 2020 they were fully back in the mainstream. The shift has been attributed to sneaker fatigue or simply designers reconnecting with rebellious pasts. Either way, it didn’t take long for this trend to move from the runway to the streets.
Every season is combat boots season
It’s no surprise that a boot style originally developed to help soldiers combat every possible season and weather condition does the same job in civilian life. The same pair can go with a simple skirt in summer and with a heavy overcoat in winter. Because they work in outfits where they blend in as well as ones where they’re a point of strong contrast, you’ve got a lot of options for wearing them year round.
Six ideas on how to style your combat boots
Even if you don’t yet own a pair of combat boots, these six examples will show you why they belong in your wardrobe.
1. Spice up your mid-length skirt
Much like with chunky sneakers, the heavy sole of a combat boot both anchors and outfit and provides some powerful contrast when paired with the right outfit. A mid-length skirt works perfectly because it gives space for you to show off just enough leg to contrast with the boots. It’s also an opportunity to further play with contrast by wearing a more feminine skirt alongside ostensibly masculine boots.
2. Don’t hesitate to put your dress on
While showing some leg works well with combat boots, a longer dress is also a good option. Letting the thick soles of your combat boots peek out from under a dress turns a bold footwear choice into something more subtle. If you’re still working up to being comfortable with some of the more daring outfits on this list, a combat boots/dress combination is an excellent place to start.
3. Or a suit
If you can’t get enough of rule-breaking fashion, then this outfit is for you. Embracing one kind of “masculine” fashion by wearing a suit while simultaneously embracing another with combat boots makes for a head-turning combination. Just be sure to keep things simple here, you’re already going big with those two choices, so adding a lot of accessories or other elements will only make the outfit look less focused.
4. A big coat is always a good idea
Big coats work for exactly the same reasons mid-length skirts and longer dresses do. They can show just enough narrow leg to create contrast with the thicker boots while also giving the whole outfit an alluring kind of elegance. The choice of coat is also critical here. A more utilitarian coat can add to the soldier feel of the outfit while a more elegant or feminine one can create a cool contrast with some leather combat boots. So, consider which direction you want to go when putting this together. You can also find some inspiration here.
5. Denim is the classic
It’s been half a century since the emerging punk scene made the denim and combat boots combination absolutely iconic. Frankly, despite the decades that have passed, this look has never really lost its punch. Again, here you can go full punk with some ripped jeans and an old t-shirt or you can combine skinny jeans with a classier top for a blended look with just the right amount of edgy to it. However you want to do it, this outfit is a classic for a reason so it should always be an easy go-to.
6. Leather is the trends
Quality leather boots have been in big demand for a while now and that trend holds with combat boots as well. Patent leather, suede, and regular leather all feature prominently in combat boots because they each have their own twist on the style. So if you want combat boots with a softer side, try suede. If you want that classic and bold punk look from the 70s, patent leather always makes a statement. But if you’re looking for something that’s simply classic, leather combat boots are the way to go.
