Reader Question:
Ladies,
Last fall I fell under the spell of one of your posts and ordered myself a (second...ahem!) pair of Frye boots - these boots, as a matter of fact. I love them. But I didn't and don't know how to wear them. In order to justify the percentage of my nearly non-existent clothing budget that they took, I need to wear them every day of winter and fall for the next approximately twenty-five years. I am plumpish and 5'4. I like to wear dresses and tights and leggings, and find that they look good with the shorter lengths. But I need more outfits! How do I wear them with different styles of jeans? How do I not look too masculine/punk in them? How do I make them look like the everyday shoe I need them to be for me?
Help? Thanks!
Axon
P.S. Love you guys!
Answer:
Axon, I feel you Mama. Boots like these really stand up to the babies in all weather, all kid-gunk situations, and they truly are classics. But you're right, the vibe can be kind of tough, and a bit masculine, or too punk if you don't think out your styling before hand.
An easy way to counter the masculine edge of these boots is with feminine prints, colors and fabrics and pretty, prim accessories. And by the same merit, moto boots are a great counterpoint to what can be a kind of sacharine girly-ness associated with whimsical prints like polk-dots, animal patterns, lace and fuzy sweaters. I steered clear of florals because I feel like they can look a little "country" with engineer boots and stuck with prints and fabrics that will give you a cleaner look.
Prim
Moto Boot
A cozy
cardigan in a bright, feminine color over a whimsical pussy bow top softens the
edge of moto boots. Wear with a relaxed fit boyfriend or straight leg
jean rolled just to the top of the boot and pretty, feminine accessories.
Add a driver cap if you don't mind going a little Natty Gann. Grab a
nice, colorful coordinating sock to pull all the way up under your jeans, as
they will likely show when you're walking around or cross your legs.
Moto
Boots With Dots
I am
loving the polka-dots we're seeing everywhere this season, especially J.Crew's Collection cashmere polka-dot sweater,
but at a crazy-steep $270, I'd much rather see a mama in the Gap Clu polka dot
tee shown here if it comes back in stock (it may > I ordered it in both
colors in two different sizes, as I'm sure lots of people did. . . ), or the J.Crew Factory scattered dot cardi, or Forever 21's boxy polka dot top for the same
effect at a fraction of the cost. Pair with skinny jeans casually tucked
into the boots, or with a crisp cuff.
Pretty
Moto Boots
Lace
and moto boots? Of course. Wear lace tees casually, as you would
any t-shirt, over skinnies in a soft, feminine color, or with destroyed
boyfriend jeans to counter the girly-ness. Add an anorak in an
unexpectedly silky and soft texture to keep the play between masculine and
feminine balanced. Again, with a skinny pant, scrunch the ankles casually
into the top of the boot or give the hem one nice, neat cuff and wear with a pair
of nice, coordinating socks.
Well, what do you think, Mamas? Do these moto boots still look too tough, masculine or punk? Thank you for writing in and for your kind words, Axon. Hope this helps your boot/jean styling dilemma.
- M.
