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Forget trainers, biker boots are the shoe to see you through 2025
For a long time, it felt as though we’d all gone full-on trainers berserk. Sambas in a gazillion colourways, chunky Campuses and all those skinny slip-on trainers that are essentially ballet flats… rare was the trainer that did not enjoy It-status for at least a day. In recent months, however, there’s been a subtle vibe shift. I’m talking about biker boots, which have emerged as the unexpected shoe of the summer (again, they were all over Glastonbury last year too) and will crucially see you through autumn and winter as well.
Look around and you’ll spot biker boots all over the place. They’re a staple among both fashion girls and celebs, who are most often pairing them with white floaty boho skirts, minidresses or ’90s-style slips.
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All of these biker boots didn’t just randomly land on our feet. Miu Miu (it’s so often Miu Miu, isn’t it?) ushered in biker boots for autumn/winter 2022, with big, buckle-smothered grungey stompers paired with leather trousers and see-through lace slips, and then again with its autumn/winter 2024 collection, this time paired with midi-skirts and structural leather gloves. Elsewhere, we’ve seen biker boots on runways over the past few seasons at Alexander McQueen, Coach, Burberry and Versace. And let’s not forget the overarching influence of Charli xcx who – when she wasn’t wearing pointed knee-highs – basically spent her entire Brat tour in bulky, belt-laden boots and rara skirts.
When it comes to sourcing the best biker boots, you won’t always need to drop one million pounds and remortgage the house – although they do last for years, so investing than you usually would is often worth it. “Vintage and resale sites are rife with worn-in styles, but there are also plenty of new-season versions around if you’re looking to invest,” wrote Joy Montgomery last year. “A few key things to keep in mind when shopping for biker boots: check the height of the upper to work out where it’ll come up to on your leg and try different sizes before choosing a final pair – don’t hesitate to ask sellers on sites like eBay for more information on sizing.”
Matt Healy
While summer has seen biker boots paired with denim skirts and tiered minis, I’m actually looking forward to the colder months, when we can wear the shoes with slouchy grey jeans and vintage leather jackets. Come October, I’ll be styling mine like Ashley Spinelli from the ’90s cartoon Recess… minus the striped tights.
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