Everybody’s Wearing Chunky Boots
Whether they’re toughening up dresses or updating your utilitarian aesthetic, this season’s edit of chunky-soled boots will give your wardrobe extra attitude
Few sartorial pieces can be considered closet staples as well as statement items, yet chunky boots are the exception to the rule right now. Over the past few seasons, stacked heels and lug-soled styles have come to dominate the collections. Combining practicality with directional design, these high-impact boots provide the perfect finishing touch to any outfit, elevating blue jeans and oversized tailoring or toughening up elegant midi dresses.
This season, luxury labels across the board have put their own spin on this enduring essential. Bottega Veneta has leaned into the combat boot’s utilitarian overtones, opting for smooth leather and pumped-up proportions. This ultra-chunky style is ultra-versatile but looks particularly good with raw-hem jeans and a classic trench coat. Elsewhere, Loewe’s remastered Chelsea boots pair perfectly with this season’s most coveted cargo pants.
How to care for leather footwear
Here’s how to cherish your pieces for longer, according to Layla Sargent, founder & CEO of repair-and-alterations service The Seam:
“Leather is essentially a skin, and so its porous nature must be treated carefully to avoid distorting the texture or cracking the finish. Choose natural leather conditioners and apply with a damp cloth or sponge. After cleaning the surface, it’s important to add a leather moisturizer or balm to prevent cracking, as the item can dry out.
“Synthetic leathers behave very differently from genuine ones, as they are typically made from plastics or more innovative plant fibers, and sealed with a coating to give them a leather-like surface. These synthetic coatings lack the self-healing properties of true leather, so it’s important to take extra care in avoiding scuffs and snags. Don’t wear sharp jewelry around synthetic-leather footwear, and take care to store away from jagged zippers or sharp corners. If synthetic-leather items show signs of dirt, attempt to wipe it away with a damp cloth, and turn to a specialist when in doubt.”
Find out how to extend the life of your clothes with our Repair & Rewear service, powered by The Seam
RELATED READING
The people featured in this story are not associated with NET-A-PORTER and do not endorse it or the products shown