Manolo the Columnist: Heath Tall Riding Boot from Frye
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Express of the Washington Post.
0Dear Manolo,
I feel left out. I seem to be the only woman in DC who is not wearing a pair of skinny jeans under riding-style/flat boots this winter. I have taken your lessons to heart and am no longer interested in buying cheap shoes, but I don’t want to invest in a trend that will look dated in two years. How can I buy a pair of boots that will be on trend right now but also classic enough to wear for years? (non-black is probably best.)
Amber
Manolo says, to quickly answer this question: the riding boots have never been out of the style, and will never go out of the style. They are the fashion perennial, and every woman should have the pair in her closet.
Yes, today, the girls are wearing them with the skinny hipster jeans tucked into the tops. And the day before yesterday it was the jodhpurs and hacking jackets. And the day after tomorrow, it may be the tie-dyed bubble skirts and tube tops. Who can say, except that the riding boot will still be the useful and attractive part of the wardrobe.
As for the matter of trendiness, the Manolo reminds you that personal style is not dependent upon trendiness. Historically, the most stylish peoples are those who have forged the distinctive and attractive personal look, which may or may not accord with the fads of the moment. And so, the Manolo would tell you to seek out your own personal style and not worry overly much about what the hipster girls are wearing this season, or the next.
Here is the cognac-colored Heath Tall Riding Boot from Frye that is certain to become one of your favorites.
Comments
Dani 14 years ago
I have had the same pair of simple, black leather riding boots for over fifteen years. Like Amber, I do not wish to invest in a trend. I can honestly say these are among the most stylish items I have owned. Along with a certain pair of Bruno Magli flats, they are the only footwear I talk to, so I can tell them how much I love them.
Also, the choice of the Frye boots illustrates my comment from yesterday about getting footwear from a specialist. Frye is a bootmaker that makes riding boots for people who actually ride. I am certain these boots will easily last Amber fifteen years, and look superfantastic the whole time!
Cat 14 years ago
I have a very similar pair of brown riding boots that I have been wearing for at least the past eight years. The Manolo is correct — they will never go out of style. The fashions with which I’ve worn them have changed, but the boots remain the same.