iCandy
Only rarely do the shoes you see on the runway make it into stores (and judging from Prada's toppling heels this spring, we should be grateful). That said, one trend that has made the transition from catwalk to high street are lace-ups boots.
Lace-up boots have a vintage-inspired, Victorian look to them, making them easy to pair with feminine and masculine styles. Beat-up styles look cool with jeans and a loose top while high-heeled versions by brands such as Ann Demeulemeester can be worn into the evening. Styles such as Alexander Wang's pointed toe, mid-calf version will also work in the office paired with a fitted tailored blazer and skinny trousers.
For a streetwear inspired ensemble, take a look at Cat (far right) who is wearing black skinny leg jeans tucked into her knee-high lace-up boots. She has layered a cotton bib front top, tank top and a cool Y3 tracksuit jacket. The soft leather boots make the outfit look polished, especially when worn with a darker wash pair of jeans. She says these boots have lasted her several seasons, which is a true test for any fashion item.
In contrast, Anna (near right) has experimented with even more layers, throwing on a cotton sweatshirt dress and a light-weight wool-cotton long scarf that contrasts nicely with the colour of her dress. She has picked a pair of battered brown lace-up boots with bronze buckles on top that remind me of riding boots. The boots alone make the outfit and are a statement piece in themselves.
Although knee-high lace-up boots have been seen everywhere, I also like other permutations such as patent leather lace-up wedges as seen at Dries Van Noten and Marni. Their structured design makes them stand out regardless of what you are wearing on top.
While most people like to match their knee-high lace-ups with a pair of tights, you can also experiment with knee-high socks and scrunch them down a bit to show more skin. Given the versatility of lace-ups, there's plenty of room to try different combinations - just make sure your outfit is simple and that you choose a pair in a neutral tone.
It's not hard to find a nice pair of lace-up boots. If you are willing to splurge, Ann Demeulemeester's signature lace ups come with a heel and an open toe for spring. For something more affordable, check out the local boutiques in Laforet (24-26 East Point Road, Causeway Bay) where I spotted many different styles, including a pair of burgundy open-toe lace-up boots. Also look for a brown, skater version at I.T (LG2-02, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, tel: 2265 7110). Mango's green patent leather lace-up boots have a military feel to them (Shop 118, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, tel: 2918 9313). If you're a traditionalist, you can't beat good old Doc Marten's (Pedder Red, Wellington Street, Central, tel: 2118 3712).
