Urban Battlefield - Combat Inspired Footwear With an Urban Twist

With the city heating up, and the slow (and wet) progression into the summer months now upon us, one of my favorite recent trends of the season is making it's mark on the fashion battleground, that being combat inspired boots with shorts. This trend has been seen pacing the catwalks of Givenchy, Rick Owens, Damir Doma, Kris Van Assche, Balmain, Maison Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, and Dior Homme, yet remains fresh and current due to the creative interpretations offered by each design house. Whether offered in military form (Balmain), refined and urban form (Demeulemeester), avant garde form (Doma), or classic chic with a twist (Givenchy), these boots can be dressed up or down, and paired with everything from a pair of Lanvin shorts, Oak jersey cutoffs, black skinny jeans, or even one of Tisci's kilts, a la Marc Jacobs. I have included some of my favorites, yet with so many to new options introduced this past season as well as being introduced in the upcoming seasons, it will truly be a battle to pick just one (or three).

Left to Right

Ann Demeulemeester $816.00 - Givenchy $442.00 - Damir Doma $860.00 - Balmain $1290.00 - Maison Martin Margiela $601.00

-Stephen Fisher-

All shoes featured can be found at www.LUISAVIAROMA.com

(Limited sizes available)

Moto à la Mode

Italian hand-stitched leather, diamond quilting, subtle sculpting, and a stacked heel. These are not style terms usually associated with mainstream motorcycle accessories, yet Ralph Lauren has managed to do so with the creation of the Caruthers motorcycle boot. The designer best known for his classic and refined lifestyle and clothing empire has now taken it one step further, and created a boot that is equally at home on the open road as well as the city street. With equestrian inspired details such as a sculpted calf, stacked leather heel, hand-finished buckle details, and quilted shin plates, the boot calls to mind the traditional leather shinguards worn by polo players, yet melds these visual and functional qualities into a product geared toward a rider of a different type with the addition of a reinforced leather plate to resist the abrasion of countless stylish upshifts. Priced at $1200, and embodying the refined and rugged spirit of the Ralph Lauren brand, these boots are sure to garner attention both on the road as well as off, and remain a versatile and stylish staple for years to come.

-Stephen Fisher-