SUVs for the feet

If you buy just one thing this fall, make it a pair of boots. Not only are boots the new essential accessory, this season’s bring many styles that are comfortable and empowering — this has been accomplished by finally eschewing the cramped pointy toe in favour of new shapes and a variety of chunky stacked heels. Whichever style you choose, you’ll find yourself wearing them with everything.

Here are the top trends to watch for. Mod That’s the buzzword, particularly for men’s boots. Which means variations on the Carnaby Street Beatleboot, reaching just above the ankle with a side elastic panel. Take Britpop fashion designer Ted Baker’s collection of footwear for men (it’s finally available in Canada). He offers a scuffed version in white leather with perforated brogue detail. Similarly, John Varvatos, working for Converse, resurrects the company’s heritage Bosey camp boot, a vintage lace boot dubbed the “SUV for the feet,” in utilitarian black. Most are suitable to wear with jeans as well as business suits. Western Rhinestone cowboys and cowgirls will sparkle wearing some of the new Swarovskiembellished western boots. Their grittier counterparts will hanker after harnesses, straps and belts wound around the ankle or leg.

At western stalwart Bootmaster, just five minutes from Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood, Nick and Helen Poulos have been fitting boots for 20 years. “ The biggest misconception about cowboy boots,” says Helen, “is that they are narrow and restrictive. They’re neither.” In fact, the low-stacked leather heels act as shock absorbers, leather around the toe box takes on the shape of the foot and many of the new heels are straight or rounded and higher, to look less like you just came in from cattle-ranching. Bootmaster also carries Fryes in embossed stitched versions and limited-edition colours such as berry, blue, white and moss green. Frye’s Engineer boot, a classic round-toe biker (think Marlon Brando in The Wild Bunch) has roomier construction that accommodates wider calves and feet.

The shop has a wall of colourful Old Gringo-brand cowboy styles (the hottest L.A. brand), with elaborately detailed cowboy boots that look like they cost at least $900. Because they’re handmade in Mexico, they generally cost half that. Slouchy retro There’s a return to less-fitted pull-on boots that are more forgiving for those with larger calves. Many are ’80sinspired, à la Linda Rondstadt, with kiltie details such as tassels or buckles, and a rounded toe. They’re meant to be worn with skirts rather than under trousers. Taller versions are worn over tapered and pegged tucked-in jeans. Other interpretations, such as Diesel’s knee- high version, hark back to the ’70s, with an exaggerated egg-shaped toe, like something worn by Mary Richards and Rhoda Morgenstern. Unexpected colour

Here we find Fluevog’s sleeker urban take on the classic western boot, in aqua or red. Or current footwear darling Chie Mihara’s emerald green suede ruched ankle boot. Solid leathers in turquoise, teal, orange, burnt red, silver and magenta are flying off the shelves. From Cole Haan, there are multicoloured tapestry granny boots with fur lining that almost reach the knees ($ 900).

The beauty of coloured boots is, of course, that since they don’t really match anything, they go with everything.