07/12/2025
Tall Boots in the Men's Wardrobe
Tall boots were originally horseback riding footwear, worn by nomads and cowboys alike. The high shaft protected feet from mud and snakes, and the pointed toes made it easy to slip into stirrups. Over time, the comfort of boots was appreciated by princes, military personnel, and, gradually, all social classes. Until the mid-20th century, boots were very common footwear for both men and women in most European countries and the USSR. However, later, boots remained a predominantly female item of clothing. This trend was furthered by Soviet fashion designer Vera Aralova. To make it easier for models on the catwalk to put on and take off tall boots, she came up with the idea of adding a zipper to boot shafts. This invention, introduced in 1959, gave boots a new lease of popularity.
Men, however, were left with traditional boots without zippers, which continued to be worn primarily by the military and industrial workers. For them, boots were a uniform and comfortable safety footwear. For women, they're a prized fashion statement. It's become common for bold designers to blend men's and women's clothing. For example, military-style men's coats and trousers suddenly became part of the women's wardrobe. And comfortable boots for everyday wear are about to make a comeback for men.
Leather and rubber, suede and fur-lined, tarpaulin, tailored according to strict standards for various branches of the military and industry, pointed and round-toed, with or without zippers, with straps and patches, narrow and wide – the variety of boots today is difficult to describe. As are the styles they create.
Boots appeared in my wardrobe around 2007. They were more like tall, zipped boots. I was immediately hooked by the pleasant sensation of wearing them, the feeling of the boot shaft pulling my foot tight, and then there were the looks and comments from friends. I don't even know which comments were more numerous: about the leather pants or the tall boots?!
Boots and leather pants are a separate, big topic. Two striking elements converge here: boots on a man and leather pants. Everyone is free to choose their own style, but everyone agrees that tall leather boots tucked into leather pants are a very distinctive look! They add a sheen to the leather legs and, still a rare type of everyday footwear for men, a look that's rarely seen. Some men don't tuck their leather pants into their boots, and their look immediately changes. Tucked pants into boots, on the other hand, are a deliberate display of tall boots, a search for individuality and style. Both men and women wear boots to emphasize the length and beauty of their legs, drawing attention to them.
I tried several pairs of boots in search of the most comfortable style. I tried pointed cowboy boots, even tarpaulin work boots, and brown boots. The cowboy boots turned out to be very uncomfortable: the pointed toe is hard on the toes, and the heel isn't very comfortable for long walks, as are any heeled shoes. Tarpaulin boots are certainly a strong piece, but they're not leather, and they're a bit rough around the edges. And brown boots simply don't work. I needed a brown coat or trousers to go with them. Ultimately, I settled on officer's leather boots and fashionable black leather zip-up boots, styled like tall boots.
