I Used to Think This Boots Trend Looked “Cheap” But Emily Ratajkowski Just Changed My Mind

Emily Ratajkowski stepped out to claim her front-row seat at New York Fashion Week’s Proenza Schouler show yesterday wearing an underrated and somewhat controversial shoe trend. Styling a black, pleated leather skirt and low-key sleeveless top, she diverted from a top-to-toe black look by instead selecting tall white boots.

I have to admit that I’ve always found white boots a little bit cheap-looking, and they’ve never quite been able to gain the same appreciation as their brown and black counterparts. Perhaps it’s their tendency to scuff or blemish, or maybe I’ve been put off by their over-saturation in the ’10s that saw lower-quality pairs dominate the streets. Now though, I’m pleased to see white boots enjoying a reinvention, and it’s all thanks to elegant outfit styling like Ratajkowski’s.

Making the case for the divisive shoe’s revival, Ratajkowski selected a pair of white boots with a slightly slouched silhouette. Injecting a pop of brightness into her monochrome ensemble, she clutched Proenza Schouler’s vivid red Park Leather Shoulder Bag (£1,355) and finished off the look with simple silver hoops. This, my friends, is a masterclass on how to look fashion-forward without adopting every trending aesthetic.