Desert boots, combat boots, indy boots … there is no shortage of shoe styles.
Boots are a good way to progress , but tend to worry more than they should for those who have recently taken control of their style.
Through a selection of several looks, we will show you that an outfit with boots is constructed following the same principles as those you use every day (contrasts, recalls of materials, etc.), and that it is not not so difficult to tame them (regardless of the type of boots).
A pretty selvedge on a nice pair of boots offers a very masculine look, as you can see in this photo. The leg opening “matches” perfectly with the ankle of the shoe.
What are our criteria for choosing boots?
When choosing boots, the key is to focus on the materials:
- which bring relief to your outfits,
- which feature rich colors .
A boot is a piece with resolutely masculine DNA . As a result, models with earth tones (variation of brown shades) are often the easiest, not to mention that they save you from the endless questioning about the color of the pants you will wear with them.
Our famous boots with Ateliers Heschung .
How to wear boots?
These boots have two characteristics allowing them to easily fit into your looks:
- They come in shades of gray and brown,
- They present three materials in three different textures .
Once again, despite my fierce fight against the hem, the pro-hem gang on the team strikes again! As luck would have it, on the day of the shoot, they all wanted to show off their selvedge, and they had all forgotten the address of the retoucher...
Idea #1 – Wear boots with formal pieces
Wearing boots with a suit is not something we recommend, in the sense that the contrast in style would be too strong.
However, you can modulate the slider between elegance and casualness as Florian knows how to do so well: choose a relatively formal jacket and pants, as well as a sweatshirt, whose casual side will go well with the boots.
Frank & Oak blazer, BGBJ sweatshirt, Three Animals shirt, BonneGueule flannel pants, Pochette Square clutch. The clutch has nothing to do with the rest of the outfit, but remember, accessories are not meant to be a hassle!
Play with references to materials and colors to tie the whole thing together, like here: the gray tones of the outfit echo those of the shoes, in the same way that the material recalls the Arpin wool inserts.
Burgundy, the only color outside the gray/brown spectrum, brings warmth.
Ultimately, combining raw shoes with a blazer is a good way to play on the codes of the sartorial world.
Idea #2 – Wear boots with a blazer
A chambray shirt, raw jeans and boots: the whole thing works.
However, if you want to add sophistication to your outfit, adding a contrasting blazer with the pants is another alternative.
Ralph Lauren blazer, BonneGueule chambray shirt, Big John jeans, Vicomte A scarf.
Tom opted for a herringbone blazer, which was extremely textured. This reinforces the virile side of the boots, and allows you to create reminders of materials with the Arpin wool inserts.
Blue being a neutral color, it leaves room for a more original shade on the jacket.
A herringbone blazer (or other texture) has the advantage of adding relief, while contrasting with the smooth feel of the shirt.
Idea #3 – Wear boots with a parka
The BonneGueule x Ateliers Heschung boots are made to take on the urban jungle. Throw on a parka, and you'll be all set.
More seriously, going in the same direction as Long, wearing boots with a parka , constitutes an interesting alternative. This is especially the case if it shares certain characteristics with the materials you wear (you're starting to understand).
Bold Boys jeans, Zara shirt, Hédus denim jacket, Barbour parka.
The corduroy collar takes on the colors of the shoes, and its texture refers to that of the Arpin inserts. The parka is waxed, which adds diversity of textures.
This type of parka lends itself well to boots, because it echoes the “adventurer” side. Waxed cotton is an underestimated material, yet it is a pivot of British outerwear , and which goes well with imposing shoes. Long is ready to hunt with his greyhound.
Small detail: the denim jacket adds relaxation, where the patterned shirt - unfortunately not very visible in the photo - brings freshness by brightening up the whole.
Idea #3 bis – Wear boots with a parka
In a different style, our graphic designer Maxime also wears his boots with a parka, which he completes with a white sweatshirt and already well-faded blue jeans.
H&M sweatshirt and parka, Cheap Monday jeans.
I'm not a fan of light faded jeans, but they go well with the white and gray found on the shoes. Coupled with the semi-high boots, it also gives the impression of slender legs.
And as usual, several reminders of materials (between the hood and the shoes, for example), to unify the look.
Idea #4 – Wear boots with sweatpants
For many, sweatpants are the same as jogging pants. These famous pants that we wear to hang out on Sundays...
However, this type of piece is experiencing a form of revival, since certain small brands have made it their spearhead (I invite you to reread the test of Geoffrey's Duke & Dude sweatpants ).
It is also with anthracite sweatpants that Geoffrey wears his ankle boots, accompanied by a two-tone blue/gray blazer, and a gray sweatshirt.
Épice wool voile scarf, Marchand Drapier tri-material blazer, BonneGueule x Benjamin Jezequel sweatshirt, Duke & Dude pants.
We are on a more cutting-edge look, but which has its advantages. The sweatshirt and sweatpants are pieces with a sporty connotation. However, the goal is not to look like you just left the gym, hence the need to take care of the cuts and materials.
Thus, the pant leg fully reveals the boots. The honeycomb texture of the sweatshirt brings character to the garment, while the blazer once again enhances the whole look.
Aim to maintain some color consistency, but in case your look is too dull, casually wrapping a colorful scarf around your neck is a great idea.
Idea #5 – Wear boots with a sleeveless vest
Boots will often reflect workwear influences. Assembling them with this type of part is therefore obvious.
New arrival at BonneGueule, Lionel aka “Le Manuel” is crazy about workwear. Also a fan of Carhartt, he chose to pair his shoes with a sleeveless vest from the brand.
Carhartt vest, OAMC jacket, Carhartt hat, Bellfield shirt, APC x Carhartt jeans.
We are facing a good example of straight jeans worn on a strong silhouette. The layered vest and shirt complement the brown tones present on the shoes, in order to create a monochrome in earthy shades, which are the most versatile on boots.
In terms of accessories, a hat is always appropriate in a predominantly workwear look.
I don't particularly find added value in the black jacket (remember, how to wear black is a more complicated question than it seems), but this one doesn't bother me: the layering prevents it from 'being too present.
Idea #5bis - Wear boots with a sleeveless vest
Rémi also wears a sleeveless vest with his boots, but he completes it with gray/beige chinos, with a shirt with a slight camo effect, tucked into the pants (for a more subtle look).
Uniqlo pants and shirt, Cadot sleeveless vest . A quick aside on the Cadot sleeveless vest: it's a great piece of clothing, which I can't live without (I'm preparing a test).
The gray wool sleeveless vest creates a direct reminder with the boots, both in terms of color and material.
The shirt and its patterns are softened by the framing of shades of gray, and the chinos fit in with the boots.
Note: the color reminders can therefore be done in small touches, no need to be a fan of color blocking!
Rémi wears a brown belt in natural leather, which echoes the overall tones of the outfit.
Idea #6 – Wear boots with a chunky knit
Most of the time, chunky knit rhymes with cardigan, and we imagine a rather classic piece.
I'm offering you something different, by choosing to pair my boots with an original knit from Marchand Drapier, in the shape of a blazer.
I couldn't see myself wearing this kind of piece at all because basically I'm not particularly attracted by the raw and imposing side of a chunky virgin wool knit, but with this cold setting in, it's a piece that I am delighted to have on hand.
Be careful, if the shoulder is cut perfectly, it is a piece that does not seek to refine your silhouette, but to add a certain build .
Don't go to this type of piece thinking "it'll give me a V-shaped build". But for those who love big, warm materials, go for it!
Finally, I was able to try the very first Benjamin Jezequel tencel shirt, the cut is great, and the texture really interesting. There are lots of possibilities, it's the perfect mix between dressy and casual shirt. To put next to your chambray shirt in your wardrobe for versatility.
Chunky knit Marchand Drapier, Benjamin Jezequel tencel shirt (a kind of cotton created from recycled wood), Bold Boys jeans.
The look revolves around blue, and the cream of the shirt is neutral. As a result, the boots are immediately highlighted, thanks to the grey/brown vs blue contrast.
Furthermore, the contrast of materials between the blazer with a very "raw" character, compared to the much smoother shirt, echoes the variations in textures found on the boots: rough appearance thanks to the wool, as opposed to a softer touch with leather.
The importance of contrasts is not necessarily visible at first glance, it is not particularly what jumps out at first glance. However, filigree contrasts will make your looks more coherent , and will further emphasize certain pieces.
Idea #7 – Wear boots with a jacket
Because there are days when all we want is to be comfortable and comfortable, we couldn't finish this article without the corner of casual looks and without hassle.
Alexandre, an eternal fan of comfort, chose to combine his boots with chinos and a jacket with a wool collar.
Uniqlo chinos and APC jacket. Simple pieces, but in beautiful materials and colors, can be enough to create an effective look.
The khaki green of the chinos nicely complements the colors of the boots; we once again find a monochrome shades of earth, but approached differently. Navy blue being the "all-purpose" color par excellence, the jacket can be worn very logically without causing any problem. It also has the advantage, via its collar, of referring to the Arpin wool of the boots.
