80s fashion is back on the catwalks. Remember the shoulder pads, huge hair, glitz and glamour? Hopefully, we won’t all be power dressing to the extent of Joan Collins in Dynasty but one 80s item that is being worn by all fashionistas everywhere is the slouch boot.
Today’s slouch boots have grown up a little and there are a lot of sophisticated and gorgeous styles to buy. If you want an authentic 80s look then you can even buy vintage slouch boots but I prefer something that hasn’t been sitting in the bottom of someone else’s wardrobe for the past 25 years!
The idea of slouch boots is that they do just that…slouch. There are many different degrees of slouchy-ness from the rock chick style thigh-high suede slouch boots that slide down to half-way down the calves, to the just slightly slouchy leather boots that are a pleasure to pull on over your jeans.
Many of the celebrities who are photographed on a daily basis now wearing their new designer slouch boots, were not even born when everyone was wearing them in the 80s.
The slouch boots worn in the 1980s tended to be shorter, around mid calf length and often had very pointed toes and little kitten heels, pixie boot style. A search through the auctions for vintage slouch boots on eBay will not produce many above the knee or longer boots. Now designers are taking the slouch to extreme lengths, with a huge variety of styles, colors and shapes. The multi-buckled and strapped slouch boots popular today are more reminiscent of the punk era of the late 70s early 80s.
There does not seem to have been the same resurgence of men’s slouch boots which were worn by some new romantics bands in the 80s, with baggy harem style pants tucked in and flowing lacy shirts. There are few men now who would be happy to dress like that, unless it was for a costume party.
Some designers do not call their new designs slouch boots even though that is undoubtedly what they are. Take Kurt Geiger. His Valentina boot definitely looks like a slouch to me and his black velvet knee highs with tassel, look as if they would slouch when worn even if they don’t in the photos. In fact, there could be even more slouch boots around today than we think!
If your budget won’t stretch as far as a new pair of designer slouch boots, why not try faking it? Put on a favorite pair of shoes and a matching pair of leg warmers, slouch them down a bit then find two narrow belts, wind them around your legs over the leg warmers and buckle up. Instant slouch boots.
