Last week I spoke with a London-based fashion merchandiser, and she mentioned that Londoners are not wearing boots this autumn. We talked about how the fashion industry had changed after COVID-19, and she said that many Londoners swapped seasonal boots for seasonless sneakers. Immediately, I thought about what footwear high-street fashion brands are selling and what footwear is popular on social media, and I agreed that no one is talking about, selling, or wearing boots. After COVID-19, consumers valued comfort over fashion and became more conscious about what they were spending their money on. Sneakers became very popular because they are comfortable and you can invest in one pair and wear them with everything. This autumn, the UK is experiencing a cost-of-living crisis and consumers are questioning whether they really want to purchase a pair of autumn boots or keep wearing their trendy sneakers.
The ‘no-boots-this-autumn’ trend is not only due to the cost-of-living crisis. I believe the weather, fashion trends, and social media have exacerbated this footwear decision. Firstly, the weather has felt so warm this autumn. It has not necessarily been shorts and t-shirt weather in November in London, but I know that Boston has been unseasonably warm. Perhaps this warm autumn weather has deterred Londoners from wearing tall boots. However, despite it being a warm autumn, consumers are loving UGG shoes. UGG has surprisingly made a comeback in recent years, and once again is popular this autumn. The most popular UGG shoes are the ultra mini boots (platform and non-platform) and the Tasman (platform and non-platform). Wearing UGGs is like having mini heaters attached to your feet. UGGs and warm weather don’t really go together but UGGs are definitely one of the top shoes of the season on social media and in London.
Shop here: Ultra Mini Boot £135, Classic Ultra Mini Platform Boot £145, Tazz Slipper £100, Tasman Slipper £95
Another shoe that has become very popular on social media is the Ballet flat. Ballet flats may be popular online; however, they are not practical city shoes especially in a city as wet as London. I have not seen any Londoners wearing ballet flats, but I do see Londoners wearing loafers which could be the city’s cousin to the ballet flat. Loafers protect your feet from the city ground and can be styled casually, worn to work, or dressed up for a party. Investing in a comfortable pair of loafers is a great alternative to wearing sneakers.
Shop here: Ganni Embellished Leather Mary Janes £275, ATP Atelier Brown Pescara Flatforms £410, Vince Robin Leather Loafers £310, Carvela Lock Chain-Embellished Leather Loafers £149
After speaking with the fashion merchandiser, I paid attention to what shoes Londoners are actually wearing. I spent my Saturday in Chelsea, which is a wealthy part of London that has many trendy shops and stylish women. I could count the number of women wearing tall boots on one hand. The women I did see wearing boots looked like they were in their upper 30s and the boots made their outfits look dated. The tube is another great place to study what shoes Londoners are wearing. I see Londoners wearing sneakers, loafers, and mini Uggs way more than I see them wearing boots. Will women start wearing boots as the chilly winter approaches, or are boots officially out for the year?
Happy Autumn! XO, Alicia
