To Boot-in or Not Boot-in

As I often discuss, there are a lot of trends out there with a lot of good-looking people promoting them; however, we know that there are just some things that will never work on us, will never look good on us, and should never touch our bodies or even come near out 25m periphery. Now, besides the spangle jumpsuit and the feathered fedora, a rather subtle perpetrator of style cataclysms is the infamous and notorious “boot-in.” Now, what is the “boot-in?” This overvalued look is one in which men tuck their jeans or pants into their boots, thereby producing somewhat of an equestrian look (or a nouveau riche hipster get up at the appropriate bloc party.) Alright, I understand that this sounds and looks kind of cool, and we are tempted once in a full moon to just go crazy and tuck that shit in. Why not? Johnny Depp does it.

 courtesy of jjwphotos2 

Well, good gentlemen, believe it or not, shoving your jeans into your boots has a much more detrimental effect on your overall look than you can imagine. The only way it could work as splendidly as we so  often hope is if you have REALLY long legs and a considerably proportioned body, the boots are a perfect height (ankle, calve, knee, depending on your build) and your clothes in corresponding looseness to the said boots. Look at that list. Gross. Just thinking about all those specifications makes me want to plop down on the couch in my underwear with Cheetos. However, if you do NOT fulfill at least 80% of those criterions, you risk making your legs look extremely stumpy and short, your torso look incommensurate with the rest of your body (in the sense that your chest may look the same length as your legs), and overall, make you look at least 5lbs heavier. Still, perhaps the most thwarting aspect of the “boot-in” is that it ultimately makes you look like your trying way too hard. When it comes to men’s fashion, I really do believe that the simplistic approach is the best: t-shirts, canvas tennis, jeans, flannel, etc. On special occasions you can bust out the three-piece or the leather loafers, but overall there really is no need to push so much. You’re a man; you don't wear bangle earrings and nail deco for a reason. The “boot-in” can be an overbearing detail that can either add a simple touch to an equally simple outfit or make people chuckle at you in a pitying manner. I’m not saying NEVER do it, I’m just suggesting that you shouldn’t necessarily strive for it. Simple, simple, simple: I can’t stress it enough. Do not forsake a substantially quality outfit by the subtle, yet deadly activity of taking your pants and slipping them into your elongated footwear!

This post was written for our Co-Creation Blog by Youmi Park, Blank Label's crazy vixen Fashion Muse. If all this talk about boots makes you want to buy a new pair, well, frankly, we can't help you there, but please do go ahead and design custom dress shirts online.