Leather boots
No fashionista can imagine her wardrobe without stylish leather shoes. Demi-season and winter leather shoes have long and for a long time become a favorite of all kinds of options. The skin looks impressive, it is worn for a long time, it is easily combined with any things, and also unpretentious in care.
Leather boots are considered one of the most versatile types of footwear. Modern fashion has brought variety to models and colors. These shoes are truly comfortable and comfortable.
Models
The largest variety of models are women's leather boots. The latest fashion trends have made this type of footwear the hottest squeak of the past and this year.
Among the models, there are both classic oxfords and brogues with low and wide heels, as well as heels of various shapes and heights, with lacing and all kinds of fasteners, as well as with a shiny and glossy surface, matte and patent leather, perforation and with a patina effect.
Platform boots with stiletto heels, wedges, sports style in the form of wedge sneakers, platform sneakers are invariably popular.
Noteworthy are leather lace-up shoes for women - high, medium and low. Such models in the style of "military", "punk" are preferred by young and independent persons.
Zippers, Velcro, strap and even snap fasteners are also used as fasteners.
Popular among young and stylish girls are models of short leather boots on a high platform with a wide and massive heel. At the same time, the platform can be deliberately rough, embossed in combination with a laconic top.
Models without a heel or on a comfortable low, on a tractor sole, short or high - any woman will find a model to her taste and in accordance with her lifestyle.
Leather boots are an invariable attribute of a business man, or a man who prefers a comfortable and informal style. These can be classic models, or comfortable "Timberlands".
Children's leather boots are irreplaceable footwear for all ages. They are comfortable, durable and hygienic.
By season
A wide variety of leather boots are presented according to seasonal criteria: winter, summer, demi-season, with and without various insulation.
In winter, women's leather boots with low heels in a classic cut will be an excellent option for everyday wear in the office, or platform boots with a stable heel of medium height. For recreation and active sports, "Timberlands" are ideal, or high boots with lacing with wide heels, boots without heels.
Various types of insulation are used in winter leather boots: sheepskin, natural wool, artificial fur, thinsulate, combined fur, bike, Euro-fur, membrane.
In some models, two types of insulation can be combined, combined fur is very popular - the main part under the foot is made of natural fur, and the top of the bootleg is made of artificial.
Also popular is thinsulate insulation - an artificial material that can warm in extreme cold. The most popular is natural sheepskin and its varieties - felt, woolen fur, muton.
Demi-season leather shoes are distinguished by the widest variety of models and color options, decorative elements.
A bike, artificial fur, synthetic insulation of small thickness are used as insulation for the cool off-season. Most of the demi-season leather boots are presented without lining, with leather or artificial leather trimmed inside.
Varieties of skin
Leather boots are made from various types of natural and artificial leather.
Genuine leather is the most traditional material for leather boots. There are different types of natural shoe leather:
- by type of raw material;
- by the method of finishing, coloring, grades;
- by the method of tanning.
By types of raw materials, there are many varieties of natural leather. Basically, all shoe leather is made from cattle skins (cattle), sheep and goat skins and horse skins. Each raw material has its own methods of processing leather and its own name: cattle - calves, goby, cowhide, outgrowth, buffalo, bull, etc., goat and sheep skins - shagreen, chevret, morocco, etc., horse hide - foal, young foal.
They are distinguished by the way of finishing:
- smooth skin;
- lacquered (lacquered);
There is also a significant division according to the tanning method:
- morocco;
- shagreen;
- like;
- suede leather;
- velours;
- nubuck;
- split velor.
There are leather boots made of natural crocodile, snake skin and kangaroo skins. These types of leather are difficult and expensive to process, which has a price tag and have become quite exotic materials for making footwear.
In some countries, you can find footwear made from the skin of birds, lizards, sea animals, fish, elk, deer and others.
There are also many varieties of artificial leather. The main difference is the method of covering and the type of base: synthetic and artificial leather.
The main types of artificial leather:
- vinyl leather,
- faux suede,
- shargolin;
- elastoskin,
- nap.
Varieties of synthetic leather are also called eco-leather due to the use of a fabric base and polyurethane coating, which is an environmentally friendly material. Artificial leather uses PVC in its composition.
Types of synthetic leather (eco leather):
- "Velours",
- SK-8,
- Polokofarm,
- Cordley,
- Porvair,
- Patora,
- Xile and others.
The advantages of natural leather are its hygiene, practicality of care, durability, plasticity.
Artificial leather is still a substitute for natural, and its main advantage is its affordability. In general, artificial leather is significantly inferior to natural leather in terms of hygiene and wear resistance.
Modern production has achieved great success in the manufacture of substitutes for natural leather, and every year artificial leather becomes a worthy competitor in the use of footwear.
Popular colors
The color variety of leather boots is presented in all possible colors and shades.
Black, all shades of brown, white, beige, burgundy, dark blue, gray, red are still relevant.
A combination of colors is in fashion - brown and beige, black and white, light and dark shades of the same color.
Leather boots can be of any color, but in everyday life, preference is given to universal colors that can be easily combined with any clothing and accessories.
For outdoor activities and sports, shoes of bright colors are chosen: blue, blue, red, yellow, as well as combined sports combinations: white-red, black-red, black-blue, etc.
Fashion trends
Leather boots have always been and remain in trend. They have become especially relevant in recent fashionable seasons.
For a relaxed, casual, urban, informal look, designers offer various options for leather boots in the form of oxfords and brogues for summer and autumn, models without a heel of medium height with lace-ups or zippers in military style or sporty chic.
In this case, it is recommended to combine shoes with a clear "masculine character" with very feminine details of the wardrobe.
For urban fashionistas, there are options for leather boots on a platform of different heights, with a wide stable heel or on a stiletto heel. Such shoes will visually increase the height and give the image a feminine and slim silhouette.
For active and business women, comfortable leather boots with wedges or low wide heels are ideal.
Tractor-soled boots look unusually fashionable- platform or platform with a wide massive heel. Such deliberate coarseness of the sole, combined with the strict upper of the boot, can emphasize the fragility and femininity of any girl.
Winter boots with fur trim are also in fashion. sheepskin, rabbit. Laces or zippers can be invisible and match the color of the shoes, or in a contrasting color.
A special place is occupied by patent leather boots in various variations - high, short, platform, stiletto heels, low heels, oxfords, brogues, sneakers.
For elegant ladies, stylists offer suede boots. Such shoes are emphasized by a sophisticated and elegant cut, a cross between boots and shoes.
Useful Tips
- It should be borne in mind that comfortable shoes without a heel or with low wide heels do not visually stretch the growth. And when choosing a wardrobe for such boots, you should pay attention to things that will make your figure slimmer: tapered trousers, pipe trousers, shorts, jeggings, mini skirts, short dresses. It is advisable to choose pants so long as to open the ankle.
- Winter leather boots with fur trim are best combined with clothing or an accessory with the same fur trim: a hood on a jacket, a bag with fur, a vest, a scarf, etc. It must also be remembered that boots with fur visually look heavier than ordinary ones, and in accordance with this, it is necessary to carefully select things for them.
- Patent shoes do not tolerate competition in gloss in other things. To make the look harmonious, it is better if your bow does not have shiny and sparkling things in combination with patent leather boots.
- Deliberately "men's" leather boots or boots with rough "tractor" soles are combined with very feminine things: lace, flying light fabric. Those. it can be short skirts, a lace blouse, an elegant flying dress. In this way, there should be only one "male" detail - in our case, leather boots.
How to choose?
The main problem in choosing leather boots is to determine the material from which they are made. Despite the information on the price tag, it is worth knowing how to distinguish genuine leather from artificial one yourself, to assess the quality of tailoring, fastening, and features of the model.
Many people prefer boots made of genuine leather, as it "breathes", dries quickly, retains its shape, is durable and practical to care for. At a cost, products made of genuine leather are more expensive than artificial leather.
To distinguish genuine leather from artificial leather in a store, the following actions will help:
- Flex the skin or squeeze. Natural leather will immediately take its original shape without creases and deep folds.
- Press your palm against the skin of the boot. Natural leather gradually takes away the warmth of the hand and begins to give it away. The artificial leather is slightly cool and does not heat up.
- Look at the skin sections. Artificial leather is immediately distinguishable by its basis - textiles or polyamide, which look multi-layered. Natural leather is thicker and more solid.
- If possible, put a drop of water on the boot. Natural leather will immediately absorb moisture and darken. Artificial leather does not absorb moisture.
When choosing leather boots, you also need to inspect all the details, examine the inside. It is recommended to try on both shoes at once, walk a little to determine if the last, the height of the instep, the size and the model itself are suitable for your foot.
You also need to check all the fasteners, if any, laces, loops. Decor details must be firmly attached. The sole is free from cracks and defects.
How to care?
Any footwear needs maintenance. To do this, you can use ready-made shoe "cosmetics", widely presented on the shelves of shoe stores: sprays, shampoos, foams, creams, lotions and special brushes, sponges, etc.
It is important to remember some general points:
- Genuine leather shoes should be cleaned and wiped off after each outing;
- It is advisable to dry the shoes in a natural way, in order to avoid deformation and shrinkage;
- Stains on natural leather can be removed with soapy water mixed with ammonia. It is enough to wipe the artificial leather with a damp cloth.
- When cleaning shoes made of any material, it is important not to wet them too much.
- In order to stretch genuine leather boots, it is recommended to wear thick socks, slightly damp, and walk around in them for a while. Then stuff the boots with newspaper to absorb the moisture. It must be remembered that leather shoes only stretch in width and not in length. In some cases, if the length is too small, it is better to return the shoes and exchange them for the correct size.
- Also, for stretching shoes, special stretching lotions and special pads are used.
- Artificial leather is difficult to stretch, some types of artificial leather do not stretch at all.
- White shoes are treated with milk to preserve color and remove stains.
- Patent footwear requires careful maintenance. To add shine, you can wipe with petroleum jelly, special means for shine.
- Use special water-repellent creams for leather boots.
- Membrane shoes do not require special care and it is enough to wipe them with a damp cloth.
- Eco-leather boots can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Stubborn dirt and stains can be removed with a solution of water and laundry soap.