Advice on Mens Boots & Sizing

[rusty]

I'm in the process of building a wardrobe, with boots being the main thing missing at the moment. The aim is basically to go for 1-2boots that will look great with as many different outfits as possible

How do you guys feel about these two from ASOS?
ASOS | ASOS Lace-Up Work Boots at ASOS
and
River Island | River Island Military Boots at ASOS

I did check out H&M as well, whose danish available models are here
Herre | Sko | H&M DK
Most of these are imitated leather though, for almost the same price as the ASOS ones (if you divide the danish price with 8-9 you get it roughly in pounds).

Also does anyone have a link to a proper footwear/boots size guide? I've seen so many different ways of doing it when googling, that I'm unsure which one to trust.

Thanks in advance for any help

[Paul McGregor]

Go for a neutral coloured boot if you're looking for it to go with most of your outfits.

Did you read Ben's latest article on two key styles of boot for this season?

http://www.fashionbeans.com/2011/two...mnwinter-2011/

I'm a huge fan of both, especially the brogue boot. It's all on personal taste, and I used to be a huge fan of military boots... until most boy bands stylists became a huge fan also. But like I said with everything in fashion, it's all personal taste and the two boots you've chosen are decent!

As for sizing, i've never had a problem. I normally buy in-store, or if I buy online the return policies are so tight nowadays you can experiment with sizes. Maybe go for half a size up, and get yourself some chunky knit socks also!

Hope this helps!

[This Charming Man]

I have the ASOS boots in black which I bought about a year ago, but the whole boyband thing is putting me off wearing them this year. I dont want to get rid as I really like them, how do I wear them without me looking like I'm in JLS?

I was thinking, black or grey skinny jeans and lacing them right up so its more rock than cock?

[paul-b]

I agree with Paul here, a neutral colour will help to match as many outfits as possible. Black is the obvious choice, but depending on what colours you tend to wear, along with the colours of accessories you have, brown could be worthwhile as an all-rounder.

If you're going for two pairs of boots, unless you only go casual, I would keep one of them military / worker, then something else smarter such as brogue boots (again as Paul suggested in relation to Ben's article) will be great as a second pair.

Not sure what look you're going for specifically, Rusty, but if you're trying to avoid the "boy band" look, I would pick the ASOS pair, as the River Island ones you've linked hit me as "boy band" straight off. That's not a bad thing depending on what you're going for, though. As for fitting, the first pair of military boots I got happened to be from River Island, and I was surprised to find that a UK size 8 fitted me, as I'm usually a size 9 (on the odd occasion size 10) anywhere else (so far). I have since bought two sets of boots from River Island and they've both fitted well as a UK size 8 (one of the pairs is fabric too, rather than leather). Leather boots can tend to feel a little tight at first, loosening up a bit with wear in my experience, but at the same time there's a limit - too tight is too tight.


This Charming Man: Definitely, lacing them right up will help to avoid the "boy band" look - one of the things I've noticed is that they often fold the sides down, or at least pull the tongue out forwards. Of course, what else you're wearing is going to contribute too, but lacing them up and keeping the meeting point between shoe and trouser more fluid should make quite a difference.

[Paul McGregor]

Great additions and I have to agree lacing the boots up and making them look a bit more formal will defiantly reduce that un"wanted" boy band look!

[rusty]

Ok cheers guys, big help!

I'm probably going to go for the black version of the worker boot instead, and get a brogue one instead of the military

[Paul McGregor]

Sounds like a good idea @Rusty!

[This Charming Man]

Cheers fellas, now all I need now is this weather to worsen so I can get the boots out!


Bought some lovely autumn/winter gear, put all my summer stuff in the attic and then bam, its like summer again!!

[paul-b]

Cheers fellas, now all I need now is this weather to worsen so I can get the boots out!

Bought some lovely autumn/winter gear, put all my summer stuff in the attic and then bam, its like summer again!!

Last weekend I was considering putting away the summer stuff too (and getting out the winter specialities ready for October), but I'm glad I didn't as I've taken to wearing shorts today. Crazy English weather. And just to keep things on topic I haven't worn my newest boots either, but I wasn't aiming to quite yet as I'll probably be waiting for the colder days of November onwards for their accompanying dress. Still, I've worn my leather military boots several times earlier in the month, but the 25C of today would have roasted my feet.