While the array of white ankle boots presented for spring 2017 by designers such as Marni and Hermès may not have been a groundbreaking statement, the item’s continued popularity for fall and winter is less expected. Embraced both on and off of the runway, the white ankle boot was a choice shoe and was a widely featured offering at last week’s MAGIC, FN Platform and Project trade shows.
The Chelsea boot continues to uptrend, as mod influences within trade show footwear assortments resulted in a vast array of new white iterations of the style. At FN Platform, Via Spiga’s first collection from newly appointed head designer Carla de Freitas executed the concept well. The brand’s super-sleek assortment included a smart take on the Chelsea with contrasting black elastic gussets and a subtly flared high heel. Swedish shoemaker Vagabond also showcased a dramatic black-and-white palette on the label’s own modern version with a sturdy sole and very low heel.
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At Project, eye-catching whites stood out at Dolce Vita’s footwear booth. Achromatic surfaces brightened the vendor’s new boot silhouettes, many of which had retro designs evocative of the styles seen on London’s Carnaby Street in the Sixties. One boot’s front zipper with a large circular pull provided both visual charm and function.
Trendy ankle-exposing booties, which are already ubiquitous at retail in black, look fresh in bleached whites. When applied to Western shapes, the color takes on rock-and-roll attitude that appeals to a broad spectrum of ages. This was especially true during Proenza Schouler’s fall 2017 showing that included a pieced white cowboy bootie, punctuating the style with a chunky black sole and comfortably low heel.
Offering versatility that rivals traditional black counterparts as well as dramatic impact comparable to that of boldly hued styles, the white ankle boot is a statement shoe without limitations — a trend worthy of investment.