The great Gothic boot debate

 

When I started this blog, I promised myself it wouldn’t become just another Gothic style blog and I intend to keep it that way. However, there’s one thing I want to talk about. Boots. Gothic boots, to be more precise.

Boots have to be the most important item in every self-respecting goth’s wardrobe. We wear them for gigging, clubbing, posing and long, yomping walks. They’re a statement, a chat-up line, a status symbol, a necessity. To put it simply, a Goth without boots is just not properly dressed, right?

Pointy boots

The early days of Goth was a time when pointy boots were all the rage. Flat or heeled, plain or adorned with myriad buckles, pointy boots were a must-have in the 80’s and nothing else would do. Best worn posing in pubs and clubs like Bartley Dunnes or The Source. The only drawback was getting the stiletto type constantly re-heeled and the points were prone to scuffing. Today, you can only find them on specialist websites or in one-off designs like the Red or Dead ‘Ellie’ boots currently on sale in Schuh. I confess to being a footwear fiend and have these in black AND red. (Yes, I know. I need help.)

Doc Martens

For those who went the more utilitarian route, Doc Martens were the boot of choice. Suitable for any occasion, pilgrimages were made in the 80’s to Moore St Market to buy these at a reasonable price, the expense being justified by the fact that they were ‘an investment’. The more lace holes your pair of DM’s had, the better, it seemed. Doc’s were the functional boot choice for Goths on a budget as they were comfortable, hard-wearing and lasted for years if cared for properly. Perfect for gigs and festivals.

New Rocks

As the 90’s gave way to the 00’s, a new type of boot made an appearance and New Rocks became the ‘must-have’ in Gothic footwear style. They were big, bold, stompy and could not be ignored. Kind of like the brightly-hued Cyber goths who adopted them as their own. Every Saturday night, the floors of Dominion would reverberate to numerous pairs collectively stomping in unison to Rammstein’s ‘Du Hast’. The only drawback of New Rocks is they are hardly discreet so probably not the best thing to wear to a job interview. 😉

The online revolution

As the internet and online shopping took off, Goths everywhere became spoiled for choice as more brands and styles became accessible. Demonia, Pleaser, TUK, Iron Fist and more. Buckle boots, knee boots, thigh-high patent dominatrix boots, dainty Victorian numbers and clumpy steampunk boots bristling with brass fittings. Today we’re spoiled for choice, the only constraint being our budget.

So whether you like your boots big and stompy, pointy or dainty, or plain and utilitarian, there’s a boot out there to suit as many goths as there are subgenres of goth.

One thing that remains true…” nice boots” is still a great chat-up line/conversation-starter. 😉

So what boots do you wear? Leave a comment and join the boot debate below.