Spooky season could also be nicely over and finished, however for me, the season of the witch is perennial.
I’ve worn virtually solely black for the previous 15 years, and it is one of many strongest pillars supporting my private model. Another is the affect of Victorian and Edwardian period trend—the fragile lace, the excessive collars, the voluminous taffeta, and the various levels of gothic romance (and total witchiness), particularly in the case of mourning put on and hair jewellery. (I’m obsessive about the truth that Queen Victoria wore solely black for the ultimate 40 years of her life to mourn her beloved husband, Albert.) Perhaps most interesting to me, although, had been the boots ladies wore in the course of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
I’ve at all times felt drawn to a somewhat-pointy, lace-up leather-based boot with a low heel, notably when worn with an extended lace or in any other case ethereal gown. (I personally solely like an ankle boot when it peeks out from beneath a gown, a trouser, or denims. I don’t care to see the place the boot ends and my leg begins.) The extra wear-and-tear, the higher—and the witchier. These sneakers bridge trend and performance, their low heel making them sensible for strolling lengthy distances and traversing cobblestone streets (or, for me, stomping up and down Manhattan). In different phrases, these are sneakers for getting it finished, and with a satisfying clonk.
I launched into a campaign a bit over a yr in the past to find an vintage pair in wearable situation in a measurement 9, solely to seek out that such a factor possible doesn’t exist (Victorians apparently cherished small ft.) Those that I did encounter had been painfully slim and would in all probability disintegrate when confronted with a single gust of wind. With such a realization, I discovered myself on one other mission: to find a brand new pair that is both a historically-accurate replica or nonetheless captures a darkish, female power within the desired silhouette.
A reverse-image search of “Victorian boot” and such phrases led me straight to Spirit Halloween, so I actually needed to comb by way of the interwebs with the utmost meticulousness. Below, discover the fruits of my labor, and some methods I take pleasure in styling my witchy boots.
…with an extended gown
(Image credit score: Christina Grasso)
I am keen on this gown by Overthesea that I’ve had for years. It feels very female and bohemian, plus I like the tassel particulars. I actually take pleasure in toughening it up a bit with a black leather-based boot, which I’ve finished right here with the Aeyde Mavis boots. For a bit extra tassel motion, I carried this nice bag by Ayllon.
…with denims
(Image credit score: Christina Grasso)
For one thing a bit extra informal and daytime-friendly, I styled my witchy boots with my favourite shirt by Róhe—which I’ve gotten a lot mileage out of over the previous yr or so—and a pair of nice denims by Reformation.
…with mild layers
(Image credit score: Christina Grasso)
I lately discovered this vintage Victorian piano scarf on Etsy, which I christened on the Stevie Nicks live performance. I stay for a cape, and have been getting an increasing number of into shawls these days. The fringe is so enjoyable and oddly soothing to fidget with. To floor the look a bit, I layered it over a males’s shirt from Brooks Brothers and my favourite Reformation denims.
…with a press release coat
(Image credit score: Christina Grasso)
I scored this superb embroidered velvet coat on Etsy from a vendor in England. I discover all the finest classic within the U.Ok., both after I go to or from distributors primarily based there. The embroidery sort of jogged my memory of the neckline of the gown Anne Boleyn wore in her portrait that’s within the National Portrait Gallery in London—that offered me on it. I styled it with my Reformation denims, a tassel necklace by Christina Caruso, and my beloved Phoebe Philo-era Céline clasp bag.
…with a swimsuit
(Image credit score: Christina Grasso)
Normally after I put on a swimsuit, I imply enterprise, so I go for a idler or an excellent slingback. But I like the look of this structured YSL blazerruffled Sandro shirt (a nod to the Elizabethan ruff), and tapered trouser with a witchy boot peeking out. It feels very “don’t mess with me.”
…with a nightgown
(Image credit score: Christina Grasso)
I attribute my affinity for classic nightdresses to a variety of issues, the 1975 movie Picnic at Hanging Rock chief amongst them. If you haven’t seen it, I received’t spoil the ending, nevertheless it includes a gaggle of Edwardian schoolgirls who mysteriously vanish throughout a picnic. It’s all very gothic, and the women put on very ghostlike nightdresses with black Victorian boots. I discovered this vintage Edwardian nightdress on Etsy, and added a classic tassel necklace and classic field bag, each additionally from Etsy.
…with boho aptitude
(Image credit score: Christina Grasso)
Clearly, I’m very impressed by Chemena Kamali’s Chloé. I styled this tiered, ruffled gown by Holy Art with an outsized trench coat to make it really feel a bit much less treasured. I tucked one facet of the hem into the highest of the boot to provide the look a bit extra edge—and to point out off the incredible laces of them.