Moon Boots are a must this winter – or are they?
25.1.2022
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Moon Boots have been the rage for over five decades. But what makes these snow boots so successful? And what have they got to do with the moon landing?
«Whaaaat, you’re wearing Moon Boots?» my colleague Anne Chapuis throws her hands up in bewilderment when she sees my new boots. «You typically have good taste, I can’t believe it,» she says, shaking her head. To be honest, neither can I. I have a love-hate relationship with Moon Boots: I think they’re great, but also not. Honestly, I made fun of them for a long time because they look like coloured plaster casts. But suddenly something sparked between us in 2018 as the boots enjoyed a fashionista-led revival. Just as quickly as the spark had been ignited, the «Glance» model landed in my Galaxus shopping cart:
I had this image of myself wearing the boots out on a walk or on a snowy Saturday afternoon in the city. Was I ever off the mark! But before I go into more detail, here’s a little throwback to the history of the iconic boots.
Moon landing
The designer behind this extravagant boot is Italian shoemaker Giancarlo Zanatta. He’s tired of the winter boots available in the sixties, which all look the same – lined and typically made of black or brown leather. Basta! In 1969, the Italian hopes to design something unprecedented. Neil Armstrong’s space boots, worn that very same year during the moon landing, undeniably serve as Giancarlo’s inspiration. And so, the chunky Moon Boot made of nylon and foam is born. Giancarlo had his finger on the pulse with his futuristic shoe. In the same decade, fashion designers like André Courrèges and Pierre Cardin are celebrating Space Age fashion. The boots by Tecnica fit perfectly with the fashion pieces inspired by outer space, such as shiny capes and one-piece suits. It’s only a matter of time before the boots make it from ski resorts to Beverly Hills.
Spot landing
In the 00s, celebrities make moon boots socially acceptable. At the forefront: Trash Queen Paris Hilton, who’s not exactly known for her good taste, but rather for her large fan base. The boots become popular even off the snowy slopes. Stars like Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey and Kim Kardashian also contribute to their success. Soon, the winter boots even make it onto the catwalk. Fashion houses like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton are inspired the boots’ design and create their own versions, which garners even more attention.
Fifty years later, this is still at work: this year, too, Moon Boots are on the rise. Celebs like model Hailey Bieber and singer Dua Lipa are leading the way. Influencers are following suit on TikTok and Instagram and posting pictures of the boots to their pages.
Crash landing
«Moon Boots» – like «Uggs» – have since become a general term for oversized winter boots. Much to Tecnica’s chagrin. Many labels have taken to copying the boot or use its design as inspiration. After a long legal battle, Moon Boots have been legally protected in terms of design and name since 2016 under Italian law. If you want to design a Moon Boot-like winter shoe, you have to do it in collaboration with Tecnica. Even so, interest in the boots has not flattened. On the contrary: brands such as Jimmy Choo, Moncler and designer Jeremy Scott have since teamed up with the Italian company. The latest example is the collaboration with Chloé. The French fashion house has opted for natural colours and lambskin details in its reinterpretation of the Moon Boot. You can get a pair for a mere 850 francs – harrumph – and is touted on Insta as the winter shoe of the season.
To the moon and back?
Speaking of: I offered my unworn Moon Boots for sale on a resale platform. Do I regret selling them? Nope. In fact, I’m not sure why I bought them in the first place. I suppose Moon boots have been trending for so long that we all buy a pair sooner or later without really knowing why. Quite the feat for a shoe model. That’s one small step for you, one giant leap for the brand.
Header image: TatnattanPhotos/Shutterstock
When I’m not exploring the depths of the sea as an open water diver, I enjoy plunging into the world of fashion. On the streets of Paris, Milan and New York is where I keep my eyes peeled for the latest trends. And I’ll show you how to take them from the catwalk to your everyday life.
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