Hooray! My Steve Madden Damiann desert boots have proved to be one of the most gregarious, friendly, plays-nicely-with-others pairs in my closet. I'd been longing to acquire shoes like this for quite some time and already own a high wedge pair; I read a great article by a woman who spent a year writing in Italy, and she commented that she would see these literally every day on scores of Italian people from the ages of four to eighty-four, styled in every way imaginable. My understanding is that Clarks (in the 1950s) was responsible for the popularization of these crepe-soled, interpreted-for-civilians boots, designed to mimic the rough suede boots that British soldiers in the Eighth Army wore in Egypt during World War II. Anyway, one of my pragmatic and stylish little students has been rocking hers from DSW on a near-daily basis with her uniform khakis (brilliant!) since September, and I coveted them so badly - to the point that I broke character [as a serious, no-nonsense educator, okayfinenotsono-nonsense] to ask her where she got them. I scoured the Internet for the right pair, and after all my research, I determined that the Damianns were just perfect. From their smoky taupe color to the matching laces to the slightly high rise, I knew they would be ideal for neatly chilling out little boho dresses, ripped jeans, and even work outfits. Flat, comfy shoes can go wrong on me, i.e. misadventures with Sperrys and menswear-inspired wingtip oxfords, but these chic, incredibly versatile boots have not failed me! I strongly recommend that every girl I know scoop up a pair. Here are some styling ideas:
Casual: the perfect shoes for a late-night grocery run. Macy's jeggings, Old Navy oatmeal cable sweater, Forever21 hoodie, Elliot Lucca bag.
Work: Great for a long day of racing around to make copies, lecture, and circulate among students. Marshall's long-sleeved tee, Ann Taylor pants, vintage studded belt, Tiffany jewelry.
I can't wait to totally bite this adorable look - especially the slouchy little black ankle socks. Equal parts insouciant gamine and slightly grungy punk pixie. She looks so cute! Photo credit: www.gemfatale.blogspot.com
Lucky Magazine featured a little column on styling desert boots a couple of months ago; the writer was urging women to think outside the box and pair them with opaques and short, short dress shorts. Scary territory, but I think I could get into this, especially with interesting tights, like the diamond-patterned burgundy Anna Suis I found at Marshalls for $4.99. Photo credit: www.luckymag.com
Love how these downplay a short-skirted, multi-layered outfit in a "I'm-not-even-trying" way. Photo credit: www.mycolorfashion.com
You know it's good if SJP is doing it. 'Nuff said. Photo credit: www.fabsugar.com
I love this beautiful stranger! The boots look even better when they're a little beaten-and-grunged-up like this. Denim cut-offs, as far as I'm concerned, are a wardrobe staple. Photo credit: www.fashionbombdaily.com
After the ridiculously pandemic Isabel Marant Dicker boot craze, I lackadaisically tried on scores of imitations, but they're not for me. Something about that cowgirl heel and vibe read 1980s Chinese immigrant (to my p.c. friends, no offense meant -- after all my mother/personal hero fits the above description to a T, it's just not who I am) in mom jeans. I do love the mellow, feminine way Kate Bosworth styles hers, and the fact that she wears them everywhere and with everything:
Photo credit: www.bussbuss.com
Here's Kate in her appropriately scuffed-up black Dickers, presumably at Coachella or something. Photo credit: www.celebrityfashion.onsugar.com
All in all, a great success. I also like that the Damianns can transition between seasons with little to no effort and go with every ensemble imaginable. Being the type of unapologetically girly girl who only dons sneakers to work out, I'm in love with a pair of flats that match ripped jeans as well as they match a '90s floral mini-dress. Desert boots = just desserts.
- xoxo
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