Burberry Prorsum Aviator Boots

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You've seen it, you want it. In her first editorial feature for StyledOn, writer Brittnee Cann dissects one of the season's biggest 'it' items–the Burberry Prorsum Shearling-lined Aviator Boots.

It was barely even chilly enough to wear boots when we started seeing these Burberry Prorsum ones all over the place. No doubt that shearling is the must-have trim for this season, but still, these boots seem to outshine every other fuzzy jacket and accessory we’ve seen.

NYLON magazine has taken a liking to these booties two-fold. We spotted their style director Dani Stahl wearing them at the Richard Chai Love spring 2011 show during New York Fashion Week and word has it that the mag’s October it-girl Emma Stone wore them during her shoot (sadly the photos don’t allow us to see what is happening below her knees though). Another October cover girl, Nicole Richie wore them for her spread in this month’s InStyle UK. Photo blogger Tommy Ton has expressed his approval a few times now by posting them in his street snaps section on Style.com as well as on his other site over at Jak & Jil. Somewhere even Janet Jackson liked what she saw because the pop legend was spotted traipsing around New York City in a pair with jeans and a t-shirt.

And despite their hefty price tag, they’re sold out on Burberry’s US site so you’ll have to look to other retailers to score these babies (we suggest trying Neiman Marcus). But what is it exactly about these boots in particular that has the fashion world in a frenzy? Let’s take a closer look at what makes these booties a must-have item…

Shearling and leather were a-plenty at the Burberry Prorsum fall 2010 collection, but it was the boots above all else that stole the show. The collection was military-cool with hints of lace and body-conscious fits that kept the overall look feminine. In the first two-dozen or so looks from the runway, we saw some over-the-thigh leather boots in black and green snakeskin. The second half of the show featured some at-the-knee boots mixed in between the thigh-highs and it wasn’t until the tail end of the collection that the ankle aviators came out to close the show. So maybe we’re all obsessed simply because they were the last image of footwear to be burned into our memory after the show, but we have an inkling that it’s more so because they’re just that amazing.

‘It’ Item: Burberry Prorsum shearling-lined aviator boots

Price: $1,095

Where to buy: Sold out most places, but Neiman Marcus still has a few pairs.

The dissection: Featured on Burberry’s fall 2010 runway in London this boot was seen in a couple of varying heights. One pair came up close to the knees while these were truncated just above ankles. Black leather, lined with cream shearling, and with four gold buckles across the front and outer sides, this bootie provides a way to take on the military trend without having to reach for your olive green parka. The heel measures five inches with a platform of one inch and the bottom treads are rubber, so even though they’re sky-high they do offer some traction on the underside. The opening at the ankle juts out just a bit in the front as to create a silhouette allowing a visual separation between where the leg ends and the boot begins.

The downfall: Wait, seriously? Are we really supposed to be able to navigate the snow-lined streets of New York with that heel? They look so cozy and warm, but the thinness of the stiletto is sending a mixed message as to what kind of weather these are made for.

Verdict: The inside lining looks so inviting and cozy that we’re tempted to say 'yes' but in order to wear them we’ll have wait for a dry winter day when there is a zero percent chance of any black ice lingering around. And with a price tag of over a thousand bucks, it would be a serious tragedy to see these babies maimed by sidewalk salt. That said, maybe we’ll opt for Topshop’s tip-off version instead (pictured at right) which ring in at only $190.

What about you? Would you shell out a grand for Burberry's chic shearling bootie or will you be happily settling for Topshop's option?

1 Comment

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  Casey Kettleson • over 1 year ago
  Welcome to the team Brittnee! And btw - totally buying those Topshop boots, even if I'm dreaming of Burberry.

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