Boot summer: gen z’s unexpected rebellion against heat

Forget the predictable July wardrobe – a surprising trend is taking over New York’s streets: boots, even in the sweltering heat.

The boot renaissance is here

From Nolita to SoHo, a growing contingent of downtown dwellers is stubbornly opting for heavy boots alongside summer dresses and shorts. It’s a generational shift, spearheaded by Gen Z, challenging the conventional wisdom of bare feet and sandals.

The evidence is everywhere: Instagram feeds are flooded with images of cowboy boots paired with skirts, biker boots layered over denim, and a viral fascination with Frye’s Campus and Harness styles. Demand for the Campus boot spiked dramatically in 2024, forcing the brand to scramble to keep up, despite a deluge of cheaper imitations.

Beyond the trend: practicality and a touch of attitude

But this isn’t simply a fleeting fad. Many are drawn to the practicality of boots – a shield against summer showers and city grime. As nurse practitioner Dana Fantuzzi notes, “They make an outfit look tied together.”

“It’s a nice contrast to have the lightest summer dress and boots,” explains Paris-based content creator Monica Ibarra. “But boots are practical, especially for urbanites.” The juxtaposition of heat and heavy footwear creates a deliberate, almost rebellious aesthetic.

Celebrities are fueling the fire, with Dua Lipa showcasing biker boots alongside denim and a bandana, and Olivia Rodrigo styling them with a provocative baby doll dress. Even on the runway, Miu Miu presented worn-in worker boots alongside sandals – a bold statement.

“In the past year, I haven’t touched sneakers once,” says college student Theodora Tertiropoulos, sporting tan leather boots and a slip skirt. The shift represents a rejection of the 2010s sneaker dominance, a deliberate casting off of the Stan Smiths and Jordans that once ruled.

The roots of the rebellion

The trend’s origins can be traced back to festival culture; cowboy boots, traditionally worn for working outdoors year-round, have long been a staple at events like Coachella. The current iteration, however, feels distinctly different – a confident assertion of personal style, not just a functional choice.

“You have a strut with a boot,” Fantuzzi concludes. “It’s a statement.”