These Boots Are Made For Stomping
“Alternative” is a broad category that covers anything from the most romantic goth to cyberpunk, the most important element being that it diverts from the mainstream. Alt styles are an expression of subculture, rebellion, and personal identity that connects people all over the world. If you’re looking for ways to explore your alternative style, read on.
1. Doc Martens
Possibly the spokesmodel for alternative foot fashion, Doc Martens can stand alone as its own style. The company has been around since the late 40s, and has covered footwear for punks, goths, and grunge wearers alike.
2. Creepers
Creepers are a platform shoe that consists of thick crepe soles and suede tops. The style has been around since World War II, originating from North African soldiers. Creepers can come in a variety of colors and styles, but are most well-known in goth or indie subcultures.
3. Motorcycle Boots
These thick boots are most commonly used to improve motorcycle safety, as they have heavy leather with energy-absorbing padding. That hasn’t stopped non-motorcycle riders from wearing them, though. Motorcycle boots are common in grunge, moto boho, or other edgy styles.
4. Knee-High Converse
How can we forget this early 2000s staple? Knee-high Converse gives the wearer a retro, but playful vibe that fits well with emo or scene styles. Just make sure to break out your skinny jeans for these larger-than-life shoes.
5. Pleasers
Pleasers are most commonly used by exotic dancers to enhance leg length and provide stability, but they’re also gorgeous party shoes. You can throw some spikes on them for a more formal, edgy look, or use them for softer aesthetics, like mermaidcore.
6. Platform Boots
Platform boots come in a huge variety of colors and styles, ranging from retro patterns of the 60s to more sleek designs of today. Regardless, stomping around in a big boot will make anyone pay attention to you and subsequently move out of your way.
7. Combat Boots
Combat boots have a long history, with, of course, combat and military use. They were popularized as a fashion item in the 1970s, thanks to the British punk scene as a physical manifestation of anti-war movements.
8. Loafers
Loafers, or slip-on shoes, first came onto the scene in the early 20th century, thanks to Norwegian shoemaker Nils Gregoriusson Tveranger. Today, loafers are a comfortable shoe that is easy to pair with more professional outfits, though many alternative styles exist. Many loafers fit right in with goth, dark academia, or other alternative-chic aesthetics.
9. Mary Janes
Mary Janes are a leather shoe that was originally made for children in the early 20th century. They were popularized for adults in the 90s, featuring prominently in rock, psychobilly, goth, and punk subcultures. Today, Mary Jane pumps are also prominently featured in flotilla fashion.
10. Clogs
Clogs have been around for nearly 1000 years, originating as protective footwear in the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Today, clogs are seen as a comfortable style of footwear that is used by nearly everyone, regardless of aesthetic. That said, bohemian, cottagecore, or other outdoorsy-focused aesthetics do tend to favor this shoe.
11. Chunky Sneakers
These thick, typically platformed sneaker styles were popularized among streetwear aesthetics, as they combined a relaxed, yet polished look. However, chunky sneakers are a great option for your goth, punk, or otherwise alternative styles, especially when your feet are aching from all those heavy boots.
12. Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots have been around in some capacity for a couple of hundred years, first appearing in high fashion in the 1970s. They’re quite popular in cottagecore, goth, and rockabilly subcultures. Bonus points if you find them in the corner of your local thrift shop.
13. Chelsea Boots
Chelsea boots are a gender-neutral boot that dates back to the Victorian era, but were popularized in the mod scene of the 1960s. This style is one of the most commonly-worn boots today, but their simplicity makes them appropriate for a variety of aesthetics and outfits.
14. Oxfords
The Oxford shoe is a tapered shoe that appeared in America around the 1800s. They’re commonly made out of leather, and are usually sported for formal or professional purposes. Oxfords came into style for mod and rude boy subcultures during the 60s and 70s, and still make their mark as a versatile shoe today.
15. Winklepickers
Winklepickers are a popular shoe that features a sharp and long pointed toe. They were first popularized in the 50s with the teddy boy subculture, and were common among goths in the 80s. Today, winklepickers are still popular among goth, raggare, and rockabilly subcultures.
16. Saddle Shoes
Saddle shoes are a subset of oxfords that feature a low heel and a saddle-shaped decorative panel. They were quite common among school girls in the 40s and 50s, and are commonly seen in rockabilly, psychobilly, gothabilly, dandies, and other vintage enthusiasts today.
17. Go-Go Boots
These popular square-toed boots were first introduced in the 1960s and likely named after the popular dance style. Go-go boots experienced a fashion resurgence in the 1990s and have really come back into the fold in the past few years.
18. Victorian Boots
Victorian boots were ankle or mid-calf length boots that featured lacing or buttons as their method of closure. They first appeared in the 1800s, featuring a rounded toe shape and a low, thin heel. Today, Victorian boots are popular in goth subcultures, as well as the steampunk movement.
19. T-Strap Heels
These dancing heels were popularized in the 1920s, as women started showing more legs. As the years progressed, these heels became a lower, more rounded heel for evening wear. Today, T-Strap heels are offered in a variety of styles and are most popular among rockabilly, flapper, and Jirai Kei subcultures.
20. Pumps
Pump shoes are a type of closed-toe shoe that has a medium to high heel. They were used by men and women in the 16th and 17th centuries, but were popularized as a women’s shoe during the 1950s. Pumps come in all sorts of styles and heights today, as their timeless appeal makes them a staple in any closet.
