Spot of bovver

Back in west London at the tail end of December, two things cheered me through the gloomy skies and freezing weather: a pair of sheepskin insoles, and a pair of black patent bovver boots. (Is that technically four things?) These came from Head Over Heels by Dune.

They are comfortable, cheerful, and low-maintenance. Unlike echt Doctor Martens, these come with a handy zip up the side for those of us who are just too terminally lazy to lace a pair of boots up to our mid-calves. I felt very happy with my shiny sh*t-kickers, until, that is, I saw these...

These are Balenciaga's s/s 2011 biker boots, and they are TDF. I first met them on a grim dark, wet Friday afternoon on a photoshoot with Michelle. I fell, instantly, utterly, in love. Seems I am not the only one. These boots have their own following in the blogosphere. Pix below from Italian Elle, shot by Matt Jones, and US Vogue by Dusan Reljin (thanks moodboard). If only one had $1,275 to spare...

Gold chain #8: 2011

Keen-eyed followers of ShooClub may have noticed a distinct lack of posts recently. There are several practical reasons for this (moving to a new job, moving to a new country, pondering the conundrum of the stiletto-heeled hiking boot.) But the real reason is ideological. I am trying to avoid Uggs. Yes, I know they are as comfortable as a favourite armchair, but they are also as flattering to wear. Nuff said. 

Here, to kick off 2011, I present the anti-Ugg. 

These amazing gold crackle-finish leather ankle boots caught my eye in South Molton Street a week ago. The heels are shiny black pyramids, rounded at the back and tapering to a dinky stiletto point. But as they are just a couple of inches high, they are comfortable as – well, a gorgeous gold leather armchair.

They're a little bit Marc Jacobs, a little bit Alison Mosshart in Dior Homme (see above – thank you watchingtheimages), and just a little bit inexplicably Elvis...

But they are actually from Office. Twenty quid in the sale.
2011 rocks.