Big Boots Are Back, Big Time

“My first reaction when I saw them online was ‘Oh my god, let’s f—--- go!” says A$AP Nast, capturing the excitement many felt when seeing Louis Vuitton’s internet-breaking Timberland boots for the first time. "I went to the LV studio in Paris and got to see them in person,” Nast continues. “I was just so excited that the collaboration was actually real.”

Big boots, like many high-fashion reference points, are rooted in utility. From the marshes and swamps of the Southeast to the dusty plains of the Midwest, this type of footwear aims to keep entrants out while maintaining stability. In the past year or so, this everyman practicality has been applied to the runway, with the trickle-down effect resulting in a renewed appreciation for boots typically associated with the cold-weather months. For people like Nast, they never truly went away.

“I can't imagine my life without a pair of what we call ‘constructs,’” he says. “They're a staple because you can wear and style them with just about anything. They pull together even the most lackluster outfits—it's almost like magic. New York City and the entire hip-hop community have glorified them for so long. They're not going anywhere.”