Last updated on April 28th, 2021 at 04:30 pm
There are so many questions about brown boots. As footwear experts we hear a lot of them, especially queries like which ones are most versatile, what colour to choose and can you can wear brown boots with black? Boots can be easy to style and buy when you know what you’re looking for. We’ll help you figure out which brown boots you need and how to keep them looking their best when you have them.
Should I Choose Brown Boots or Black Boots?
Brown boots are just as versatile as black boots. Brown can usually add a little more contrast into your wardrobe too. Both colours go with a variety of outfits from jeans, to leggings and skirts or dresses. When it comes to black trousers, brown adds a little more distinction to the outfit, whereas black on black can look indistinct depending on what else you wear with it. Black jeans and brown boots can look very chic together, if styled right.
There are lots of different brown boots to choose from. Whether you’re looking for contrast or something to match the rest of your wardrobe, figuring out what suits your style is the first step to making a great boot buying decision. Don’t settle for boots that you haven’t fallen in love with, the right pair will come along in time.
What Shade Of Brown Boots Should I Choose?
What colour of brown boots you should select depends on several different factors.
Cognac brown is a popular choice. It tends to go with everything and is therefore easy to add into outfits. It’s much easier to style than dark or chocolate brown. Also, it is said that the colour that matches best with the shade of your hair, will be the most versatile for you. If you’re looking for some contrast in your wardrobe, go for an unusual colour for you. If you wear for a lot of black for example, cognac or tan will work well for you.
Trying and looking around will help you find out which pair you feel most comfortable in. Try to keep your current wardrobe in mind when assessing different styles of brown boots.
Can I Wear Brown Boots With Black?
It was known as a general ‘fashion rule’ that brown and black don’t mix. However, the two colours can go well together, and can look very stylish if worn in the right way. For example, try black jeans with a black leather jacket, and brown Chelsea boots. How chic does that look?!
Brown boots can also go very well with a black suit. However, chocolate brown shades are a better match than cognac brown in this case. With trousers like leggings, cognac tends to be more suited because it has a warm, reddish undertone. Chocolate brown doesn’t compliment bright colours very well, but looks smart against the sophistication of a black suit.
Don’t be afraid to mix brown and black, this is definitely a fashion rule to break!
Why Are My Brown Boots Changing Colour?
If your boots are turning white, it could because of the salt that is often sprinkled over roads in the winter. Even if your boots have dried, it can still leave a mark. To get them back to their original colour, you can take them to a cobbler who will have the expertise to remove the white staining.
If you can’t find a cobbler, or would prefer to do this yourself, you will need some brown leather dye, some shoe polish and wax. Before you start with the dye and wax, be sure to wipe your shoes off with a damp rag. This will collect all the excess salt that you don’t want effecting the new dye. If you can apply a few layers of wax before you go out into the bad weather, you shouldn’t have this issue again.
How To Shine Brown Boots
When shining brown boots, the first thing you need to do is clean the excess dirt and wear off of the boots. Do this with a soft brush or sponge and a little bit of soap with water. If the shoes already have some left-over polish, that needs to come off too. You shouldn’t put new polish over old polish, as it will just crack and settle into the skin of the leather. To remove the old polish, for time purposes, you could add some nail polish remover to an old rag and rub the shoe down. It’s always wise to test this on a small area of the boot first to ensure it doesn’t cause any damage. Be gentle too, you don’t want to rub too hard and take the finish of the leather off.
After you’ve stripped the leather, you need to rejuvenate it. Many different products can be used for this part. For example, some cream based conditioner, saddle soap or mink oil renovator. This step helps soften the leather and get it ready to absorb the polish better. To work it into the leather, use some cotton and wrap it around a few of your fingers. When the conditioner is applied, let the boots sit and dry for around 20 minutes.
Next, it’s time to apply the first layer of polish. We suggest using a cream based product if you want to bring back some colour to the shoe. You should apply the brown polish that matches the shade of your boots as closely as possible with a brush. Really work the polish into the leather and get every part of the shoe covered in a thin layer. This step can sometimes be a little tricky due to the fact light leathers can sometimes become damaged by moisture. This happens if the polish not applied properly and spread out evenly. When you’ve applied an equal layer of the polish, let the boot sit for 20 minutes.
Then, it’s time for the wax polish. When applying the wax polish, you want to use little circular motions evenly around the shoe. You should apply a little bit of pressure, but not so much that you are damaging the leather. You can to apply 1 to 2 layers of this polish and letting the shoe sit for 10-20 minutes before moving on to the next step. The next step is the trickiest part. You’ll need some water as well as your wax polish. Dip your fingers that are covered in cotton in the wax. Then dip your ring finger, without the fabric, into the water so you have a drop of water on your finger. You then need to drop the small amount of water on the shoe and immediately rub it away with the wax on the cotton.
After each layer, you should feel the shoe get smoother and smoother. When you think you’ve finished, leave the shoe to sit overnight. Then then apply the final layer of wax and water the next day.
To keep the shine and remove dust and dirt, use a black piece of nylon, like women’s tights for a daily clean. Gently rub it around the shoes so they’ll look shiny between polishes.
In Conclusion:
Everyone needs a great pair of brown boots in their wardrobe. Don’t shy away and stick to black; embrace the style and variety that comes with brown. From tan to chocolate and cognac, you’re sure to find a pair that suits your look. Choose them, love wearing them and care for them correctly, and your brown boots will see you through the colder seasons in style.
