In this modern day and age, women still do their part to maintain their feminine charms. We continue to put on lipstick, paint our nails, and dye our hair.
As a most paradigmatic example, we wear high heels for the sake of fashion but also for sex-appeal. And while we’re painfully regretting that last decision returning home at the end of the day, guys seem to be bouncing off their sneaker soles at our side.
Nowadays, it’s become a custom for full grown men to be wearing sneakers (trainers) for every occasion, which I find very telling of a desire to grip onto boyhood. Are you going running, shooting hoops, or skating at some untimely hour of the night?
Whatever happened to boots? They are masculine and attractive. I would be so bold as to say that what high-heels are to men, boots are to women.
All figures of authority wear them, and come to find that so do most comic book heroes; rarely will you find a hero appealing to women that’s not (Tintin, the Ninja Turtles, and the Thing come to mind).
Yet somehow the boot hasn’t quite reached the popularity of the sneaker. Hence the need to create a man’s stylistic guide to the boot based on the comic book genre’s most popular superheroes and vigilantes. Continued below.
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Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark have one major trait in common aside from being brilliant scientists. They’re both wealthy industrialists at the head of multi-million dollar companies. Stark is quite the playboy, while Wayne feigns to be. So in order to keep up his false reputation, Wayne is always wearing his best attire when attending his charity events. It would only make sense he wear Gucci.
Batman / Bruce Wayne
Gucci booties with horsebit ring buckle and perforations,
Gucci.com
Iron Man / Tony Stark
Prada nut leather ankle boots,
Bluefly.com
Both introverted and creative, Parker’s now grown up and a single freelance photographer, and Kent continues to pursue professional writing as a journalist. Both look to deflect suspicion, so their shoes should match their subdued undertones. The Diors would particularly go well with Kent’s occasional fedora.
Spider-Man / Peter Parker
Officine Creative Ankle Boot in Brown,
Barneys.com
Superman / Clark Kent
Dior Homme Suede Ankle Boots,
SaksFifthAvenue.com
The mutants Logan and Dr. Bruce Banner are constantly traveling around the world. While Dr. Banner is performing research at a soda bottle factory in Rocinha, he would need a pair of sturdy lace-ups to trek through the Amazonian forest (in style). Logan also needs a resilient pair for his covert operations.
Hulk / Dr. Bruce Banner
Dune Cent Boots,
Asos.com
Wolverine / Logan
Aldo Finnemore Boots,
Aldo.com
And lastly, I am fully aware that Dwight McCarthy wears red Converse before and after his transformation, but were I to imagine him with boots, these would be the pair. Having said that, he does have a nihilistic viewpoint on life while still being a ladies’ man, so a sophisticated version of the Doc Marten fits the bill. The Punisher needs a pair reminiscent of his military training days with the U.S. Marine Corps.
Sin City’s Dwight McCarthy
Wolverine Burton Boot in Black,
NeimanMarcus.com
The Punisher / Frank Castle
H by Hudson Major Multi Lace Boots,
Asos.com








this is awesome.
God – Why are superheroes and “Vigilantes” are SOO hot?!! It must be the boots.
This is very likely the smartest writing on the relationship between footwear and comic books written in a very long while (if not ever). And I appreciate your seductive plea for boys to become men, and hence trade in their sneakers for boots. If you ever write up a similar piece on footwear and the comic book heroin (and hopefully the villainess), do make sure to check out Selina, from The Hellfire Club–now those are boots!
Can you think of other characters to cover? I thought of Largo Winch but I’m not a huge fan of his.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Erik Perez, paixamaixa and Les Flaneurs, SARAH DAVIDA. SARAH DAVIDA said: love this.. RT @lesflaneurs A Man’s Guide to Designer Boots Based on Comic Book Superheroes and Vigilantes – http://shar.es/aPgq0 [...]
Bangin’ concept. The comic connection provides just the fiendish scheme I need to get my man into some rad new boots. Will keep you posted on progress.
Loved chatting with you Friday Ana xx
The different pairs match up perfectly with the respective superheroes. Very impressive. The choices and descriptions fit completely. Very well written.
Thoughtfully put & very well matched! Will now be keeping an eye out for Wolverine in Aldo stores
SpongeBob better step up his game! Ana rules! Shark skin would be cool.
Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope we find these heros in real life…
Is fantasy world only option do women have?
My goal for 2010..
Check the shoes first and look for that one who is not afraid to wear the Boots.