Boots are a Battlefield: A New Wave of Heroes and Shooties

While the grunge chic trends we've covered issue from the muddy banks of the Wishkah and earlier British punk influecnes, a concurrent fall trend grew out of a reaction to punk's early-'80s dominance.

We're talking New Wave; we're talking shooties, hero boots and glam grrrls.

New Wave's distancing from punk pushed it toward an embrace of mod's tailored, even dandyish lines mixed with influences of then-contemporary late '70s-early '80s scenes. The shootie, a mash-up of shoes and boots with the coverage of an ankle boot and a pump's silhouette, fits right in. Steven's Midory is a pitch-perfect example. The deconstructed upper with leather tab and spike heel are lovely. They make us yearn for the old CBGB . The peeptoe is a nice touch. Wear with tights. Who owns this look? Pat Benatar. (Black PVC optional.)

Over-the-knee hero boots are showing up this season, most famously in Christian Louboutin's suede thigh-highs. The look is the murky intersection of Punk, Disco and New Wave with touches of glam, military and romance dominating. We love Lorenzo Masiero's 6730s in chocolate leather. Wear this look with a short skirt or dress, flaps flipped up to cover the knees. Again, tights here in a bright color or pattern will be a bold and brief pizzazz. Who owns this look? Deborah Harry.

Glammed-up combat boots perched atop platforms and lug soles are required uniform for punk/pop crossovers that take the attitude of Brit-punk and run it through American New Wave toward a brighter pop sound. These boots also commandeer a typically masculine style and convert its aggression into sassy feminism. (Girl Power!) We think a dose of Zamagni's 10410s in black patent are in order. The tall shaft sports paratrooper details like a side zipper and harness, all balanced on a 3-1/2" chunky heel and one-inch platform with lugged sole. Who owns this look? Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's.

Nina News

Nina's no new kid on the block (they've been around since 1953), but their Spring/Summer '08 collection is definitely hangin' tough. The '80s rule in this collection that cites such luminaries as Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, Jerry Hall and Deborah Harry; and luminous textures as gloss, popping metallics-on-metallics and bright colors. This collection sits where "disco [is turning] into punk": the whirling admixture of glam and bricolage, society and defiance that defined a decade.

The look is certainly taking. Nina is the official shoe for tonight's Miss USA 2008 competition. Look for the Vikki sandal during the swimsuit competition and the Cason during the opening presentation. The line has been touted in Life & Style, "America's Prom Queen" on ABC, People magazine and Brides magazine. AOL's "stylelist" covered our very own Alayna (above, in fuschia).

Our collection of strappy-strap sandals and cute peeptoes are totally eighties and a great way to kick off the summer. Take a look at what's online and enjoy the weekend!