During New York Fashion Week, certain items always stand out as favorites among the fashion crowd. Last year, the Prada logo tank tops and The Row’s minimal strappy heels were in high demand. This year, however, MSCHF’s Big Red Boot has become a viral sensation, surpassing even the beloved Manolos.
MSCHF is an experimental fashion brand that often uses their product releases to make a statement, and the Big Red Boot is no exception. The company has previously released items like boots that resemble medical casts and Birkinstock sandals made from Hermès Birkins. Their latest release, priced at $350, is made of TPU rubber and an EVA mid-outsole, and takes design cues from video games. The boots were designed to be cartoonish and playful, as the press release notes, “Cartoonishness is an abstraction that frees us from the constraints of reality. If you kick someone in these boots, they go boing!”
The Big Red Boot has been seen on celebrities and street style stars during New York Fashion Week, including Dorian Electra, who styled the boots with a graphic coat and a mini skirt to showcase them fully. Model Sarah Snyder paired them with a glossy red skirt and white tights, while TikTok star and model Wisdom Kaye styled them with athletic shorts. The boots seem to be the focal point of every outfit they are worn with.
The Big Red Boot’s widespread popularity is surprising given how impractical and unusual they are. They take some effort to get on and off, as several TikTok videos have shown. However, fashion people love a gimmick, and these boots are a conversation starter. Celebrities like basketball player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Diplo, and Janelle Monae have all been seen wearing them outside of the fashion set. The boots’ unique design and attention-grabbing nature are what make them so desirable for fashion-forward individuals. Though, as with many trends, it is uncertain whether they will remain in vogue next season or fade away like a Nintendo 64.
