reviewing the mnz belmont boots, post-honeymoon period

Last May I wrote about how I found the “perfect black boot” after spotting them on a stylish stranger at Canyon Coffee—the MNZ Belmonts. I was infatuated with them.

Isn’t that how it always goes in the beginning?

It’s a bold claim to call anything perfect, so I feel compelled to share how they fit into my wardrobe 8 months later—after the honeymoon period.

Pros:

• I still love them for the same reason I did at time of purchase: they’re just a really classic, simple, walkable black leather boot. They strike a balance of masculine and feminine…which is so important on days where I’m not trying to dress too overtly in either direction.

• After buying these, I *almost* got sucked into the Miu Miu moto harness boot trend last year but I am glad I didn’t. They are so similar, but looking at them both with some distance now, I definitely prefer the cleaner look of the MNZ Belmonts.

• They slip on, no laces or zippers or buckles. Which is SO nice and a major determining factor of how often I wear a pair of shoes. I reflected on this and realized my least-worn shoes were the Simone Rocha track sole ballerinas (like trying to get into actual pointe shoes) and Carel Kinas (three buckle straps).

• I can drive and walk easily in these. Big points.

• My favorite way to style them is with a long cotton dress…something Doen-y.

• I genuinely believe these are a year-round boot because of the length and cut. Knee boots feel more exclusively fall/winter. But the mid-calf length of these boots fit into my image of a summer outfit: swimsuit, straw hat and silver jewelry.

Cons:

• The inside sole is kind of hard, so I highly recommend getting some thin padded inserts. It makes a big difference in walkability.

• I wear a lot of straight leg jeans that are too thick to tuck into the boot, but awkwardly not quite enough fabric to drape over the boot in a cool way…baggy jeans are the way to go, I think. I think of these boots more as dress/skirt shoes than pants shoes.

• This might sound kind of stupid but they look like rainboots to me so I have a habit of wearing them in light rain (bc I don’t own rainboots and I hate carrying an umbrella). This has made the leather texture a little wrinkly, but it’s more of a “user error” issue of mine.

---

I have been half-heartedly checking sales on the other colors, though I’ll hold off for now because I really don’t think I need the addition at all. I’m partial to the banana milk yellow ones, limited sizes on both SSENSE and Garmentory.

What’s a purchase you made last year that you still rave about?

---