“tricot COMME des GARÇONS” 1990’s-00’s Lace-up military boots

Faded color

Subtly introducing a sense of discomfort to conventional beauty, while embodying a core strength in everyday wear, tricot COMME des GARÇONS presents a masterpiece archive boot that reflects the brand's aesthetic through its practical shoe structure.

While based on a design reminiscent of rugged military boots, the overall silhouette is kept slim, combining strength and elegance. The form rises straight from the ankle to the shaft, making a strong presence without appearing overly heavy, and the quiet tension characteristic of tricot creates a very impressive, understated sense of alertness at the feet.

The first thing that catches the eye is the deep dark brown leather with a reddish hue, which shows a subdued blackish expression depending on the light. When moved, the hidden brown tones and gloss come to the fore, creating a rich depth that cannot be contained by a single color. Additionally, the scuffs around the toe and heel from wear produce natural shadows that cannot be achieved through typical processing, making the accumulated time of this piece function as a design element, which is a major appeal.

The structure features an 8-eyelet lace-up design, with the vertical lines beautifully aligned when properly laced up, and the evenly running laces on the front create visual rhythm without additional decoration. The eyelets are unified with dark, matte hardware, giving a tough appearance without making the overall impression too sharp, maintaining harmony. The moderate thickness of the round laces also evokes workwear and military contexts, contrasting with the slender last to create a unique balance for these shoes.

Multiple areas feature triple-stitched reinforcement, serving as functional details for durability. By using matching thread, they avoid excessive emphasis and instead act like a graphic that beautifully shows the surface transitions. The counter reinforcement around the heel provides a solid structure to the back view and tightens the overall outline of the boot, giving a more refined posture when worn.

The sole is made of thick rubber, providing stability and a firm grip on the ground. The heel is independently structured, ensuring practicality derived from work boots. At the same time, the overall volume is not exaggerated, allowing the boots to blend seamlessly with skirts or trousers without standing out, which is a very excellent feature of this piece.

It is natural to date this from around 1995 to 2003, based on features such as the three-tier gold stamping on the insole reading tricot COMME des GARÇONS MADE IN JAPAN, the size notation of 22 1/2 on the shaft interior and outsole, and the method of directly marking sizes with white ink. These are characteristics often seen in Gallant shoes from the late 90s to early 2000s. Additionally, the aging of the leather and the texture of secondary materials provide physical evidence of long-term use, making this a piece whose period authenticity is supported by detailed craftsmanship rather than mere impression.

The added value of this boot lies in borrowing symbols of military and workwear, but not ending there in a rough manner. Instead, it is carefully designed to reflect the slenderness and tension when placed on a woman's feet. The strength and rebellious spirit that tricot COMME des GARÇONS has long presented—beyond mere cuteness—are quietly embedded in this piece, making it more than just a practical item or vintage boot. It embodies the brand's philosophy, allowing you to enjoy it as a statement of style.

Styling options include pairing with long skirts or flared bottoms to naturally highlight the contrast between softness and strength typical of tricot. Combining with neat shirts or light jackets creates an outfit with a subtle tension starting from the feet. Alternatively, matching with relaxed trousers or simple dresses also works well, as the boots themselves have enough presence to keep the overall look balanced with minimal decoration, resulting in a very elegant appearance.

Don't miss this opportunity.