Every once in a while, a shoe comes along that stops you in your tracks. You know the feeling: your heart does a little flip, your mind races with all the outfits you could wear, and suddenly, the only logical choice is to add them to your life immediately. That was me a few months ago when I first laid eyes on the velvet Tibi Harper boots. Crushed velvet. Acid orange. Kitten heel. The combination sounded like pure magic to me—equal parts daring and decadent.
I didn’t hesitate. The second they became available, I ordered them. And let me tell you, they were everything I’d hoped for and more.
Styling the Unexpected
These boots are not just shoes; they’re a conversation starter, an instant mood-lifter, and the perfect anchor for some of my more eccentric wardrobe favorites. I own a good collection of quirky vintage dresses from the ’70s and ’80s—think kooky florals, ruffled collars, and unexpected silhouettes. Pairing them with velvet orange boots creates the kind of juxtaposition I live for: part granny chic, part rock star.
But that’s not the only way to style them. They’re equally good with cropped, frayed-hem flare jeans and a worn-in rock tee topped with an oversized blazer. The boots add just enough eccentric glamour to balance out casual looks, elevating denim and tees into something much more intentional. Throw in some dangly earrings and suddenly the outfit is ready for just about anything—even wedding meetings, as I discovered earlier this week.
Falling in Love With Shoes Again
I’ll admit, I haven’t been finding many shoes lately that make me go absolutely bananas. For someone who proudly identifies as a shoe devotee, that’s been a little disappointing. Shoes are, for me, one of the most exciting parts of getting dressed. They’re where personality shines, where a touch of whimsy or boldness can transform an otherwise simple look.
So, when a shoe comes along that not only sparks excitement but also delivers on all fronts—fit, style, versatility—it feels like a small personal triumph. These boots managed to do just that. To feel so fulfilled by a single purchase? That’s rare and delightful, and I’ve been soaking up the joy of it.
Why They’ll Never Go Out of Style
Here’s the thing about unusual shoes: they’re not trend-driven in the same way a standard pump or plain ankle boot might be. A pair of crushed velvet orange kitten-heel boots isn’t designed to blend in, so they don’t run the risk of looking outdated when the season shifts. They’re inherently timeless because they never belonged to a trend cycle in the first place.
That’s part of what makes them such a smart investment. They’re a little odd, yes, but in the best way. Fashion is at its most interesting when it’s playful, when it takes risks, and when it allows you to feel like yourself—only dialed up a notch. These boots manage all of that effortlessly.
Already Eyeing the Next Pair
Naturally, one pair is never enough. Now that I’ve lived in these boots for a bit, I can’t help but dream about the dark teal version. The richness of the color, the way the velvet catches the light—just imagining them styled with jewel-toned dresses or even simple black denim makes me want to reach for my credit card. For now, I’ll let it stay a dream, but isn’t that half the fun? Shoes, after all, are as much about fantasy as they are about practicality.
The Outfit Details
For those who love the nitty-gritty of styling: on Monday, I wore the boots with a vintage Kay Unger dress cinched with a hand-painted vintage belt, chandelier earrings that swung with every step, and my trusty Simon Miller bag. It was one of those looks that felt perfectly “me”—a mix of old and new, playful and polished. And at the center of it all were the boots, making everything sing.
My Pick for Shoe of the Season
If I had to declare one shoe my favorite this season, the velvet Tibi Harper boots win by a landslide. They’re unusual, yes, but also endlessly wearable if you’re willing to lean into their eccentricity. They make me excited to get dressed again, which feels like a small but meaningful victory in a world where fashion can sometimes feel repetitive.
So here’s to finding that shoe—the one that makes you fall in love with your wardrobe all over again. May we all have a pair of acid-orange velvet boots (or their equivalent) in our closets to remind us that style should be fun, fearless, and a little bit fabulous.
