Thomas Wylde: Warrior Skull Boots
Posted on April 3rd, 2009 by galligator under Boots, Fall 2009 Shoes, High heels, Platforms, Spring 2009 Shoes, Thomas WyldeBe still my heart!

Thomas Wylde ‘Warrior Skull Boots’ $1900 at Net-a-porter.
What can I say? I love these boots!
I haven’t been too overwhelmed by the whole ‘paper-bag’ boot look, but these have it going on in all the right ways.
Can’t you just imagine being the lucky gal opening up this package from the UPS fairy? All that dark, buttery leather and that new-leather smell.
OK, fantasy over.
Gah, I am a boot lover on a budget! But WOW, these go above and beyond the mundane.
Hot. Tough. Sexy. Beautiful. Perfect.
Sigh.
- Roberto Cavalli Shoes: The skull trend is not dead yet
- Loeffler Randall Skull Flats
- Givenchy: High Bondage
- Ask the ShoeBlogger: Where can I find leather nude knee high boots?
- Juicy Couture and Kelsi Rosabella Ankle Boots
- What’s with all the skull shoes?


Piperlime
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:10 am
I find this amusing…
The boots are a lovely style, but the price is ridiculous. The price is even more insane when you realize they are ripoffs of 1980’s skull buckle boots. I still have a pair from then, different style, but with the *exact* buckles. We used to pick them up in London for a song, and they were widely imported in all the *punk* or *alternative* fashion shops at the time. At the time they were reasonably priced for an import (I think the most expensive style topped off at about $200.) There were styles with the profile skull like above, and also the typical skull and crossbones buckle. Ankle booties, as well as high knee boots.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:22 am
I well remember the 80’s. And yes many of this years styles & colors are definitely pulling from that decade.
And, no, I won’t be able to buy a pair of shoes at this price. I recently paid for my hubby’s woodshop set-up (4 tools w/worktables) at about this price. So I can’t personally justify that kind of expenditure for shoes.
I do think that the luxury market is scrambling madly to retain their status of ‘exclusivity’ – but price increases in the 600% + range over the last 7 years for what are also ‘practical goods’ is hopefully a temporary trend.
Ultimately, if the consumers don’t buy the stock & items have to be marked down, that will eventually even out the market. But, if women are paying these prices & items are selling out (Louboutin is a great example of this) then the designers have no reason to reduce prices.
I keep hoping the economic times will bring prices back down to a sane level for normal folks. It wouldn’t be so hard if high-end shoes were in the $300-500 range like in the past. At least then it wasn’t a year’s shoe budget to splurge on 1 luxury item.
Oh well, these are still gorgeous on the eyes.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Actually I think this years styles are not just pulling from the ’80’s, but resurrecting copies and calling them “new”. Not a whole lot of creativity going on in the ’80’s revival ):
I agree completely on the price points. It’s gotten completely out of hand when a lower-end brand is now demanding $200 for a pair of synthetic shoes, not to mention the insane prices of high-end brands! And don’t get me started on handbags… I too, am hoping the current economic situation will bring things down to decent levels — it’s derisible that we’re longing for the days of high-end, quality shoes in the $300-$500 range!
Agreed, these boots are very pretty, and they look comfy as well. Sigh… another one to dream about!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Actually I think this years styles are not just pulling from the ’80’s, but resurrecting copies and calling them “new”. Not a whole lot of creativity going on in the ’80’s revival ):
I agree completely on the price points. It’s gotten completely out of hand when a lower-end brand is now demanding $200 for a pair of synthetic shoes, not to mention the insane prices of high-end brands! And don’t get me started on handbags… I too, am hoping the current economic situation will bring things down to decent levels — it’s derisible that we’re longing for the days of high-end, quality shoes in the $300-$500 range!
Agreed, these boots are very pretty, and they look comfy as well. Sigh… another one to dream about!
Ooops, should have added great post! Waiting on your next one!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm
It also looks (from the UK fashion mags I can sometimes get ahold of) that there is an increased gothic presence in UK trends right now. That whole moto-chic vibe that was all over Fall ‘08 boots is a natural lead-in toward that retro-punk-goth style. Now, if I can’t live without a pair of skull boots, I may have to go with the get-the-look compromise of some short TUK engineer boots. They lack the graceful lines of this Wylde boot, but it’s not like I have a coterie of vintage boutiques in my area to find that perfect vintage 80’s find. And thing like TUK, which have never stopped being sold a la Hot Topic are another obvious source that high-end is borrowing from right now.
Or, I can always cross my fingers that this High-fashion borrowed from Low could give us an affordable Low copying it back within the next year or so. Stranger things have happened.
April 4th, 2009 at 5:43 am
The only time I’ve ever seen that many skull-buckles on a pair of boots and LIKED it.
April 4th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Yes, I’ve noticed the “Gothic Glam” trend has carried over — a little more rock n roll/ metal/ tough though. Engineer boots are classic and will be a great investment. I saw loads of engineer boots with skull buckles on Zappos. Hot Topic is great for punk/ goth/ rock n roll accessories, especially when you are able to hit it during sale time!
I wouldn’t doubt there will be a knock-off, which normally I wouldn’t go for. But after reading a little about Thomas Wylde, I def wouldn’t pay those prices for something made in China! I think they are obnoxious for jacking up the prices like that and can’t imagine the quality to be very good, nor for them to be very comfortable as made in China shoes usually kill your feet!
PS I have no idea what happened with post #3 & #4, sorry for the double post!
April 4th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
FYI – my Hot Topic was doing an extra 50% off clearance items today.
April 6th, 2009 at 1:55 am
That is a ridiculous price! I don’t really like the boots personally. I think they look a bit tacky.
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:40 pm
You can get them @ shopstyle.com for $760
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Yeah, well, $760 is still above my current ‘Ouch’ limit. I’ll survive.