utilitarian items... out of context

[calexico]

i am thisclose to getting a pair of hunter-brand rain boots...
yes, a little strange considering i live in a place where it rains for 2.5 weeks out of the year (if that)...
but i am so fascinated by utilitarian things lately... even if my wearing them is a bit out of context...
equestrian boots, rain boots, industrial coveralls, etc...

i recently bought a pair of equestrian boots...
and a while ago, received a pair of carhartts (flame-resistant work pants) from my husband...
(i suppose i do work in the metal shop every now and then, so the carhartts are not completely out of context)

this got me thinking...
what do you guys think of utilitarian wear that is taken out of context?
ie. rain/hunting boots in sunny southern california?
or equestrian boots on the urban street?

i am more referring to the original utilitarian piece and not so much the trend...
(which is why i posted in the ‘personal style’ forum and not the ‘trendspotting’ forum)

it's hard for me to put cowboy boots in this discussion because they've become so much of a trend that we've lost touch of their utilitarian value...
but i suppose we can use them as an example as well...
as long as we are talking about original cowboy boots and not the bright pink pair you buy at trendy stores...

these are the hunter boots, by the way...
as a point of reference...

 

[calexico]

View attachment 135835

 

[Diorling]

I love it. In Georgetown I saw a woman wearing a pair of black extremely well fitted overalls, but instead of two straps to the back of the item, it was one like a halter and the back was completely open, really cool.

Those rainboots are soo cool, I want some in black...no make that red...no black...

 

[travolta]

Yeah, I’m a fan of the utilitarian item as well, in or out of context. Preferably a mix of both. I love the hardiness and the functional details -- I come from the land of meat and potatoes. As long as you aren’t drowning in sweat or submitting yourself to bodily harm, I say form meets function meets form is way cool.


I was just in a military surplus store the other day scoping out the goods, and I found all sorts of delectable items. The rubber boots with the soles that resembled chewed up food were particularly enticing (very similar to those hunter boots you posted, but slightly more retro looking) as were the winter hats with the ear flaps that Velcro in all sorts of funky directions. Unfortunately all the sizes were humungous, and I had to leave empty handed.


Anyways, I’ve always wanted a pair of carhartt overalls cut off into a mini dress. I think it’s a little more attainable than buying a utilitarian chic junya piece.

 

[calexico]

a carhartt mini dress... that is a wicked idea...
i like buying utilitarian items and customizing them to fit my lifestyle as well...
but i am a sucker for the original thing and not just a chic/boutique rendition of the real thing...

 

[travolta]

^ yeah. the renditions are a bit like flacid mush, eh? not to get graphic or anything.

if you end up making a carhartt mini dress, let me know. i'd love to see what you'd do with the left over parts. i have some ideas stewing in my brain...

 

[fourboltmain]

...flacid mush...

Like Bob Dole?

I have to agree with you guys, the legit thing is far superior to a knock off.