Friday, 10 February, 2023 UTC
Summary
If you have questions about the big red boots all over your feeds you're not alone.
For one, they're officially called Big Red Boots, and yes, they are real and available to buy. MSCHF, the art collective that created the Big Red Boots, was cheekily cryptic about its latest product, but here's what we know.
What are the Big Red Boots?The Big Red Boots are oversized cartoonish boots recently spotted on influencers and other fashion folk that have gone viral for their ridiculous look. Much like Crocs' evolution from dorky dad shoes to an ironic fashion statement, the Big Red Boots are both trendy and a subversion of trends.
The short answer is that they're big cartoony boots. The long answer is that they're a critique of capitalist mass consumption and the impermanence of trends. More on that below.
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)Who is the creator behind the Big Red Boots?
The Big Red Boots are made by the art collective MSCHF. According to its website, MSCHF "subverts mass/popular culture and corporate operations and tools for critique and intervention."
The collective was also behind the "Satan Shoe" collaboration with Lil Nas X, a.k.a. the Nike Air Max 97 sneakers that contained a drop of blood in the air bubble. Nike sued MSCHF for the unauthorized sale of its Nike Air Max 97 sneakers.
No word yet on how Boots from Dora the Explorer feels about his boots being copied.
Why is MSCHF selling Big Red Boots?"The aesthetic Overton Window continues to stretch open towards the unreal," said the description on the product page. In other words, this aesthetic reflects the increasingly merging worlds of virtual and reality. "The continued blending of virtual and IRL aesthetic has us chasing supernormal stimuli. When half the sneakers we see on social media are renderings, we come to expect a baseline of unreality. Big Red Boots are VR chat boots."
Hopefully, that clears things up.
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)What are the Big Red Boots made of?
The Big Red Boots are made of TPU, which is what many phone cases are made of, rubber, and an EVA foam outsole and midsole. EVA is the same stuff Crocs are made of. So yes, the boots are bouncy, a little bit squishy, and might be fun to chew on.
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)How much do the Big Red Boots cost?
They cost $350, which depending on your interest in fashion is decently priced for a pair or boots, or ridiculously expensive for novelty rubber boots.
Where can I buy the Big Red Boots? You can buy them on MSCHF.com and the MSCHF Sneakers app.
When are they available?The Big Red Boots go on sale to the public on February 16 at 11 a.m. EST.
Help, how do I get the Big Red Boots off?Good question. Some people have been struggling with this. Try enlisting a friend or two to help. Also, maybe wear some kind of grippy sock underneath to help the rubbery suctioned boots slide off.
Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)How do I style the Big Red Boots?
Another good question! Wear with baggy pants and loud colors like IMG model Wisdom Kaye. Or tuck pants into them and complete the outfit with an American flag sweater, like Jannik Diefenbach a.k.a. @jaadiee's grandpa. With cartoonish big red boots, the possibilities are beyond your imagination.
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