What are Mumboots?

[StuckUpTheFarawayTree]

Just wondering... and also wondering if I have any.

Black leather ankle boot, mid heel. A bit like this

Or often with a chunkier heel than that.

Oh that took me to the mobile homepage of Clarks but I think I get the idea. What was that shoe called?

Ignore that. I've sussed how to open it in different browser on phone.

Man, they are bad! I have long, flat riding style boots. I hope they aren't considered mumsy?

Worn under bootleg jeans that are a bit light because they've been washed a lot and a bit short.

In other words sensible boots worn with sensible length trousers that don't get wet and muddy

Or exactly what I wear days, except my present comfiest boots are brown.

Mum boots

Phew! They are the type my 63 year old mum wears! I think I'm safe. Thanks guys!

I beg to differ. In the fashion world 'Mum boots' are the kind of 70s straight leg brown leather heeled boots that we might remember our mum wearing - <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=victoria+beckham+mum+boots&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=kCf&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=709&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=EhdWxk68wF3LMM:&imgrefurl=karenmillenoutletes.co.uk/blog/%3Fp%3D100&docid=vx1Zkk5KOXeQsM&imgurl=www.lady8844.com/h018/h73/img201111301507514.jpg&w=400&h=765&ei=Ss0OT4SHGs6eOuvWnP8C&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=595&vpy=281&dur=4187&hovh=311&hovw=162&tx=81&ty=165&sig=106104156411283779430&page=1&tbnh=162&tbnw=101&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here.

But to me Mum boots or mummy boots are the nondescript flat chunky sole just below knee length boots that are worn everywhere by seemingly everyone but don't suit many. Especially the ones with the 'tractor' soles - hard to see how to wear them well unless you are going for a goth look. They are practical but <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=fly+boots&num=10&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=709&tbm=isch&tbnid=U2gq9KQBX5SDCM:&imgrefurl=www.shoe-envy.co.uk/Fly_London_Boots_and_Fly_London_Shoes_Mol_Boots_Black_p175.html&docid=-AKCa5mTInvAgM&imgurl=www.shoe-envy.co.uk/images/uploads/Fly_London/fly-london-mol-in-black.jpg&w=450&h=450&ei=fM4OT-CTKpCWhQfR5PiEAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=530&vpy=176&dur=2928&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=107&ty=103&sig=106104156411283779430&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw=147&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">not much else.

In MN lingo at least I think mum boots are the footglove ones that Rue linked.

Looks like I'm guilty of mumboot number two but mumboot number one wouldn't be seem dead gracing my tootsies.

Ooooooh those beauties are everywhere!

Never owned a pair to date :)

Posh s boots are beautiful . I bet they were a few thousand . What rue linked to are mum boots .. We have a mum at school that dresses like that and the irony is she is tall so doesn't even need heels .

I am a lurker who is posting for the 1st time. I am thinking of getting these boots but am now worried that they are a bit like the dreaded mumboots!

www.selfridges.com/en/Accessories/Categories/Shoes-boots/Boots/Sweep-ankle-boots-tan_923-10004-2426033109/

Any thoughts?

The fact they're tan and have a jaunty angled zip saves them from being mumsie, gotno. I like them.

What you wear them with really makes a difference. It's the black mumboot paired with the pale/mid denim bootlegged jeans boots, an old fleece and crap hair that really completes the picture.

Team yours with tights and an above the knee jumper dress. Nice.

This whole mumboots thing really puzzles me. In fact, the 'mumsy' thing really puzzles me.

Aren't er, most of us, mums? Apologies to any lady desperately TTC. Surely, a tiny bit of 'mum'-ness is going to creep into our being. :) What is more, who cares?

No, the boots Rue linked to aren't the most 'directional' thing around but I think that a nicer quality leather pair would be fine under a pair of smart trousers for work. Not, 'you're looking good today' fine, but 'thank goodness I'm dressed and out of the house in fairly good form' fine.

I also find it rather hilarious that someone upthread is referring to the Fly boots as mumboots, as I have seen them worshipped regularly here on Style and Beauty.

I love those Fly London ones.

Yeah I don't get it either, BranchingOut. Is it bad to look like a "typical mom" or whatever - when you are one?

the boots Rue linked to aren't the most 'directional' thing..

You expressed the point so nicely BranchingOut :) Better be accused of 'not directional' than mumsy

Agree that the Ms Selfridge ones pass because they are tan and more featured. Like the Fly ones but they best suit young or older but funky.

I suppose I do see the ones RightUp posted as being a bit dated now cos they were v popular in the 90s but I'm in favour of people wearing what they're comfy in overall...

Fly or biker boots.

Traditional mumboots are so wack they're fly.

Mumsiness is neither a crime nor a moral failing. If you are happy to look in the mirror and think "Neat, clean, affordable, practical, won't frighten the horses, sorted!" then that is 100% fine. However, if you do wish your clothes to display some level style/fashion/glamour/sex appeal then mum boots are best avoided.

The boots Posh is wearing in that picture are "hot 70s mum" boots - quite different.

"so wack they're fly." ROFL!!!!

Depends what a "typical mum" looks like. In the past you might have said fleece, anorak, boot leg jeans, mum boot. Practical but a bit frumpy. Look usually worsened by not being something that suits someone slightly overweight. I don't think "thank goodness I'm out of the house and dressed" any more as my kids are 4 and up. Different with a v young baby.