Bunny Boots: history of the boot

No shoe reflects and tells the story of the tastes of generations like the combat boot, from military discipline to subculture uprisings, traversing the canonical fashion capitals. Models like Timberland 6-inch boot, Balenciaga strike, Steroidor Prada monolith have recreated the look of military footwear on catwalks, but in the field of ‘big boots’ the real pioneer is the Extremely cold vapor barrier bootcommonly known as Rabbit boot or Mickey Mouse boot. Exhibited for the first time on the catwalk for FW14 by Raf Simons in association with Sterling ruby-both in their original form and as a adidas brand remake: ECVBs have resurfaced in top street style looks thanks to celebrities rediscovering the military aesthetic in recent times. In January the Daily email paparazzi Kanye West strolling down Melrose Avenue with wife Bianca Censori wearing a pair of Bunny Boots. A month later, Playboi Carti And Luka Sabbat were seen in Los Angeles where a music video was filmed that also featured Bunny and Mickey Mouse Boots.

The story of the rabbit boot

Bunny Boots were the first shoes for the US military designed to withstand the cold “I type” model devised during the Korean War. Called Mickey Mouse boots for their oversized aesthetic reminiscent of the feet of the beloved and enduring cartoon character. The original design focused on functionality: the trunk weighed 1.25 kg and was built to withstand the harshest temperatures, down to -28.9 °C (-20 °F). However, during the Battle of Chosin in November to December 1950, the rubber sole design caused sweat to freeze inside, contributing to the frostbite deaths of many soldiers on the battlefield. To remedy this, the Army had to rethink the design and… “Type II.” The new boot, mentioned later White bunny bootwas heavier than Type I (40 lb or 0.22 kg), but could protect soldiers from even more extreme cold – up to -65°F (-54°C). Designed with a vacuum-tight construction, the boot repels air and moisture, guaranteeing dry and warm feet even in the most extreme conditions. The oversized silhouette allows for thick socks or insulating layers pressure reduction valve ensures comfort during extended use. Additionally, many of the external graphic details, such as usage instructions and dimensions, have been preserved as design elements over time.

Fashion interpretation of the Bunny Boot

The boot, produced by Bata in 1985, is a good example of how military clothing transcends its original purpose and becomes fashionable. In addition to the signature shape that made the shoe a timeless icon, its technical details have inspired some of the industry’s most avant-garde designers, from Maria Grazia Chiuri Unpleasant Yoon ambushAnd Takahiro Miyashita. But it is Raf Simons who turned ECVBs into a street style phenomenon. The Raf Simons x adidas Ozweego collaboration appropriately embodies the designer’s ability to combine military heritage with a contemporary touch. Simons is not alone in this sartorial journey: Takahiro Miyashita, with its eponymous brand The Soloist, embarked on a quest to redefine luxury through the lens of military utility. For the 2019 season, he transformed US Army Bunnies into shoes that intertwine functionality and haute couture. His reinterpretation, made of luxurious white leather, retained the essence of the original boots (the graphic details, the decorative pressure relief valve) and gave them a new elegance and wearability even in sub-zero temperatures.

Yoon ambush, in collaboration with Converse, took a different approach by taking inspiration from the Bunny Boot. For her SS19, the designer expands the iconic silhouette of the Chuck 70, echoing that of military boots, creating an iteration that blurs the lines between form and function. In the field of haute couture, Combat boots ‘DIORCAMP 2022’ embraced the rubber texture and typography of the Bunny Boot and transformed them into a canvas for luxury branding: a fusion of workwear and couture. Long after the Korean War, the Bunny Boot finds space on the catwalk due to fashion’s fascination with the role of military functions and aesthetics. What was once a crucial boot for the US military is now a fashionable luxury item that international stars like Kanye show off on the streets of Los Angeles. Thanks to an oversized silhouette and timeless aesthetic, Bunny Boots are testament to the power of functional design in mainstream culture.