Moon Boot

Moon Boot began in 1969, when Italian bootmaker Giancarlo Zanatta sat in front of the television and watched the Apollo 11 moon landing, then sketched an apres-ski boot around the astronauts' bulky, padded footwear. His family already ran a work-boot business in Italy, and by 1970 that sketch had become a real product, roomy and unlike any alpine shoe on the market. The shape has held up remarkably well: the Luna shell snow boots keep the same rounded, oversized silhouette that made the original stand out from across a crowded chalet. The Luna Low suede boots bring that shape closer to the ground, a lower profile for anyone easing into the look. I think of the whole line as outerwear for the feet, built to be noticed rather than to blend in.

Moon Boot only works if you accept the volume instead of trying to style around it, since nothing about this silhouette apologizes for taking up space. The shell and shearling versions handle real snow and cold best, while suede is closer to a normal boot and easier to wear on dry, cold days. The plusher, dressier finishes ask for more commitment: a plain coat and a quiet palette everywhere else let the boot stay the one loud decision in an outfit. I would start with a low or shell style before trying a mule, since the classic silhouette explains the appeal faster than a variation on it. Buy this because the shape amuses you, not because it is having a moment again, and treat the rest of the outfit as backup singers. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Burgundy boots and Boot Envy.