Earlier this September, we warned you to gear up for the style 'Keanusance.' In other words, with news that the Matrix franchise is adding a new film to its ranks, with the Matrix 4 heading into production for 2020, it seemed as though the fashion world had already taken note, putting leather trench coats, tiny, thin-framed sunglasses and all-black everything back into commission.
In reality, though, it's been another chicken and egg situation, because before we'd even heard a whisper of Keanu Reeves' reprisal of the role of Neo, we had Prada's AW19 collection, which previewed in February 2019.
Entitled the 'Anatomy of Romance', Miuccia Prada's show riffed on a particular theme - Boris Karloff's reimagination of Frankenstein’s monster. Following on from the reference in her Menswear and Pre-Fall lines, Prada showcased bolt-necked monster prints on many of the shirts and dresses. To complement the fictional monster, Prada wove in a more IRL monster - the threat of conflict that permeates the modern world - with belted trench coats, military blazers and stomping great combat boots.
And of everything to take to the runway in February, the combat boots were the thing to capture everyone's attention. Chunky, lug-soled, laced right up to the knee and, in many cases, with the addition of nylon pouches strapped to the outer calf - these kick-arse, take-no-prisoners Prada boots have become among the most covetable items for Autumn.
Arriving at this September's SS20 show in Milan, the street style set showcased the look perfectly:
Those who haven't managed to get their hands on Prada, have often turned to purveyors of the military boot, Dr. Martens.
Prada or no Prada, here is our 'Editor's Pick' of the best combat boots for Autumn 2019: