A type of dress boot, wingtip boots combines the classic style of wingtip shoes with the traditional Western-shaped boot. This style of boots is made for both men and women and has even become popular for children to wear. Wingtip boots often feature detailed stitching.
What differentiates the wingtip boot design from those of other boots and shoes is the pointed toe cap, which falls in the center of the shoe. From the center, the cap extends out to either side of the shoe in a shape that is somewhat reminiscent of a pair of wings, for which the style was aptly named. This style originated as a men's shoes design. This feature is now seen not only in men's shoes, however, but in men's boots and is now found in women's and children's boots and shoes as well.
The wingtip, though now considered a dressy style, was first known to be a crafted shoe for country or outside work. Originally this design was not considered to be appropriate wear for events or important occasions or business transactions. The style has now evolved to largely be considered a more dressy one.
Cowboy boots or Western-styled boots were once simply a boot worn on the range to protect the feet and legs of the person wearing them. With the additional style of the wingtip shoe added to the boot, wingtip boots have now become iconic. Theses stylized creations are rarely worn as a boot pulled on when heading outside to do work, but instead have become highly fashionable footwear.
The wingtip shoe and the cowboy boot have evolved from work footwear to dress wear. As the two have come together in wingtip boots, the style has become popular. The styles for these type of boots differ from designer to designer.
Often the wingtip boot will feature leather in two hues. The multiple pieces that form the wingtip will often be worked in contrasting colors. The stitch work will be set in a thread that stands out against the leather. This contrasting stitching is very popular, even when leather is in only one tone.
The decorative perforations so common in the wingtip style also may take the form of a peek-a-boo look. This occurs when the leather evident under the perforation is a different color from the piece of leather on top of it. The wingtip boot is not only a popular boot, but it also can be a work of art in leather work and stitchery.