For many shoe-lovers, boots are more than just a type of footwear, often worn to support or warm your ankles and calves: they are an indispensable component of a truly stylish wardrobe, and they're crucial to making or breaking a particular fashion outfit. Boots were originally designed as durable work shoes for labourers - the same way in which denim material was originally devised to be worn by factory workers. And as jeans have become a staple fashion item in nearly every global wardrobe, boots are not far behind.

While work boots are still common, fashion boots can be found in every type of colour and shape. Many boots are still designed to be functional; for example, gumboots are often worn by anglers and fishermen because they prevent the entry of water and can be found in a variety of different lengths, such as thigh-length "waders". Many other boots are designed to be specifically sturdy so that they'll protect in outdoor or industrial settings; these include hiking boots, or boots that are designed to protect chemical plant workers from spills or radiation exposure.

However, the range of fashion boots found today far exceeds the number of functional boots. Every year, new boot trends emerge: in recent years, such trends have included cowboy boots, knee length boots with spiked heels and pointed toes, and ankle-length "booties". Such boots are often associated with "boot-fetishism", an emerging trend closely linked to "shoe fetishism"; boot fetishism cultures an image of sexual appeal around particular types of boots made with leather or latex.

While many believe this culture of boot fetishism is a recent phenomenon, it actually has its roots in the 1960s, with the development and proliferation of Go-Go boots. Go-Go boots, a white, low-heeled boot that rises a bit above the ankles, are said to have been designed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Courr%C3%A8ges">André Courrèges</a> specifically for the purpose of dancing. Soon, they became a common symbol of female empowerment, and were worn by Nancy Sinatra on the cover of her album 'Boots: Nancy Sinatra's All-Time Hits'.

But amidst these fashion trends, one pair has remained above them all: black leather Doc Martens are still seen as a staple lace-up boot which was first adopted by skinheads and punks in the 1970s and 1980s; however, they have filtered into mainstream fashion and are now worn by women and men alike. These types of 'masculine' boots have had an enduring appeal to both sexes, and many brands are producing similar styles for wider appeal. <a href="http://www.schuhstore.co.uk/champion_frameset.asp?brand=NEW%20ROCK">New Rock boots</a>, for instance, have an obvious biker-influence, and are designed to appeal primarily to rock music and heavy metal fans. The concentration of buckle-features and heavy detailing on New Rock styles perhaps indicates another direction in which future boot styles may lead; after all, history has already shown us that the possibility for developments in the boot styling industry are endless.