Open Thread: This Week in Style News

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Each week, the Open Thread newsletter will offer a look from across The New York Times at the forces that shape the dress codes we share, with Vanessa Friedman as your personal shopper. The latest newsletter appears here. To receive it in your inbox, register here.

Happy Friday — or perhaps I should say, Happy Star Wars Day. If you think this phenomenon will not affect your closet, you are sadly mistaken.

Into the cultural consciousness it goes, and out in the form of clothing it comes! It’s like the fashion equivalent of fan fiction.

It was clear none of us were going to be able to escape the Star Wars effect when Louise Linton, a.k.a. Mrs. Stephen Mnuchin, wore a black leather skirt and long black leather gloves when she accompanied her husband to see his new dollar bills, and the internet kept seeing Kylo Ren in her stead.

What’s interesting about this particular stream of stuff, though, is that it is less literal than wearable. Seriously.

Special collections hit stores earlier this month, and many have sold out already. Of the 22 very cool pieces in the Rag & Bone limited edition Star Wars line that went live last week (sneakers, ribbed sweaters), only the high-heeled Force ankle boots are not yet sold out.

Outerwear brand Columbia’s three Echo Base on-theme Jedi-inspired jackets — the Leia Organa, the Luke Skywalker and the Han Solo — are also sold out online, but available in some actual stores. (I know: bricks and mortar! So not sci-fi. But needs must.)

And then there’s the ASOS intergalactic set of graphic T-shirts, minidresses and athleisurewear. They even have a Chewbacca robe.

Anyway, if you’ve already missed the purchase moment, the way I have missed the ticket pre-ordering moment, you could always do like Daisy Ridley, a.k.a. Rey, who wore a one-shouldered black Calvin Klein dress in an oily nylon for the European premier in London, and opt for an “in the spirit of” style. At the very least, gird yourself for lots of sand shades come February’s fashion week.

Forget ecru, it’s all going to be about Jakku next season.

Before we get there, however, take some time out to read about the 12 fashion items that defined us in 2017; the return of Supermodelmania (What’s that all about?); and why blue might be the fastest color. It’s one way to while away the time, anyway, while you’re standing in line at the multiplex.

Your Style Questions, Answered

Every week on Open Thread, Vanessa will answer a reader’s fashion-related question, which you can send to her anytime via email or Twitter. Questions are edited and condensed.

Q: I’m confused. There are booties and boots and which are which? There are boots that are flat and short, or to the calf, or to the knee, or way higher. When do you wear what? Do they rise with the skirt, or do they lower with the skirt? And what about pants? Do boots and their heels go flat with pants or high heeled with shorts? And then there are boots without toes, or heels (open in the back) or open on top or laced or with lace. And I haven’t mentioned Western-styled boots and heels. Are there any rules? – Elizabeth, Pasadena, Calif.

A: I could probably write a whole treatise about boots, which are my favorite form of footwear in winter thanks to the fact they: 1) keep my foot secure while still adding height; and 2) allow me to wear comfy hiking socks and thus keep my feet warm. But in the interests of brevity, a few tips (not rules; I think those went out with the “no white after labor day” dictate):

1. Booties is just the cutesy synonym for ankle boots.

2. I tend to think knee-high boots go best with skirts that hit just above the knee. Thigh-highs are good with minis, and ankle boots with – well, pretty much everything. Visually, a slice of skin between a hem and a boot top is leg lengthening, whatever the heel height. 3. Contrast is also a good strategy to keep in mind: Floaty dresses go well with chunky boots. Any kind of peekaboo boot is probably better for party time than day time. Though flat gladiator boots also work well with bare legs in the summer. 4. Long, flared trousers pretty much demand a heeled boot. But leggings and jeans can go flat or stacked or stiletto. Personally, I would stay away from shorts and boots entirely. 5. For a great jeans ‘n’ boots model who is also a working adult, look to Emmanuelle Alt, the editor of French Vogue. — VANESSA FRIEDMAN