Heidi Klum’s travel style often leans into practical, grounded layers, as seen during her arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in November 2015.
Heidi Klum touches down at Los Angeles International Airport on November 27, 2015, shielding her eyes with aviators while leaning into off-duty winter layering (Credit: WENN)
Dressed for a cross-country flight, the German model opted for a classic off-duty uniform: faded, distressed jeans, a white knit sweater, and an olive green Moncler parka.
Heidi pauses to sign autographs at LAX, wrapped in an olive Moncler parka that balances warmth with a streamlined, travel-ready silhouette
While the layers kept her warm, the focus of the look was her choice of rugged footwear. She paired the ensemble with black sunglasses, a Louis Vuitton backpack, and black combat boots with contrasting white laces.
Stepping out with ease, Heidi pairs distressed black skinny jeans with sleek combat boots, anchoring her airport look in utilitarian polish
Heidi’s black boots are the Rag & Bone “Emil”—a now-discontinued silhouette that encapsulated the brand’s early “military-meets-New York” design code under founders Marcus Wainwright and David Neville.
Equal parts utilitarian and refined, the Emil became a cult favorite for its ability to translate rugged heritage into a sharply modern, city-ready boot.
The model keeps her look grounded and cohesive, letting the contrast-laced Rag & Bone “Emil” boots subtly punctuate her dark palette
Crafted in Italy from smooth calfskin leather, the design is anchored by a traditional Goodyear welt construction—a detail more often found in heritage work boots than in fashion styles—that allows the sole to be replaced over time, significantly extending the life of the shoe.
Its signature contrast comes from bright white topstitching and cotton laces set against the black upper, giving the boot a subtly hand-finished, almost graphic edge that instantly distinguishes it from standard monochrome combat styles.
A monogram Louis Vuitton backpack adds a luxe, functional finish as Heidi moves through the terminal in head-to-toe practicality
Function meets durability in the sole: a stacked leather heel paired with a Vibram® rubber lug outsole, prized for its grip and abrasion resistance, adds both traction and weight without sacrificing polish.
A mid-calf shaft (roughly 6–7 inches) and a modest 1.5-inch block heel keep the silhouette grounded, while reinforced metal eyelets and a rear pull tab add practical, everyday ease.
Klum’s airport styling underscores exactly why the Emil resonated. Unlike bulkier combat boots, its slightly narrower, almond-shaped toe keeps the profile sleek—ideal with skinny denim or leggings—while the high-contrast laces act as a built-in styling detail, breaking up darker layers without the need for bold accessories.
Framed by the parka’s fur-trimmed hood, Heidi’s neutral knit and layered outerwear create a soft counterpoint to her sharper accessories
Although no longer in active production, the Emil remains highly sought-after on the secondary market, where its durability and distinctive design continue to hold value.
A close-up reveals the Emil boots’ defining detail—crisp white laces against glossy black leather—bringing a graphic edge to the look
For those chasing the same DNA today, newer Rag & Bone styles at Nordstrom like the Shiloh or Cannon boots offer a more tonal, modern interpretation—sleeker, but without Emil’s signature contrast punch.
Contrast topstitching traces the Goodyear welt of a combat-style boot, mixing a rugged, utilitarian vibe with the luxe calfskin construction
Rag & Bone “Emil” boots in a classic combat style, crafted in sturdy leather and fastened with a lace-up closure
From the Emil to the Newbury, Rag & Bone Boots Have Long Defined Cool-Girl Off-Duty Style
Heidi Klum’s contrast-laced Emil boots are a perfect reminder of what made Rag & Bone’s footwear so enduring: rugged construction, city polish, and just enough attitude to make even the simplest outfit feel considered.
For more standout celebrity moments built around the brand’s cult-favorite boot silhouettes, explore these related Rag & Bone shoe and fashion stories from Your Next Shoes.
👢 Explore Rag & Bone Boot Moments on Your Next Shoes:
- 🖤 Why celebrities love Rag & Bone boots and denim, a reader-friendly brand spotlight on the label’s British-tailoring-meets-American-cool identity and the downtown appeal that made its boots fashion staples.
- 🇫🇷 Jessica Alba’s neutral Paris look in Rag & Bone “Newbury” booties shows how the brand’s signature ankle boot brought polish and ease to off-duty city dressing.
- ✨ Jessica Chastain styling the Rag & Bone “Newbury” in Paris offers another elegant take on the cult-favorite silhouette, this time in a denim-blue finish with a softer, more directional mood.
- 🍂 Isla Fisher’s go-to fall Rag & Bone “Newbury” boots capture the practical, everyday appeal that turned the style into a repeat-wear favorite.
- 🌆 Jennifer Garner’s off-duty look in Rag & Bone “Newbury” booties reflects the easy, unfussy styling that made the model a defining ankle boot of the early 2010s.
- 🎸 Dianna Agron in black Rag & Bone “Harrow” booties leans into the brand’s edgier side, pairing the sculptural ankle boots with a cooler, concert-ready attitude.
- ☕ Reese Witherspoon wearing Rag & Bone “Harrow” booties shows how the style’s western-leaning shape works beautifully in a clean, daytime outfit.
- 👗 Julianne Hough rescuing a denim dress with Rag & Bone boots is a great example of how the brand’s suede booties can sharpen a softer, more casual dress moment.
- ❤️ Taylor Swift in red Rag & Bone “Harrow” boots proves the same silhouette could shift from understated staple to statement shoe with one bold color change.
- ✈️ Cameron Diaz arriving at LAX in Rag & Bone boots brings the brand’s cool-girl ankle-boot energy into an easy travel look built around layers and comfort.
- 🌟 Sophia Bush’s errand-day outfit with Rag & Bone boots shows how the Newbury became a low-key celebrity staple for polished casual dressing in Los Angeles.
- 🖤 Hilary Duff’s Rag & Bone “Harrow” booties delivers another strong off-duty example of the brand’s knack for making ankle boots feel relaxed, cool, and city-ready.