How to Wear Combat Boots with Bermuda Shorts: Kelly Rowland’s NYC Style Guide

On May 30, 2013, at the Best Buy Theater in New York City, Kelly Rowland delivered a high-energy performance that doubled as a masterclass in grounded stage dressing—proof that confident footwear choices matter just as much as the outfit itself.

Kelly Rowland exudes confidence and style during her dynamic performance at the Best Buy Theater in New York City on May 30, 2013, showcasing her toned figure in an edgy ensemble (Credit: PNP / WENN)

Rather than leaning into polished pop-star glamour, Rowland anchored her look with rugged intention.

A leather vest layered over a fitted tank and shredded denim Bermuda shorts created movement and edge, while her choice of leather combat boots provided visual weight, stability, and attitude beneath the performance-ready silhouette.

The result remains instructive years later: when the shoes are strong enough to carry contrast, even bold, skin-baring stage looks feel controlled, wearable, and timeless.

Kelly Rowland turns heads at a New York City concert with her punk-inspired look, featuring shredded Bermuda denim shorts, a leather vest, and a skin-tight tank top, perfectly paired with leather combat boots on May 30, 2013

Kelly Rowland’s shredded Bermuda shorts moment sits in a bigger style playbook: longer shorts work best when the footwear does the anchoring. For a polished, fashion-week-ready take, see how Camila Mendes pairs tailored Bermuda shorts with pointed-toe knee-high boots, or how Blake Lively elevates Bermuda shorts with statement Christian Louboutin heels.

If you want the most Rowland-adjacent energy—edge, attitude, and grounded steps—bookmark Teyana Taylor’s leather Bermuda shorts styled with Rick Owens boots.

And for an actual festival-era reference point, revisit Kendall Jenner’s denim Bermuda shorts with Saint Laurent ankle boots at Coachella—a reminder that the silhouette stays wearable when the shoes bring structure and intent.

Kelly owned this rocking look and the stage during her performance. Need proof? Check out her performance of the song “Where Have You Been” featuring The-Dream below:

Why Kelly Rowland’s Shoe Choices Continue to Hold Up

From stage-ready combat boots to red-carpet heels and off-duty staples, Kelly Rowland consistently treats footwear as the foundation of her style rather than an afterthought. Across performances, appearances, and everyday outings, her shoes provide balance, structure, and intent—proving that even bold or experimental looks succeed when they’re grounded from the ground up.

The moments below bring together some of her most defining shoe and fashion highlights, offering a quick reference for how she uses footwear to anchor everything from denim to eveningwear.