Rockettes rock the best boots for fall

Joanna Richardson and Margaret McPherson know something about boots. The Atlanta natives have spent the past five years high kicking with the Radio City Rockettes in every shoe imaginable, including boots, tap shoes and even reindeer paws.

After seeing a 2001 performance of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” at the Fox Theatre, Richardson said she found her calling.

“I knew I wanted to be onstage with those Rockettes,” she said during a recent visit to Atlanta.

Richardson, of Duluth, and McPherson, of Inman Park, met in New York while taking dance classes. Later, they would both become Rockettes, joining more than 3,000 women who have danced with the precision dance troupe since 1932.

With seven costumes in the show, the Rockettes are masters of the quick change.

During work hours, showstoppers like the 7½-minute tap routine “12 Days of Christmas” keep these ladies on their toes. Offstage, Richardson and McPherson are big advocates of style and comfort.

They enjoy shoe shopping in Atlanta’s small boutiques as well as the big department stores whenever they are in town, and both women said they are happy to see so many great boot styles to choose from this season.

Customers started buying boots a bit earlier this year, said Mara Maddox, a spokeswoman for Bloomingdale’s. Bloomie’s customers are reaching for flat riding boots or boots with short stacked heels, Maddox said. Other styles, including just over the knee boots reminiscent of “Barbarella” or “Pretty Woman” and biker styles with buckles, are also popular, she said. In-demand colors include gray, taupe and metallic.

Style asked the Rockettes to spend time at Bloomingdale’s in Lenox Square modeling the hottest boots of the season, which all somehow paired remarkably well with the Rockettes’ timeless red coats and white gloves.

“That’s how we roll!” Richardson said.