The right boot can complete any outfit – here’s what to look for
If you bought a fabulous pair of boots last winter, before the onset of the COLC (cost of living crisis), lucky you – you’re the fashion equivalent of the person who locked in a great fixed-rate mortgage for the next five years just before interest rates went up.
The rest of us have a problem. This is the time of year when we might normally buy a few new wardrobe additions. The high street depends on it. Our wardrobes depend on it. That injection of newness is what puts the spring in our step during the bleakest months of the year.
Instead many of us will be weighing up whether we can justify any new purchases at all – and if we can, which items will deliver the best value for money. So allow me to make the case for a pair of boots, which, as the kind of thing you may wear every day, could be the hardest working item in any wardrobe. The perfect pair has the potential to make everything else you own look more current.
This all hangs on finding the right ones, which will depend upon your lifestyle and existing wardrobe. Perhaps you walk a lot and need a pair that’s both tasteful and comfortable. Or maybe you’re in pursuit of the perfect knee-high to team with midi dresses.
If you’re concerned that your chosen pair will date within months, don’t worry – you don’t have to be a fashion victim to embrace what’s in style. The wonderful thing about boots is that, before everything else, they must be practical, and so trends tend to move more slowly. The hiker and biker styles that have proliferated over the past few years are going nowhere. Likewise, you’ll return to a knee-high in a neutral hue year after year – the 1970s-inspired stacked-heel versions which have surfaced this season are particularly appealing.
This season has also welcomed the return of the cowboy boot, which looks wonderful with dresses. A more classic boot with a Cuban heel is a subtle nod to the look, while a knee-high shaft will be more flattering than one that hits mid-calf.
Whatever your preference, you need to feel good wearing them. You’ll have hit the jackpot if you find a pair as comfortable as your favourite trainers. Obviously no boot with a heel is going to achieve that, but wearing them should be a pleasure not a chore.
Of course, nothing is more chic – or sustainable – than vintage, and a rummage through the neglected pairs at the back of your wardrobe could elicit some gems. Trends are cyclical, after all. You could get a tired pair of pointed kitten heel ankle boots from Topshop circa 2001 resoled, scuffed heels repaired and leather polished, all for little more than £20.
Then, when the inevitable compliments flood in, you can respond with that age-old humblebrag: “Oh, these old things?”
If you like to walk a lot… try the hiker biker
Suede buckle, £225, Bobbies; Leather chelsea boots, £345, Ganni; Leather lace up, £185, Whistles
A stompy, flat ankle boot, the defining feature of which is a bold track sole. Choose between a biker or lace-up hiker inspired pair, although minimalists may prefer the pared back look of a Chelsea boot.
How do I wear it?
With slim-fitting jeans like Jenna Coleman (above) or soft tapered ankle-length trousers. Alternatively, try them with printed midi skirts and dresses - this kind of boot toughens them up a little, making for a more youthful look overall.
If you wear a lot of dresses… try 1970s stacked heels
Leather boots, £395,Russell & Bromley; Suede block heel, £65, Marks & Spencer; Suede boots, £339, Penelope Chilvers
This is a heel comprised of several layers of wood or leather for a striped effect. Reminiscent of the 1970s they make for a smart, everyday look.
How do I wear it?
Knee-high iterations are perfect for wearing with dresses which fall below the knee, while ankle-highs will work well with flared or bootcut denim.
If you have wider calves… try knee highs
Suede boots, £195, Duo Boots; Leather boots with buckle, £259, Hobbs; Sporting fit leather boots, £450, Fairfax & Favour
The fit of most knee-high boots are so prohibitively narrow for many women, the “wider calf” category should really be redubbed “normal”. There are a handful of retailers that serve this demand brilliantly though – and this season’s crop of stretch knee-highs are joyfully democratic.
How do I wear it?
These look really elegant with a midi dress and a sleek longline wool coat. They’d also look great over a pair of skinny jeans, which could be styled with an oversized knit and blazer for an easy go-to autumn look.
If you need to look smart… try pointy boots
Snake effect, £359, LK Bennett ; Suede and leather, £139, Phase Eight; Leather, £229, Massimo Dutti
This is a modern classic and, if you’re regularly required to look smart, a winter wardrobe essential. The pointed toe is the key detail, and black is the most versatile colour, even if you don’t wear much of the hue otherwise, as it’ll work better with black tights and make for an easier day-to-night transition.
How do I wear it?
Peeking out from the hem of tailored trousers, especially a wide-legged pair. Sock-style iterations also look fabulous with an ankle-length skirt.
