Let your boots boost your mood this winter
WhEN did you last fling open your wardrobe and reach for the slightly sparkly, dry- clean- only, needs- acamisole-underneath top?
Not in 2020, I think it’s safe to say. The fact is, our clothing requirements have shifted and our fun clothes-wearing opportunities have been whittled right down.
These days, a lot of what’s hanging in our wardrobes looks like it was bought for someone else’s life. (Perhaps the Duchess of Sussex has the same thought when she does a circuit of her walk-in wardrobe in LA: not hats a and lot of safari use for sheath those dresses pillbox any We’re more.) all looking for fashion that wear, fits versatile, this new flattering. life: easy to
Unless you’re talking about boots. I may have mentioned, once or twice, that I am mad about boots, but I’m sharing this information again because it seems to me that boots are the post-Covid joysparker we’re looking for.
I don’t just mean go-with-everything ankle boots, or sturdy slip- ons, or any of the many designs that have comfortably established themselves as easier and better all-rounders than other shoes.
I’m talking about the boots you don’t need but which nonetheless might turn out to be your smartest purchase this autumn because they have the I’m Still Standing factor.
THERE’S right in a pair the now, of madness scarlet but buying red there satin suede of purchasing of a is no one- rubbernecker a method boots. point dress off,
boots dress days, Not when only (even more will people in often you the were than good wear still the the old asked get of an only extra-special to a parties, couple of you dress), wears would but out they glamourfier will also — be the your thing one-step that turns trousers an into everyday Diana jumpsuit rigg gold. or will Apart be top from of that, the list these of boots items in your wardrobe most likely to make you smile, and change your mood from Appropriate Effort to I’ve Still Got It.
Don’t forget, you can be whoever you want to be from the knee down, no matter your age: minimum effort,
The most over-the-top boot maximum boot. impact. you might consider is the overthe-knee
The ones that strike the right tone — not too pantomime dame or cavalier — are Dune’s, which come in scarlet suede and a deep, dark purple (£220, dunelondon.com). You will require a reasonably long, decent pair of legs to carry off this style of boot.
Otherwise, they need to have a plain, solid heel — medium height or lower — to avoid any whiff of kinky boots. Try russell & Bromley’s version (£395, russellandbromley.co.uk).
There are square and pointed toes around, but if you want a boot you’ll wear for more than one season, a block heel and a round or almond toe is your best bet.
The more accessible sort of over-knee boot is tight to the leg, believe it or not. You can wear them under those flowy midi-dresses or skirts that are so easy to pull off — apart from ones with splits in the front or sides (the last thing we want) — and are more exciting with a pair of thigh boots.
These days, I wear my rixo dresses with over-the-knee black suedette boots from
Zara. For something similar, try Steve Madden’s over-theknee design ( now £ 73.49, zalando.co.uk) or Asos’s take (£110, asos.com).
The other way to go with the OTT boot is something in a wild texture, such as mock croc or snake.
Generally, I think a threequarter boot has a lot going for it at the moment: it’s long enough to perform under midi-dresses and short enough to work under trousers and not weigh you down.
Try Miista’s Carlota boot in snake (£290, miista.com), or a taller boot with slouch, such as its Finola boot in a burnt cream (£430). Zara does a midi-boot in tan animal print (£99.99, zara.com) or a slouchy, higher- heeled one in olive green suede (£95.99).
Essentiel Antwerp has glossy mock croc turquoise kneehighs (£330, essentiel-antwerp. com), admittedly quite full on, but the fashion crowd are all saving up for Gucci’s emerald green suede platform boots. Just don’t ask what they cost.
It’s these flashes of madness — the bright cord jacket, the fabulous giant scarf — that will get us through.