STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

blubirde · Chanel

Boot wearers - a question.

atlgirl · Gucci

I'd go for tall. Almost all my boots hit just below the knee. Boots that hit at mid-calf can make your calves look larger. And ankle boots make 99.9% of the population look very stumpy, IMO.

If you're just starting out with boots, try black boots w/black tights. That's the easiest way to get used to the idea, and the most mistake-free. Then you can branch out into browns, grays, or more colorful tights, or ribbed / patterend tights, if you dare. :)

IMO a knee-length skirt (pencil, a-line, whatever) is usually the best look for boots & tights. Depending on your proportions, you may be able to work a mini as well - wearing tights & boots makes it easier to wear a short skirt w/out feeling too exposed.

I am personally not a fan of a long skirt and boots - it can be done but it's a harder proportion to pull off. I like to leave a bit of skin (or tights) between the skirt hem and the top of the boot. The look can be too "heavy" if the skirt hem completely covers the boots.

Hope that helps some!

Hermes

to wear with skirts and dresses (if I tuck my pants in, I wear a hip concealing top or dress) - anyway with skirts or dresses, go with a knee high boot. ankle and mid-calf boots visually shorten the leg, so unless you have thin legs, stay away from ankle boots with a skirt. I personally wear mid-calf with similarly colored tights (so the contrast doesn't emphasize the "chop" of the midcalf line). A very simple way to start with boots is one pair of black, one pair of brown. Also decide if you want round or pointy toe. Pointy toe can have a lengthening effect, although it seems to be taking a back stage to round this year, pointy is certainly not "out."

nordstrom diva boot, $79.95

charles david $274.95

franco sarto $149.95

there are great sales at zappos right now - you should be able to find a nice leather pair for a good price by scouring the sale section every other day or so (on the zappos home page, select women's dress, then select boots, then sort by low to high price).

nana, was $153.95 now $39.95, distressed black leather