How do I style ankle boots? (Level of difficulty: chicken ankles)
May 6, 2013 8:42 AM Subscribe
I need a new pair of women's winter boots. (Upcoming Australian winter: i.e., quite temperate. Fur lining is definitely not required.) I like brown or tan leather uppers (not black, no synthetics), a low heel (I'm nearly 6'), and reasonable quality construction. I'm prepared to pay up to $250. However, my ankles are giving me pause.
I have long legs, long narrow feet, and super-skinny ankles. Are ankle boots going to make me look as if my ankles are about to snap? I've avoided the issue by wearing calf-length boots for the past few winters, but they need replacing and ankle boots seem more on-trend.
Most importantly, if I'm trying to make skinny ankles look proportionate, should I go for boots that are more slouchy/open around the ankle, or more fitted (with buckles or zips to draw them in)? Can I wear them with dresses, both maxi and knee-length (both of which I wear a lot), or only with jeans and leggings?
More stylish people than I, please help! I'm looking for general style tips here, but specific recommendations for boots are also very welcome (as long as they can be purchased online and shipped to Aus). Thanks!
I have long legs, long narrow feet, and super-skinny ankles. Are ankle boots going to make me look as if my ankles are about to snap? I've avoided the issue by wearing calf-length boots for the past few winters, but they need replacing and ankle boots seem more on-trend.
Most importantly, if I'm trying to make skinny ankles look proportionate, should I go for boots that are more slouchy/open around the ankle, or more fitted (with buckles or zips to draw them in)? Can I wear them with dresses, both maxi and knee-length (both of which I wear a lot), or only with jeans and leggings?
More stylish people than I, please help! I'm looking for general style tips here, but specific recommendations for boots are also very welcome (as long as they can be purchased online and shipped to Aus). Thanks!
Best answer: I would suggest fitted rather than slouchy boots because the fitted ones will have laces or a zipper to give you a snugger fit around your ankle but the slouchy ones are usually pull-on and have a wide opening (that might highlight the difference between the width of the shoe and your ankles).
Ankle boots look great with dresses and skirts! As the owner of too many ankle boots for my own good, I think they're one of the most versatiles shoes out there. Especially in the fall with tights, socks, socks over tights, or socks over leggings.
Examples of socks + ankle boots and skirts + ankle boots: 1 2 3 4 5
The socks can fill in any extra space you might have between the shoe and your leg and its a combination that can be adapted to a lot of looks/weathers/wearers. Wearing socks also serves as a visual good transition between the breeziness of bare legs and the more substantial leather of the boot.
Here are some preliminary ideas, knowing what style you like would narrow down your search a bit:
Chelsea boot
Westernish boot
Equestrian boot
Clog boot
Combat boots
Buckled and strapped boots
Good luck!
posted by erstwhile ungulate at 9:57 AM on May 6, 2013
Ankle boots look great with dresses and skirts! As the owner of too many ankle boots for my own good, I think they're one of the most versatiles shoes out there. Especially in the fall with tights, socks, socks over tights, or socks over leggings.
Examples of socks + ankle boots and skirts + ankle boots: 1 2 3 4 5
The socks can fill in any extra space you might have between the shoe and your leg and its a combination that can be adapted to a lot of looks/weathers/wearers. Wearing socks also serves as a visual good transition between the breeziness of bare legs and the more substantial leather of the boot.
Here are some preliminary ideas, knowing what style you like would narrow down your search a bit:
Chelsea boot
Westernish boot
Equestrian boot
Clog boot
Combat boots
Buckled and strapped boots
Good luck!
posted by erstwhile ungulate at 9:57 AM on May 6, 2013
I agree with erstwhile ungulate that you want a slightly more fitted boot. I have these and wear them basically every day, though you might want a slightly lower heel (which I think looks better with maxi skirts anyway).
If you want more inspiration/confirmation that you can wear ankle boots with knee length and maxi skirts, pinterest is, as always, your friend. Check out: 1, 2, 3, 4. They can be a smidge stumpifying with knee length skirts, but here are a few examples of how to rock it: 1, 2, 3.
posted by LeeLanded at 10:12 AM on May 6, 2013
If you want more inspiration/confirmation that you can wear ankle boots with knee length and maxi skirts, pinterest is, as always, your friend. Check out: 1, 2, 3, 4. They can be a smidge stumpifying with knee length skirts, but here are a few examples of how to rock it: 1, 2, 3.
posted by LeeLanded at 10:12 AM on May 6, 2013
Yep, thirding the formerly hoofed MeFite. (erstwhile ungulate)
As for specific brand recommendations, as a fellow tall woman (only an inch shorter than you) and in a similarly-wintered climate here on the French Riviera, I definitely recommend Rieker ankle boots. They make reasonable heels and are really comfortable to walk in, plus they have some great fitted styles. I practically lived in my two pairs of fitted Rieker ankle boots this last winter. They should be available online and for Oz, Rieker is a relatively well-known brand.
posted by fraula at 10:45 AM on May 6, 2013
As for specific brand recommendations, as a fellow tall woman (only an inch shorter than you) and in a similarly-wintered climate here on the French Riviera, I definitely recommend Rieker ankle boots. They make reasonable heels and are really comfortable to walk in, plus they have some great fitted styles. I practically lived in my two pairs of fitted Rieker ankle boots this last winter. They should be available online and for Oz, Rieker is a relatively well-known brand.
posted by fraula at 10:45 AM on May 6, 2013
I have the same body type & I wear ankle boots all the time - try with slightly cropped slim trousers or cuffed jeans. If there's a little bit of a gap between hem of the jeans/trousers and the boot, no problem as long as it looks proportionate (shouldn't be a huge gap - don't wear with capri style - the bottoms should hit at the ankle as well). Or wear with a skirt (not a full length - has to be knee length or shorter) and maybe dark tights. I think the challenge here is, if you're wearing with a knee length dress, don't wear tights, and get a pair of boots in a shade that's somewhat close to your skin tone, so it's an evenish line and doesn't look stocky. I wear them with black tights and skirts but you'd have to have black boots for that. But if you find they do look stocky with skirts, there's nothing wrong with continuing to wear taller boots - wear what suits you!
The pricey versions of this would be Acne's Pistol boot, Isabel Marant Dicker boots, ankle boots from A.P.C., or a couple of styles from Hope (Swedish label), Rachel Comey Penpal or Mars boots - if you find the way any of these are styled online, that would be helpful I bet.
posted by citron at 2:58 PM on May 6, 2013
The pricey versions of this would be Acne's Pistol boot, Isabel Marant Dicker boots, ankle boots from A.P.C., or a couple of styles from Hope (Swedish label), Rachel Comey Penpal or Mars boots - if you find the way any of these are styled online, that would be helpful I bet.
posted by citron at 2:58 PM on May 6, 2013
Angies advice is handy:
Wearing booties with skirts and dresses
Booties with dresses yay or nay
Footwear for midi length skirts and dresses
The advice to go for a tone that isnt too far from your leg colour is good, I bought a pair of light tan booties a while back that I worried about styling but they go with pretty much everything. I've worn the hell out of them since.
posted by Ness at 2:29 AM on May 7, 2013
Wearing booties with skirts and dresses
Booties with dresses yay or nay
Footwear for midi length skirts and dresses
The advice to go for a tone that isnt too far from your leg colour is good, I bought a pair of light tan booties a while back that I worried about styling but they go with pretty much everything. I've worn the hell out of them since.
posted by Ness at 2:29 AM on May 7, 2013
Response by poster: Wow, thanks so much for all the answers and great advice!
Erstwhile ungulate, those Swedish Hasbeen clog boots are to die for! Not sure about the wooden sole, though. But the general look is exactly what I'm after. I also love the strapped/buckled boots from Piperlime that you linked.
EmilyFlew, those Madewell boots are exactly what I'm looking for, only with a smaller heel. I guess the wide-ish top does make me wonder, though...it doesn't leave a gap around the ankle that accentuates the scrawniness?
Lots here to think about, both specific brands and styling tips. Thanks again, much appreciated! :)
posted by Salamander at 8:03 PM on May 8, 2013
Erstwhile ungulate, those Swedish Hasbeen clog boots are to die for! Not sure about the wooden sole, though. But the general look is exactly what I'm after. I also love the strapped/buckled boots from Piperlime that you linked.
EmilyFlew, those Madewell boots are exactly what I'm looking for, only with a smaller heel. I guess the wide-ish top does make me wonder, though...it doesn't leave a gap around the ankle that accentuates the scrawniness?
Lots here to think about, both specific brands and styling tips. Thanks again, much appreciated! :)
posted by Salamander at 8:03 PM on May 8, 2013
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posted by ellieBOA at 9:08 AM on May 6, 2013