Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Tuesday Shoesday: Tips for Wearing Boots

It's that time of year again. The time when everyone else starts wearing boots. (Only my suede boots go into hibernation for a season and that's just so they don't get ruined by rain.)
 
My "new" favorite boots: a 1970s pair from Gloria Vanderbilt
 
This year the trend for boots seems to be anything goes.
 
I like a more put together look, so here are some guidelines I try to keep in mind when buying a pair of boots and selecting which pair of boots to wear with an outfit. (I have over eight pairs of boots; the latest are pictured at the top of this post.)
  • Let the shape of your skirt be your guide for the height of your boot:
    • With a full skirt, let the hem fall just over the top of the boot.
    • With a fitted skirt, such as a pencil skirt, have your hem stop a few inches above your boot (3 to 6 inches).
    • NOTE: Ankle boots can be worn with either full long skirts or hobble skirts.
  • With a maxi skirt, choose a boot with a platform heel or slouchy boots.
  • With a mini skirt, choose thigh highs with either a stiletto heel or flat sole. Pair with tights to cover your legs. If you're petite, choose tights in a color that matches the color of your boots to elongate your leg.
    NOTE: If you are tall and have slender legs, cropped leggings or shorter tights with ankle boots may work. Avoid if you're petite; this look creates a horizontal line that chops your height.
  • With pants, opt for ankle boots. Do not wear ankle boots with cropped pants.
  • With skinny pants, try slouchy boots for 70s vibe or tuck into tall boots.
  • For tall boots, select a pair that's fitted at the calf with less than half an inch of space between your leg and the boot.
  • If you're petite,
    • Choose a boot that either shows a lot of leg or no leg at all. Avoid over-the-knee boots.
    • Select an ankle boot with these features: pointed toe, peep toe, slender heel, heel height of 3" or more

 
Do you follow any of these "rules"?
 
Ciao Bella!
Eden
 
Credits: All layouts created by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life. Images in the first layout taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life. Boots in the second and third layouts courtesy of Nordstrom.
 
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