Bootlegging...
Hello again and welcome to the “Monthly Fashion Update”. This month’s issue is about boots and did you know, pirates wore high boots to conceal stolen loot? Voilá … you have the term bootlegging!
Fortunately, these days we don’t have to wear tall boots to hide stolen goods, (that’s what big purses are for!). In reality, boots are great because they keep us warm, are stylish and are a definite necessity for any winter wardrobe.
So how do you determine what boots are right for you? First, you should figure out what you would like to wear them with and or what you wear the most. Black boots are usually the most versatile and can be worn with dress trousers, jeans or skirts (and even a pattern tight!).
A boot with a stiletto heel is very dressy and super sexy. A cone shaped heel gives you a little more support and is a bit more versatile because it’s not very trendy. A stacked heel is a bit thicker, but be careful not to go too chunky. Boots with a pointed toe help make you appear taller and continue the line of the leg. Rounded-toed boots are fun and feminine.
A boot with a heel helps add a little height and is a bit more feminine, however, flat boots, such as tall riding boots (very Ralph Lauren), are fabulous with tucked in slim-fitting jeans. Don’t fret…flat boots can also be worn with pants and skirts; it’s just a more casual look.
Boots are also a fun way to be trendy and an easy way to add color to an outfit. Try buying a pair with one or more of the following trends:
* Animal prints
* Luxe leathers (crocodile, lizard, snake, et cetera)
* Buckles
* Pleating or scrunching
* Or pick a pair in an unusual color (lime green, pink, red, purple) – I think all these colors would look fabulous with an all black outfit! Trés chic!
One Final Note: For those of you that have a problem fitting tall boots over your calves there are some solutions. First of all, many companies sell “extended calf” boots. Try J.Crew, Via Spiga (sold at Nordstrom), Eddie Bauer and Lamberston Truex. Boots with soft leather can be stretched, however, this usually weakens the leather and may leave it looking ridged. A cobbler can sometimes put in an elastic piece to help them fit correctly. Lastly, ankle boots are a wonderful alternative and are just as stylish, but are best worn with tights so they don’t chop off the line of the leg.
And as Mimi Pond once said,
“No matter if they are stiletto or flat-heeled, black, or pink, knee-high
or demi-ankle, boots instill you with a certain power.”