As the night wears on and the temperature drops, the only shoe that will save the day, rain or shine, is a pair of stylish knee-high bodupeots.
Knee-highs have been languishing in the style doldrums for many seasons while we all toiled away in our lug-soled booties, but now: joy! – are back.
And the possibilities are endless. Get the fit right and they’ll work under this season’s wide-leg jeans. They’re perfect for repurposing a shorter skirt for fall, but they’re also effortlessly chic peeking out from under a midi.
Boots will always cost you more than trainers, but luckily the high street is full of brilliant ‘dupes’ that cost a fraction of the price of a designer pair.
In fact, I think distinguishing between a cheap buy and a fancy buy is especially difficult this season. Can you guess which of these pairs costs the most?
BOOTS (LR): A and B. Left: jacket, £274 and skirt, £208, celiab.com; bracelet, £270 and ring, £180, thomassabo.com Right: coat, £249 and vest, £49, nobodyschild.com; skirt, £119, whistles. is; ring, £115, thomassabo.com
BOOTS (LR): C and D. Left: vest, £70, anthropology.com; skirt, £299, whistles.com; bag, £45.99, mango.com; bracelet, £350, monicavinader.com Right: jacket, £379 and shorts, £229, lkbennett.com; above, £99, whistles. is; bag, £219, radley.co.uk; watch, £149, oliviaburton.com
Well, Russell & Bromley’s Slick boots with a glossy finish are clearly superior and, at £495, they should be. But at the other end of the scale there are some fashionable offerings that can also take you from the office to dinner.
Tu’s pair at Sainsbury’s not only has the favorite pointed toe but, at £38, is also a highly preferred price.
When it comes to gold, tone is key. Here, the River Island pair (£66) is arguably the most wearable due to the soft, light-reflecting tone, while the Dune low-heeled boot (£200) is a deeper, almost bronze-like tone.
If over-the-knee boots still remind you of Honor Blackman and The Avengers, then it’s time to reevaluate.
This season’s cut will surprise you with its versatility and it is really not necessary to wear skirts that reach the thighs to show them off. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out Fendi or Chloe’s AW24 runways.
If that’s not enough to convince you that they’re not always irrevocably kinky, then the fact that M&S has a pair might just do it.
Their wide-cut black pair (£110) will flatter your legs, while their Insolia technology will allow you to wear them comfortably from day to night.
BOOTS (LR): E and F. Left: Dress, now £65, anthropology.com; bag, £49.99, zara.com Right: vest, £195 and top, £125, meandem.com; skirt, £110, monsoon. co.uk; ring, £180, thomassabo.com
BOOTS (LR): G and H. Left: Dress, £160, sezane.com; bag, £68, anthropology.com; watch, £287.99, orientwatch.co.uk Right: vest, £27.50, marksandspencer.com; shirt, £150, withnadaunderneath.com; culottes, £59.99, reserved.com; Grips, from £325, hotdiamonds.co.uk
A little dressier and cooler in style, the All Saints Reina slip-on boots come with a chunky block heel, but cost £349.
The Western trend isn’t going anywhere, and if we’re lucky enough to have rainless days, then it’s time to dig out the suede jeans.
Stradivarius has the perfect pair that looks much more expensive than its £79.99 tag. While Maje has a pair of embroidered boots for a stunning £679.
Of course, you may already have a pair of chestnut-brown knee-high socks in the back of your closet. It’s time to take them out and polish them up, and bonus points for a fashionable gift.