Spoiling new clothes by being incapable of being able to accesorise!

[jwbsgjones]

I have just started a new job and have bought some new clothes that I am very happy with - all dresses and skirts, knee length or just below. However I have no idea what tights/shoes/boots I can wear with them! At the moment I have worn knee length black boots and tights every day and getting a bit bored! Can I wear shoes - what sort of shoes?? And what sort of tights?? I am only 5ft 1 so don't think I can wear ankle boots and although my leg shape is fine, my legs are pale and pasty so I like tights that disguise them as much as possible! Any help would be appreciated - I am clueless!

Shoe boots? For ankle boots you could get Marant Dickers or a dupe of them as the v front would elongate your legs. Maybe mid calf biker boots depending on the dress code of the office and what sort of skirts/dresses you have chosen.

Hard to say what you could change re the tights without knowing what the dresses/skirts are like. I have mulberry and grey tights that I like for a change. Not keen on bright colours like mustard etc in tights but they do look good on the right person. Also you could wear woolly tights in different knits for a bit of variety. Wolford and Falke are nice brands and can often be picked up in tk Maxx.

I invested in a good black patent belt and a pair of black patent court shoes (from the same shop) and then a longish black necklace (v plain too) but feel it pulls together some of my work outfits. Been a handy back up when I feel I need to bring things together a bit!

Thank you guys - have attempted to post links to some of the things I have got!

www.next.co.uk/x5446s2#687019x54

www.next.co.uk/x549230s6#694932x54 Also have this in plain black

www.next.co.uk/x548218s4

www.next.co.uk/x542086s1#681546x54

It is working in a school so needs to be flatish. Can I wear ankle boots even tho I am small? Will it make me look even shorter?

I think it depends on how slim your legs are so if you are a size 8 it will look fine but maybe less so if you have chunky legs. The first skirt comes up nicely with the boots the model is wearing but not sure the look would be as successful with flat ankle boots. What's your maximum heel tolerance?! I do think that skirt would look best with black opaques like you are already wearing tbh.

Some of the stuff on the next site is annoyingly badly photographed. It's clearly stuff people are going to wear through the winter so showing it with bare legs and cutting off the models feet doesn't help. I often google to see how people style/wear stuff i have bought but not sure if this will work for Next.

Grey dress looks good for school but can't imagine what weather would drive wearing it with puffa parka thing and bare legs simultaneously! Bit of a mumsy suggestion but if you wearing it with a jacket or cardigan could you co-ordinate tights to jacket eg wear with navy jacket and tights.

Perhaps you could wear the skirt you have in two colour ways with some kitten wedges - something like lk Bennett perla? ( suspect next will do a cheaper version of these.) I wear them to work and they are fine to be on your feet in for a good while.

The wrap dress I think could be styled with biker boots and look good. If you are brave you could wear cream woolly tights maybe?

I am a teacher. I usually wear low-heeled Mary-Janes.

jwbsgjones, I have exactly the same black Next skirt, love it.
I wear it with these shoes and black tights.

I hear your concern about ankle boots making your legs look shorter, but if you wear black boots with black tights, then you legs still look long.

This is an example of an actual outfit with Next pleated skirt and boots: www.commonsensefashion.com/blog/autumn-in-a-city-fall-outfit

I'm 5ft and size 6 and wear ankle boots with dresses and skirts. I find the most flattering are my Ash jalouse boots which do have the 'v' shape. I also have some tan ones from Moda in Pelle that are cut between a shoe boot and an ankle boot. I am debating some biker boots from Clarks. Like you, I worried whether or not I could pull them off. Tried a couple of pairs in store - one was a chunky ankle boot and the other was calf length on me. I think they looked fine.
As well as black tights, try navy or berry.
I also add variation to outfits with belts, jewellery and scarves.

thanks guys