A boot question - please stop this old mutton think she looks like minted lamb

[moonshine]

I have just bought a new dress for work - it's smartish but not too formal, subtle pattern of purples/grey, fitted bodice-style and slightly flaring skirt bit which ends at just above my calves.

I've got some lovely knee-length suede boots which would be perfect, but as I've put on weight they are just slightly too tight on my calves . I have some old but classic ankle boots though (plain black leather with zip and 2/3 inch chunky heel).

I am chunky too but vaguely shapely (or deluding myself). But as I am 41 is wearing the boots with said dress a complete no-no? Please help me - I have lost my fashion way (well I lost it about 6 years ago when I had dd1 but now I am in an office I feel I ought to make a bit of an effort).

Tia - I am desperately trying to get dcs to bed so will check thread later.

Well I'm definitely not a style-type person but I don't see why not. Depends on the gap between the end of the dress and the beginning of the boot - I suppose knee length would be better (could be the perfect excuse to buy a new pair?!), but what the hell - wear your ankle boots with pride!

nononononono! Ankle boots do not go with dresses ..

Ankle dress and boots.

That is just style suicide.

Please don't.

Ankle boots and dress

you see - I told you I don't know anything..! Yes, I agree that knee length boots would look better. I think if I didn't have knee length boots, I'd still to very flat shoes instead. So much easier in the summer when you can wear sandals. sigh.

Ah Dotty, you and me both but I am a child of the 80s (I think that's the last time I did do the ankle boots/dress combo when it was 'goth cool').

Ok, it's what I suspected, it just means that I will have to a) really get my arse into gear and shift some more weight double-quick or b)buy and wear some heels .

Thanks all.

Definitely not ankle-boots with the dress you describe. Back to your suede boots: my ex-boss (very stylish woman, late 50's) told me that she always went ahead and bought (leather) knee-high boots in her usual size knowing they wouldn't necessarily zip all the way up until they had worn in a bit. So, perhaps you could re-wear your old boots around the house for a few days! Beauty through torture!

Thanks Walnutshell - have had a 'Carpe Diem' day and have bought some knee-length leather riding boots that fit (tried them on on the off-chance even though they were labelled as a size smaller than I usually wear but discovered they were put on the wrong boot 'hangar' - surely this is fate??). And now I am having a glass of wine in preparation for telling dh that paying off our debts may take longer than anticipated...

Excellent. It's all in the telling. My Mil always tells my Pil how much she has 'saved' them in money rather than how much she has spent. For example, "I nearly bought these boots for £250 but then found this bargain pair for only £99!" I don't know why she bothers, he doesn't bat an eyelid anyway!

Good boots do last a few winters too.