Am I going to look like I was styled by trinny and susannah?

[greatape]

I am trying to fight a lifetime of buying cheap and saving up for good quality items which will last. Shoes are an area of trouble for me. I am thinking about investing a pair of suede black block heeled boots. Super plain, to wear with midi dresses when I need to look a little bit smarter.

For reference I am late 40s, short and plump. Not fashion forward at all with a tendency to look a real mess. The idea of the wardrobe staples is to look more pulled together without having to think too hard.

Is this too early '00s or perennial standard. The heel would be a couple of inches max as it's all my dodgy knee can cope with.

No, they sound great!

Sounds fine. I only wear flats but crack on OP

Boots are life! It's impossible to look like a mess with boots on IMO.

You sound a bit down on yourself. Work on that x

I love ankle boots, suede ones are my favourites and you can't go wrong with a block heel. Ankle boots and dresses is my favourite look. I'm early 40s, not a fashion guru but I like to look the best I can. 😊

Why suede particularly? The only suede boots I have are from Jones the Bootmaker which I found new in a charity shop. With the best will in the world after a year or two they’re looking the worse for wear. My leather boots haven’t aged in the same way. ( I use polish and get them reheeled as necessary ) Otherwise I think black block heeled boots sound like a good investment. I personally favour the ones with a straight shaft rather than tapered at the ankles - I think that’s the style feature that would make you look dated. I’ve recently bought these red knee boots which I hope will last me a long time

Suede is impractical!

Oh you don’t say long boots sorry….. I have tons of ankle boots if that’s what you mean.

Suede boots are nice but you have to really look after them. Maybe suede accents? John Lewis have lovely shoes in my opinion

You can knock Trinny & Susannah OP but they had a lot of good advice about dressing for your body shape I think.

For your shape as you describe it I would say good quality wrap style dresses with a v-neck might be good and a black block-heeled suede boot is never going to look naff - it's a good staple.
I've attached a couple of images of the style I mean - one is a DVF which are pretty pricey but you can get them for a snip on eBay etc.

Would you suit that style do you think? They are easy to style up or down and best of all you throw them on and your dressed and it's impossible to look scruffy in them.

And I agree with pp's, don't be so hard on yourself!

If you are looking for longevity then I wouldn't go for suede. But the style of boot sounds great.

Don't let the suede-naysayers put you off...

I LOVE the look of suede and it actually lasts ages but it does requires various amounts of maintenance depending on style.

Patches that look like they've gone bald actually just need a vigorous scrub with a metal suede brush to revive the nap.

If parts of your black suede start to grey, you can spray them with colour reviver. Quick and easy way for them to look like new again.

A suede boot with a non-suede heel would be a good/sensible compromise and need less maintenance

I cleaned some suede sandals with white vinager. It worked for me.

I like suede and have quite a few pairs of shoes and boots. I only wear them when when the weather is dry, so they don't get tatty.

Are you sure re black?

I love suede boots, I think it looks softer.

Ohhh thank you! Hadn't seen these replies.

I meant a knee boot rather than ankle - ankle is fine if it's a dm type boot but I have little definition between ankle and leg then short legs so they cut me off dreadfully (not being down I promise!).

To the non suede crew has my dh got to you? He said the same but like someone said, suede is softer and I've always liked it. I think these will be occasional rather than frequent- office days or out for lunch days rather than daily so I sort of want to have a look. I do want black because I have tan flat leather boots so this would be a contrast.

And thank you to those who say be kinder to myself - this is my 2022 ambition. Getting good quality stuff that makes me feel happy is part of that. I'm worth the investment.

Oh and I do love T&S! As someone said they did have good tips for shape!

Do have a look on eBay or similar for gorgeous but pre loved items too. I’ve bought a really lovely pair of suede knee length boots recently, not block heel but a low to mid heel. Timeless, goes with jeans and midi dresses, and comfy.

What about something like these?

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-sadie-suede-knee-high-boots/black/p5099323?sku=238641680&size=3&s_ppc=2dx92700057674568813&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAiA_omPBhBBEiwAcg7smYSJq9AB-QRAqOBSgR8m2_yX7Kvo-SpvxefSNOJYEq9YyWOfC3oSDBoCtAAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

NB. The back panel is actually elastic which you may or may not like/find useful. You can see it better on pictures of the brown version.

Hope you fond something you love ! And here's to being kinder to ourselves!!

Oh I also found some from John Lewis. These are a collaboration with Erica Davies and have wider calf widths in case that’s an issue ( it is sometimes for me)

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-erica-davies-viola-suede-long-boots-black/p5706634

I find that driving in suede heeled shoes really damages them. Suede with leather heels would be better.

OP what about something like this? They're expensive but if they have your size in stock these are 40% off at the moment. I've worn them for years - they're comfortable and last well.

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/stuart-weitzman/boots/mid-heel-boots/neoprene-and-suede-knee-boots/10879246230838754?gbraid=0AAAAADRhcD21bRL8uW8fu0dFqMd-U5Icu&gbraid=0AAAAADRhcD21bRL8uW8fu0dFqMd-U5Icu&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoY-PBhCNARIsABcz772piV1G-TggoCvpQR8GTFVtRyega71_so7QmSxQlMwDbW-LiZA6wHQaAq_aEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds