I need help for autumn with midi skirts and boots

[QuintessentialHedgehog]

Last autumn once it was too cold/wet for anything but boots I retreated into jeans, or shorter skirts with mid-calf boots. This year I would love to wear longer skirts but I can't work out how to style them for bad weather. I have a couple of pairs of Chelsea boots and can see what the problem is when I try to wear them with midi - on both my pairs the tops are elasticated so sit tight around the ankle and make my calves bulge out unflatteringly above them (I'm short, which doesn't help). Longer boots don't work, especially as all mine are chunky biker or country boot styles so look too clumpy.

I think what I want is some sort of magic ankle boot solution where the boot is smart casual (as in, I don't want a biker boot/Doc Marten/clumpy style this time) but fits slightly looser around the ankle. Smart lace-up boots maybe? Or maybe a slightly lower cut boot? Does anyone have any suggestions, or understand what I'm talking about? 😅

What I want:
plain, smart or smart casual ankle boots (probably black, but potentially open to other colours)
flat
great quality, leather, weatherproof (happy to pay for quality if they look exactly right)
look good with midi skirts, no bulgy calf effect

I totally get this.
You could try a boot with a dip at the front (google western style boots) and some will have the dip. this creates the illusion of longer slimmer ankles (on me at least)
If you try a lace up boot try and find one with soft raw edge leather around the ankle, it’s more forgiving as it has more give and moves with you as you walk thus banishing the bulge.
You can also look out for the rare Chelsea boot where there is more elastic and the panel of leather at the front is narrower than your ankle. It’s another illusion.
good luck