I bought these boots...but now don't know how to wear them!

[chalkyc2]

I've been in love with them for about 2 years. They arrived this week. They're beautiful. And comfortable.

airandgracelondon.com/products/starlight-black-leather-ankle-boots

But....what do I wear them with?!? I see them with tights and skirts and dresses. But trousers...I like mom jeans and tapered but socks/no socks?? Hmm!!

Gosh, I’ve not know where to start, they’re quite the look

I know. I've carefully packed them back in the box for now. I love them but are they too much?!?

Search "Chloe Susannah" on Pinterest or similar and you'll get loads of ideas, they're very similar.

I would do your jeans with a thin cuff and no-show socks or black tights and a dress. I'd like to do the cutoff shorts but I'm not brave enough 😂

after many years of reckless shopping, my general philosophy is that if it’s too hard to match send it back

@EtiennePalmiere I agree - on all points! No shorts for me.

I also wanted these! Are they comfy?
I have an unhealthy habit of buying black ankle boots.

Absolutely gorgeous boots, @chalkyc2. And so satisfying to have them after a long period of coveting.

Boots are meant to be a versatile thing in your wardrobe, so I don’t think you need to over think how to wear them. Presumably you have alternative options - so why not spend an hour or so trying them on with all your jeans, trousers, skirts and dresses? You’ll soon see what they work best with.

From the photos on the website I’d guess the only thing to avoid might be full length trousers. They look fine where there’s a gap between trouser hem and boot. On the other hand they could be magnificent with a properly full length dress - the more delicate and floaty, the better. I’m thinking full on black tie evening gown - that would be a lovely look.

Love them! Ankle grazing jeans/ trousers or opaque tights with denim shorts or skirt or dress. I think with darker colours look better, I don't like the light blue jeans with them in the photo, I feel like the contrast is too much black would look better.

Definitely no socks!

I agree, if it's too hard to work out how to wear something then it's probably best send it back. However. I also think sometimes our wardrobes can do with a shake up, an injection. These boots are fun but not "out there" fun. Google to see what others are doing with them!

I had a quick look at Pinterest and looked for black studded ankle boot outfit/style. Here are some ideas.
Most showed skinny jeans or cuffed as above, monochrome outfits and flowing skirts with tights or minis.
I suspect with the elaborate buckles, keeping the outfit simple all black, perhaps is a great way to showcase them in a stylish way.
I really like them, btw.

I have some toga pula boots in a very similar style. I wore them loads with skinny jeans, leather leggings etc and the looked great but this is going back a few years…definitely not had them on my feet since March 2020 and not sure how long before that! No skinny jeans left in my wardrobe now. I was actually thinking the other day that their time had passed and maybe I should be charity shopping so this has woken me up to potential opportunities to revisit! I think I might try with workwear dresses

I think you have to go minimalist with the clothes if you wear the boots. Plain clothing will look good with them.

Those boots are fabulous. They will go with almost anything.

Amazing thanks all!! They do seem very comfortable on first try on. I don't wear loads of colours or patterns as a rule so these are a stand out purchase. Im keeping them!

@chalkyc2 i absolutely love these and have had my eye on them for ages too! Are they true to size?

@Apple2023 yep - I have air and grace trainers in a 6 and bought the same size. If anything a bit more generous than the trainers.

Okay … (Taking my life in my hands and fully prepared for the rabid guffawing and name calling that will inevitably follow.) I don’t know what your current style is, @chalkyc2, but your boots immediately made me think of the type of clothes Wendy Nichol designs. They’re the opposite of minimalist, powerfully feminine and wonderfully timeless. I’m obviously not suggesting you jump on a plane to the US to buy a whole new couture wardrobe - but the fact that you were drawn to those boots suggests this might be a style you’d feel at home in and would enjoy recreating from, I dunno, ASOS or Free People or wherever. Anyway, take a look, see what you think - every single one of these outfits would look completely natural with your boots:

https://wendynicholnyc.com/collections/ready-to-wear?page=5

My sister mentioned these the other day. I really wanted a pair about 4/5 years ago but then as a pp said I don't wear skinny jeans any more so not sure I'd wear them enough. They are a lot more expensive now!

I can't see that they work with wide leg/looser jeans and trousers so I guess skirts and dresses?

Agree 100%!

These look great, OP, but if you’re immediately struggling to make them work, they could end up being an expensive mistake.

As I know from bitter experience of wanting and loving a particular item, then finding it really difficult to style with my existing wardrobe. Inevitable upshot is it rarely gets worn - and when you’re spending significant money on something like boots, you definitely need them to be versatile enough to get the wear out of them.

I think that if you don't get the styling right they could give a bit of line dancing in Blackpool energy. Definitely not with any kind of sequin adorned top that's for sure.

These look great, OP, but if you’re immediately struggling to make them work, they could end up being an expensive mistake.

She isn’t ‘struggling’ - she’s just looking for outside inspiration.

Really not understanding all the swift intakes of breath and calls to send them back …

I normally like ankle cowboy boots but I’m not keen on the buckles on these - very 1985.

But - versatile with skirts, jeans, black trousers.

Love them. They'd look great with jumper dresses and thick tights.