Best Foot Forward

by Kena Paranjape on February 24, 2010

Joan & David Boot

This is a guest post, by Lisa McLatchie of the Practical Fashionista. Lisa is a personal stylist whose focus is on helping you to develop your individual style in a functional, realistic and cost effective way.

It’s almost like its part of our DNA. When it comes to footwear, as women, we are obsessed! From stilettos to sandals, we just can’t seem to get enough. But as a Personal Stylist who has worked with women from all walks of life, I can’t help but notice that even the savviest of shoe stylistas can make mistakes when it comes to boots. Whether it’s wearing the wrong ones for your body, or the right ones with the wrong outfit, it happens. So to prevent any future foot faux pas, the Practical Fashionista’s Boot Basics…

A pair of tall boots with the highest heel you can handle will be the most versatile and flattering; wear them to work with skirts, dresses, and trousers, or on the weekend with your favourite pair of jeans.
When it comes to ankle boots, they are best worn under a pair of pants. If you want to wear them with a skirt, choose a pair that dips lower in the front underneath the ankle bone. If they cut straight across the ankle, they will make your legs look shorter.
Tall, flat boots look best with either a mini or maxi skirt. A skirt length in between these two extremes can look matronly.
If you have thicker calves, avoid the mid-calf boot. Hitting your leg at the widest part will only emphasize the size.
A boot that stops just above the widest part of your calf is the most flattering for everyone. It should be snug, but not too tight or too loose.