Forget ankle grazers, aim high in this season’s retro statement boots: Stomping in style this autumn
- Jo Elvin says that the knee-high boot is back and dominating winter fashion
- She credits designers Valentino and Chloe for ushering in the triumphant return
- Jo says versatile high-knee boot is sure to ‘work with everything you want it to’
Great things happen when you start at the bottom and work your way up. That age-old careers advice is also a good rule to live by in fashion.
In fact starting from the bottom is my favourite way to get dressed. When I have to throw together an outfit in seconds flat, I tend to build a whole look around that very first decision: footwear.
And the biggest, boldest footwear statement for 2022? The knee-high boot. After years and years of the ankle boot dominating our winter wardrobes, we’re suddenly, collectively done with having our calves on show.
Credit designers such as Valentino and Chloe for ushering in the triumphant return of the knee-high boot and I, for one, could not be happier with the resultant influx of options on the High Street.
Left: Dress, £295, meandem.com; bag, £205, cnicol.com; boots, £225, dunelondon.com; cuff, £155, merola. co.uk; ring (left), £139, thomassabo. com; ring (right), £27.99, pilgrim.net. Right: Dress, £250, meandem.com; bag, £160, cnicol. com; boots, £250, duoboots.com
Left: Shirt, £25, marksand spencer.com; skirt, £140, meandem.com; boots, £109, johnlewis.com; bag £120, jasperconran.com. Right: Knit, £150, boden.co.uk; jeans, £180, wyselondon.com; boots, £65, schuh.co.uk; bag, £110, jasperconran.com; cuff, £205, merola.co.uk; rings as before
I’m particularly in love with the take on the trend showcased here: think ’70s muse Ali McGraw, wafting her way through the classic film Love Story, chocolate brown knee-highs peeking from under an A-line skirt.
In fact the great joy of the knee-high boot is that it’ll work with everything you want it to — dresses and skirts of all lengths and shapes, under or over jeans.
The colour options have expanded, too: a classic black and brown is the smart choice to see you through this and many seasons to come, but there’s a whole rainbow out there to enjoy.
Left: Vest, £25, johnlewis.com; skirt, £84, and boots, £499, lkbennett.com; bag, £345, demellierlondon.com; bracelet, £35, Jaeger at marksand spencer.com; ring £79, daisyjewellery.com. Right: Dress, £90, jovonnalondon. com; boots, £275, duoboots. com; bag, £115, jasperconran. com; cuff, £155, merola.co.uk; ring, £51, heyharpershop.com
I can’t stop staring at these bold cream numbers from LK Bennett, because they just really ‘pop’ don’t they? There aren’t really any ‘rules’ on heel height either. These chocolate, suede-detailed flats from Duo Boots have an equestrian vibe just made to pair with jeans, but as you can see (above right) they also look right with a short dress.
A quick word, too, on that other great statement-making accessory, the handbag. Designers like Gucci and Bottega Veneta are favouring them big and pouchy. I have my eye firmly on these amazing ‘entire life holders’ — particularly this buttery yellow number from Jasper Conran. It’s the kind of arm candy that will earn its keep over and over again.
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