Black footwear is always in style, but it’s particularly on trend and fashionable for Fall and Winter 2013. Black booties, shooties, tall boots, mid-calf boots, pumps, sneakers, flat forms, oxfords, peep-toes and slipper flats are being worn with all sorts of outfit combinations.  

Black footwear was by far the most popular choice at the Fall 2013 runway shows and I pinned some directional combinations. 

• Jil Sander: Rich dark hues with midi length skirt, coat and baroque heeled loafers. 
• Akris: Severe black pumps with cropped pants and cocoon coat. 
• Costume National: Round shouldered peplum with cigarette pants and heeled black booties. 
• Celine: Feminine architectural flow with black mid-calf boots.
• Chalayan: Masculine slouch with simple suede booties. 
• Salvatore Ferragamo: Crisp tailoring with sleek cut-out knee-high boots.
• Michael Kors: A combination of severe and pretty with black Mary Jane pointy toe pumps. 
• Milly: Cream and textured black with sleek black heeled booties. 
• Clements Ribeiro: The multi-strap flat pointy toe bootie with knee covering bottoms. 
• Paul Smith: Baggy cobalt trousers with earthy oranges and black booties.
• Paul & Joe: Over-the-knee boots with short flared hemlines. 
• Joseph: Bright skirts worn over fluid pants with mid-calf boots. 

On trend black booties and tall boots are for the most part refined and without a platform. Styles with almond toes and pointy toes look particularly fresh.

Black peds have many advantages:

1. They naturally bookend dark hair, black tops and toppers, or black belts, scarves and bags.
2. They elongate the leg line when wearing dark trousers or jeans.
3. They are practical, hiding dirt and moisture, and can be spruced up with black shoe polish or a sharpie pen. 
4. They are a versatile modern classic.

For all these reasons most of my clients have black footwear in their wardrobes. And those who prefer navy, chocolate or dark grey to black for clothing items, still wear black footwear because it works just as well to bookend those neutrals. 

I prefer light coloured footwear because it complements my pale complexion and bookends my blonde hair. That’s why I wear white, cream, taupe, silver, gold and patterned footwear more regularly than black footwear. That said, I do wear black footwear, and have a few pairs of extremely comfortable tall black boots. I have resisted black booties for many seasons, favouring cream and animal print. But this is going to be the year I add black booties with a one and a half inch heel to my wardrobe. All of a sudden, I’m in the mood for the look. They have to be patent because that makes them a little prettier and more textured than flat black leather, and of course it’s the dressier option too. 

Do you wear black footwear, and do you wear it year round? If so, why does black footwear tickle your fancy? Or are your against black footwear because it’s too harsh and to some degree the expected choice.