The flat white pointy toe Beatle booties from Zara that I bought last year have been wardrobe workhorses. They add a modern and fresh touch to jeans/trouser outfits, are extremely comfortable, and I love the colour. I WISH I had bought another pair when they were still available, but alas, I was too late and they were gone. 

Where others choose black or brown booties to complete their outfits, I often choose a shade of white. So I’ve been on the hunt for a similar pair of flat white booties because my Zara’s are looking quite haggared from wearing them into the ground. Nothing fit the bill until I stumbled across the Calvin Klein Collection Ankle Boot. These are much better quality than the original pair from Zara, and they are even more comfortable. The leather is very soft and the bootie somehow offers support despite the flat heel. The ankle openings do not cut into my shins, and the heels do not slip off my feet.

I also love the look: ultra refined and modern. They don’t have a pointy toe, but the toe box is long which helps elongate the leg line.

They run true to size and work for both low or regular volume feet. I do not think they will work well for wide feet. 

I do not intend to wear these booties with skirts and dresses, so I don’t mind the wider ankle opening. In fact, it works particularly well with rolled jeans. They are also available in black, and you can get an extra 20% off all YOOX orders with code: JUSTINTIME.

There are many, many reasons to love wearing jeans. A flattering and comfortable fit is probably top of the list for most women, and while I do agree that jeans can be flattering and comfy, these are not my top reasons for loving them. Personally, I find a soft pair of baggy wool or cotton trousers a lot more comfortable than a pair of jeans. And a pencil skirt or tailored dress is probably more conventionally flattering. 

Jeans are one of my wardrobe essentials for three completely different reasons.

1. Jeans Are Practical 

Blue, black and grey jeans are extremely practical for just about any task.  No need to worry about flashing your knickers when the wind blows. When I’m wearing my jeans I feel like I can just get on with it. In a skirt, a dress or dressy trousers I feel more restricted.

Denim is a hardy fabric. As we would say in Dutch, “het kan tegen een stootje”, which means that it can take a beating. Blue and black jeans can stay looking crisp and fresh for several wears, making them laundry-friendly and even more durable. 

2. Jeans Are Versatile

Jeans can be dressed up or down, which means that by changing up their support act, we can wear both super casual and dressy smart casual outfits with the same pair of jeans. By changing the flavour of an outfit, we can wear jeans in all sorts of settings and look completely acceptable and appropriate. And since many, many people wear jeans, it’s a way of fitting into your environmental norm. 

On top of that, the most popular colours of denim are versatile neutrals. Somehow even blue denim can work in almost any colour palette.

3. Jeans Are Fashionable

It’s amazing how a good pair of jeans can increase the fashion quotient of a top or topper. Sometimes when a top worn with a skirt or a pair of trousers looks meek and borderline frumpy, you can pair it with a pair of fabulous jeans instead to make the outfit instantly more hip and fashionable. For an extra kick, wear white jeans. They are bright, dressy and crisp. 

I’m not sure what came first: jeans designs getting increasingly fashionable, or jeans becoming acceptable in more situations. But these two trends are moving hand in hand. We are a jeans wearing generation.

Demand for the L.L. Bean “duck boot” is through the roof, Olivia Wilde becomes the new face of H&M’s Conscious Exclusive line, a new and unexpected J.Crew collaboration, and more news from the fashion trenches this week.

• Demand for the L.L. Bean “duck boot”, made by hand in Maine, is through the roof with a waiting list of 60,000 people.
• Oliva Wilde is the new face of H&M’s latest Conscious Exclusive collection.
• These are the most searched for accessories, shoes, clothing, beauty products and top brands by the Polyvore community in 2014.
• The National Portrait Gallery plans a photo exhibition charting the life and career of Audrey Hepburn next year.
• The internet was abuzz with news about J.Crew’s newest collaboration: a collection of clothing, accessories and shoes for the brand’s junior line, Crewcuts, created by four-year old blogger Mayhem.

Fun Fashion Fact

From Alannah Weston, Creative Director at Selfridges, and Floriane de Saint Pierre, “recruitment mogul of the fashion industry”, to fashion photographer Inez van Lamsweerde, and actor and style icon Tilda Swinton, did you know you can read an in-depth profile of these and thirty-five other fascinating women on The Library page of British magazine The Gentlewoman.

This ensemble combines shades of red with shades of dark brown. Feel free to add a third accent colour, like teal, which I’ve done here. Or stick to red, brown and a neutral, like Winter white. 

There are many, many ways to combine red with brown successfully. I’ve started the ball rolling with three outfit ideas. One with blue denim, one with a red skirt, and one with brown trousers. Use solids and patterns as you wish. 

Red Sweater with Jeans & Brown Boots

Combine skinny jeans with a red item of knitwear and tall brown boots. If skinny jeans aren’t your thing, wear straight legs, flares or boyfriend jeans with short brown or animal print booties. Wear a brown belt to match the boots if you’re partially tucking the sweater. Add a teal, brown or red coat, and finish off the look with a brown or animal print bag. A brown beanie or newsboy hat is a fun and cosy finishing touch. 

Red Skirt with Brown Sweater & Faux Fur Vest

Combine a red skirt, tomato or burgundy, with a dark brown sweater in a silhouette that works with the skirt. I’ve chosen a pencil skirt, but a flared red skirt with a cropped brown sweater is another option. Top off the look with a faux fur vest or dark brown jacket. Add red or brown footwear that works with the skirt, and a teal tote. Or leave off the vest and add a burnt orange or teal scarf.

Brown Skinnies with Red Tunic & Scarf

Combine brown Ponte knit skinny pants or jeans with an oversized deep red tunic sweater. Add a scarf and bag in accent colours and finish off the look with sleek brown booties or slipper flats. Add the faux vest or a teal coat to top off the look. A red or brown coat works just as well. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired. 

I’ll be wearing my new red cashmere pullover and old red coat with blue boyfriend jeans, cognac belt and booties next week. I can also wear blue relaxed skinnies tucked into dark brown mid-calf moto boots with the same red pullover, coat and dark brown studded belt. Now it’s your turn to get those creative juices flowing.