Inspire me, please! Boots with dresses?

I am trying to branch out and up my style quotient (as I say) by trying different silhouettes, colors, etc. An idea I have is to pair some mid-calf boots with a dress or skirt. This is something I have never done and I have no idea how to begin. In my mind this seems to be a very flowy boho look which I typically do not have, but I know there must be other ways to mix the two items.

I guess the back story (the REAL truth, lol) is that I have a pair of Frye boots on order with the hope that they fit - we will know come Sunday!! I **so** want to join the Frye club!!! hee hee (See what you have done to me, YLF!!!!)

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fr.....ot/3359221

In trying to think of ways to style the boots (read: justify the expense), I thought maybe I would branch out and try something different...I know I can style them easily with jeans, leggings, jeggings, etc. It is the pairing with dresses and skirts that is throwing me off.

Can some of you post some WIWs pairing boots with dresses or skirts? I know I can search the web but I find "real" photos much more inspiring.

Also if those of you that rock this look can give me some tips/hints, I would appreciate it. What works for you when styling mid-calf boots with dresses or skirts?

Thanks in advance!

abc

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I love this height of boot and have found mine very versatile. Loved wearing them with dresses and skirts! I don't have a boho style, either, I don't think. Here are some ways I liked to wear them with midis as well as shorter hemlines. I don't know your style, but I think a tapered hem and some waist definition helps.

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Anonymous

I like them with casual dresses, like Rae showed above. I do have a pair of the same boots, in black. They are not really too versatile for a more corporate / office environment, but for casual dressing, they are great.

I don't have pictures with dresses, because I only wear them with jeans / denim. I am not much of a casual dress wearer, my default is denim.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-bonus-pet
The third photo shows boots I frequently wear with skirts and dresses. I think they work because they fit fairly close to the leg.

Aziraphale

Are you tall and thin? That will give you more options when it comes to skirt hem length. You can still wear them if you're not tall, as Rae has shown, but you need to be more careful with silhouette. Longer hem lengths will be trickier.

Calf boots can look awesome but can be difficult to style with skirts, because they can make a gal look a little stumpy. A heel helps. But the Veronicas, which are awesome by the way, are pretty flat. I can only get away with flat calf boots with skirts that are above or on the knee, 'cause I'm a shorty. You'll have to experiment and see.

Aida

I usually wear mine with baggy shorts, but here are a few skirt/dress looks with mid-calf boots. I like mine slouchy Planning to wear this formula tomorrow, actually!

EDIT: I'm 5'3", for reference.

See? Aida's wearing hers with above-knee skirts. Something about covering up the knee joint AND the ankle joint can make your legs look short and shapeless. But if you leave the curve of the knee exposed, your legs still look great, and the calf boots look cool and carefree

Rae - thanks for the photos. They really do help. And the tip about the hem and waist definition is good to know. I think these are the 2 keys to getting this look right.

Zapotee - I am exactly like you, I wear dresses casually less than pants, but this is something I am trying to change. If you recall, I was debating on the Frye Carmen Harness Short boots but I decided to go for these instead. The Carmens would be for wearing out of the house since they have a heel and I feel kind of silly running around the house with heels on. I work from home now so I was thinking I would get more wear out of the Veronicas since they are only a 1" heel. If the Veronicas work then I will probably move on to try the Carmens!

Joy - thanks for the visual! It really helps.

Elisabeth - LOL on the tall and thin comment...umm, no, I am pretty much the opposite! I guess this is why I've shied away from this look for so long. I guess with my build (5' 5" and size 16) it might be hard to pull off, but I am willing to try it, with the good advice of my fellow YLFers. I have not tried it yet, but I suspect you are 100% right about the hem length. Rae seems to pull off the longer looks, but I think with my body type I will find that above the knee looks best for the reasons you explained.

Aida - wow, thanks for all of the photos. I may have to shamelessly copy some of your looks. I like the above the knee length of the skirt with the slouchy look of the boot. I prefer mine slouchy too, I am hoping these boots do the trick. I also like how you have done the same color on the leg as the boot to elongate the line (pics 1,2 and 4). I will have to try that one, too.

Thanks, everyone, for the help. I cannot wait to try out some looks (provided the boots fit!) Wish me luck!

Diana

I have those boots in black. Here are some outfits (sorry, all links... I am on my iPad and can't post photos).

With dress over skinnies:
http://diana.lookfab.com/post/.....-by-astrid

This is with a tunic, but I copied Aida's dress outfit:
http://diana.lookfab.com/post/.....e-original

With a frilly printed skirt:
http://diana.lookfab.com/post/.....moto-boots

I have other skirt/dress with mid calf boots looks as well if you check out my look fab blog.
http://lookfab.com/browse/diana

It's actually my favorite boot height for skirts/dresses since I like to see some leg between my hem and boots.

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