The Working Closet
with Susan Wagner
The Working Closet is your source for the best of what's hip and fresh in fashion and beauty. Susan Wagner keeps you up-to-date on trends and offers tips and tricks for making everything in your closet truly work for you.
You can also catch Susan over at Friday Playdate.
It’s fall, so it’s time to bust out the boots; a great pair of flat boots is an investment worth making. Flat boots are comfortable and practical and super cute. And they go with everything.
Now you’re skeptical, aren’t you? But really, you can wear your flat boots with pretty much anything in your closet.
Hartford Tall Boot, Ann Taylor Loft, $168
You know you can wear your boots with skinny jeans; for a great casual Friday look that doesn’t involve jeans, substitute a pair of skinny corduroys. Not a skinny jeans girl? Pair your boots with a skirt or dress.
Journee Collection Slouchy Microsuede Boot, Target, $36.99
The hem of your skirt or dress should hit somewhere between the top of your kneecap and the middle of your thigh, depending on your age and comfort level. The closer you are to 40, the closer your hem should be to your knee. Trust me on this.
No matter what your age, steer clear of the long long hemline with your boots; show a little leg between the boots and the skirt. Fill the gap with tights that match your boots, for the longest leg line. Add a slip if needed, both to keep your skirt from sticking to your tights and for extra warmth. Or look for tights with some shine to them — the higher spandex content will make them less likely to latch on to your skirt.
Unisa Riri boots, Piperlime, $99
Coming next week: It’s nearly November — are you ready for thirty days of The Working Closet Flickr pool? Get out your cameras and get ready to snap your outfits every day for a month!
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Really? No long skirts with boots? Is that because you don’t like long skirts in general or you just don’t like the look of long skirts with boots? I find long skirts very practical for cool fall and early winter weather, but what to wear with them if not boots?
Also, I’ve been meaning to comment on this for a while… some time back, the other writer (the one after you and now gone I guess) had committed to including a photo of a plus-sized outfit/model in each entry that included photos of models. I really miss that.
ms four | October 25th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I bought my flat knee-high equestrian-style boots (not totally flat: they have a 1-1/2 inch stacked heel) last fall and they are by far my favorite thing in my closet. I adore them. They make everything look good. Mainly I wear them with jeans (boot-cut, not tucked in; I’m not skinny enough to wear skinny jeans) and with knee-length skirts/dresses (with or without tights). People are always telling me how well-dressed I look when I wear them, even if I’m only wearing a denim skirt and sweater.
Shannon | October 25th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
The most flattering hemline is one that falls close to the knee — either just above or just below. Knee-length skirts extend the leg line and play up curves; longer skirts, particularly those with more volume (a long A line skirt, for example) add weight. A long skirt, especially one that hits at the widest part of the calf, can also make your legs look shorter, particularly when paired with boots,
The other side, of course, is that style is a very personal choice — think, as Tim Gunn says, about fit and silhouette, but also think about how you want your wardrobe to work for you and then wear what works.
Susan | October 26th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I wear them with knee-level skirts but I also enjoy them with skirts just long enough to play peek-a-boo between skin & boot. I agree - there’s fit & silhouette but there’s also personal style. I’m taller than average so I can also get away with shortening the look of my leg a bit in a way more petite friends would not.
Mich | October 26th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I’m tall (5′10″ but my legs really belong to a 6′2″ person) and since my boots never come up high enough, I think the right proportion for me is a skirt that hits at knee cap, baring 2 to 4″ of leg before the boot top. Does that formula work?
rb | October 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
‘Madewell’, J.Crews’ less-preppy companion store has great boots this fall!! I was in there yesterday, and they’ve got some good stuff going on - less expensive (a little) than Jcrew too….
jerilyn Dever | November 4th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
So, I’m a little late to this post, but where do you find slips anymore? I don’t think major department stores carry them anymore… or am I just not noticing them?
Darla | November 19th, 2009 at 12:27 pm