London - You’ll be forgiven for thinking there wasn’t much more that could be done with the humble boot.
The winter wardrobe staple already has a myriad of incarnations – from heel type to fabric, there’s a long list of variables and a well-established roster of styles.
From the ubiquitous ankle to the risqué thigh-highs and for autumn there’s a new edition, helpfully christened the “midi”.
Doing pretty much what it says it does, the midi boot falls on the shin, somewhere above the ankle but below the knee. This used to be a no-go zone, considered as an unflattering region to accentuate, but, thanks to the prominence of midi-hemlines in recent seasons, there’s a newfound love affair with this particular flash of flesh.
For inspiration look no further than the autumn/winter collections. Raf Simons’s version for Dior came in a skin-hugging sock-like form in multicoloured patent with Perspex heels. At Dries van Noten they were decorative with ornate embroidery, and at Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci’s take came in stretch black leather.
While the sock-versions of these boots are harder to pull off (figuratively and literally) shops are providing options that avoid the cling-factor. Zara’s homage to the designer versions are a good starting point.
The trick to optimising the flattering effect is to consider hemlines. For the most contemporary look, team with mid-length skirts that will leave just a snippet of limb on show. For those wanting something shorter, steer clear of anything tiny or tight. Opt for an A-line skirt that will even out proportions.
The Independent