The weather is starting to get cooler in my part of the country and that means fall fashion for most of us! The ankle boot may not be a new trend, but it is definitely one that has stood the test of time and works for any woman who has feet – ha ha!

What Is an Ankle Boot?

The ankle boots or booties are a short boot covering the foot and stopping around the ankle. It’s really a perfect transition piece from the summer to fall since it provides more coverage than the sandals of summer, yet is not as warm as the full length boots.

What Variations and Styles Are Available?

Just as with most clothing items made in modern times, there are all kinds of varieties to fit every woman. First the height of the heel. The wonderful thing about this type of footwear, is there is a boot for everyone! There are the flat versions for women who don’t wear heels. And then there’s a range of heel height from half an inch to over 4 inches high.

Of course there are many different choices of colour too. I’m sure if you have a pair, you might already own the black or brown neutrals that we gravitate towards in the winter months. But don’t stop there, because there are plenty of other colours available.

Heck, there are even some print booties out there that can brighten up a solid coloured outfit if you’re willing to try it! If you still happen to like wearing skirts and dresses, I may suggest a pair that is close to you skin tone! This allows for some warmth for your feet without breaking up the leg line as much.

Using Colour to Your Advantage

Speaking of the leg line, I know most of us in this age group have heard it said time and time again, that the same colour elongates the legs making you look taller. I’m not refuting this claim, but I would like to point out the fact that if you have shorter legs, you’re not going to fool many people with a monochromatic colour on the bottom half of your body.

Wearing a different colour ankle boot with a skirt can be a contemporary look mainly because the younger generation isn’t all about matching. My mother let me style her in this kind of outfit for our Leather Skirt post that you can read here. She didn’t love the idea at first, but I think due to the fact that her boots are form fitting, they got a lot of compliments. What do you think?

What About Cut Out Ankle Boots?

The other styles of ankle boots that have been featured lately are the cut outs. What I mean by this is that the toe, heel or side of the boot is open. I used to think this was a silly characteristic, however, I do know quite a few women who are always warm. Thus these cut out can be a great ventilation for that factor. I even have a pair of peep-toe booties and since the rest of your foot is covered, your toes really don’t get that cold.

How Do Ankle Boots Feel?

Wearing an ankle boot is really no different than wearing a full length boot. The height of the heel is what can make a difference in the comfort of this footwear. For me, I can easily wear my orthotics in most of my booties, because I tend to order them in a half size bigger. By doing this, I’m able to wear socks and tights without the ankle boots being too tight when winter rolls around.

Why Do I Love This Look?

As someone who always tends to be cold, I appreciate the warmth the ankle boots can provide. Especially during the days when it’s not too warm and yet not too cold. It’s also a great way to add some variety to my outfits!

Pros of the Ankle Boot

If you read the article here on Sixty + Me about the ankle pants (check it out here if you missed it), then you might remember that these type of pants are perfect for these type of boots! If you’re wearing a shorter boot, why not show it off with shorter length trousers? It goes without saying that you can certainly wear them under your regular length pants too.

Since there is not as much material needed for a shorter boot like these, I can seem to find a better deal on many of them. That’s not to say that you can’t spend a good amount on them, but I have seen quite a few pair for under $50.

Cons of the Ankle Boot

With tighter fitting pants, sometimes it’s hard to figure out whether to tuck in the pants or cuff them? I feel that right now, it’s usually a better look to cuff the pants so they end right above the top of the ankle boot.

There are variations of cuffing the jeans too. Of course you can do an inch or two a couple times. But another modern look is to have a larger cuff of the jeans. For an example of this cuff, check out the post here of the 60’s model. I know I’m not showing an ankle boot with the jeans, but the cuff is at least 4 inches and would work for a bootie too. Of course, this cuffing works best with a straight leg jean that is not overly wide.

Do you love wearing ankle boots? How many pairs of ankle boots are in your closet? Did I miss some of the advantages or disadvantages of this style? Please share your thoughts and join the conversation.