Boot Bookending

We often talk on this forum about book ending our footwear with either something in the top half of our outfit or with our hair. And we have also talked at great length about nude or blonde footwear. 

I have become a complete convert of the nude (for me) footwear concept with my taupe patent pointy toe pumps - which I do not book end with anything. I have also fallen in love with light colored footwear for summer with my bone/silver sandals and my bone laser cut oxfords.

This has me thinking about light colored boots for fall/winter. I had to purge my light beige suede ankle boots due to the high heel height but I really liked how they could make a fall and winter outfit look less heavy when worn with nude micro fishnets. 

So could light colored boots work for me? Something like these?

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11 Comments

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Remember when Rita got nude boots? Hers were tall knee highs, and she rocked them with her dark hair. It did take a bit of work to style them at times. 

    I think a light boot is a great idea. I am unsure about these -- the calf height combined with the heel and overall shape might make them tricky with skirts and dresses, but I guess there is only one way to find out. 

  • Diana replied 10 years ago

    Well, I figure you can bookend them with your face. ;)  At least that's what I tell myself with my taupe boots.  In fact, I often wear them with dark tights or pants and I think it's OK. 

    Now white footwear I do have issues with, maybe because my skin's not pale. 

    Oh, and another point: my taupe boots do have a darker distressing on the toe so I think that keeps them from looking too light.  You might want to look into something like that too.

  • Inge replied 10 years ago

    I think you already know what I'm going to say: yes!-)
    The principle behind it is the same as with your animal print booties, right? (I remember you being worried about those too, and look how fab and versatile they turned out to be:-).

    FYI: I have knee-high light taupe boots and mid-calf bone-coloured boots (and brown hair), and love both pairs (I don't always bookend either).

    The boots in the photo look wonderful, I was going to write pretty much what Suz wrote. They are worth a squizz...

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    I LOVE the concept of this, but I am not sold on these.  With the trend toward more refned and ladylike footwear, I am not sure these fit the bill.

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I like the concept of a lighter colored boot and actually looked for one for me last winter, although I never found the right pair.  I'm not sold on the versatility of this particular pair due to the calf height shaft, but maybe that's just because I find that height tricky to wear.

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    One thing you may want to keep in mind is that your other light colored shoes  get worn with bare legs and under pants. With a bare leg, the leg line is long because of the nude-for-you coloring. Under pants, the leg is still pretty long, because the pant leg comes all the way down.

    With boots that you have to tuck into, they will create a line where they hit if your tights/skinnies/etc. contrast highly with the boot. I imagine you don't go bare-legged in your winters. This means they are more potentially leg-shortening, which is more of a concern in my mind than bookending (you wear blue shoes, so why not white!). 

    That's not to say they won't work, but they will probably be tougher to work around. You might have to raise your leg line in other ways, or maybe fiddle with what kind of shaft height and width will work. 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Ok....so it sounds like a lighter colored boot can work for me but maybe not this particular pair. Might try them just to see though.

    I do not want knee high boots as I find them the hardest to fit due to my short and thick calves. 

    I actually do like the mid calf height on me strangely enough - such as my Doc Marten Marcies and have no problem wearing them with skirts and dresses.

    I really wanted the olive colored Clarks I bought last year to be my neutral pair but they aren't as comfortable as I had hoped. Might dig them out and try again.

    Thanks for the feedback ladies!

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Gosh Shannon, firstly I love those boots... I think I am drooling a little.

    I think you can bookend a lighter or nude coloured boot/shoe with skin when necessary.  Say bare legs (or neutral hose), 3/4 length sleeves showing some arm, a neckline that is not too high and shows some skin.  Or ofcourse for winter by working something light into the top half of your outfit can do the trick.  However I don't think bookending is a rule :) And with the right balance and proptions your lovely silver flecks might be enough.

  • pil replied 10 years ago

    I like this idea for you Shannon and am confident you'll be able to make it work with this, or another, pair.

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    I like the idea of a light colored boot for winter, and the suggestions on how to make it work are fantastic. Since the boots are light colored, I think they could be worn well into the spring months (although this year I wore my dark colored booties a lot longer than I usually do). I have also been looking for a pair, so I will be joining you on your light colored boot journey!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Deborah - thanks so much for your input. I really appreciate the suggestions on how to make light colored boots work for me. I do think a peek of skin is the key - whether it be nude hose or scrunched sleeves.

    Karie - I'm almost thinking boots like this could be worn year round except in the warmest months. Good luck with your search!

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