Hi ho silver

Yes, it's cowboy boots time.

I've caved on the white ones (can't say I do things by half) and I've realised that I have my black Toga Pulla ones from about 4yrs ago which are very much "where's your horse?". (complete with jangly buckles and everything).

They're back.  I'm going to call it now.  Not necessarily in white - the colour palette is your oyster. 

Now interestingly, I've been thinking about my hero list from the other days and ankle boots are on there. 

These do fall under this category - they're definitely not the only ankle boots I wear (I basically have an ankle boot fetish) BUT I do think that the western style - yee ha - boots are here to stay. 

At this point, I can hear lots of whooping and lots of weeping.  Fear not, if they're not your bag, they are certainly other boot alternatives in the land of footwear but spare a second to consider these as they might be more versatile than you think.  

Let me explain.. ok so for a start, I like the ones that are quite closely fitted to your ankle.  Will start with the downside - they can be a bugger to get on and off.  Especially after a glass of wine or a small gin.  I mentioned this a while ago and someone did confess - I think it was over on Instagram - that one night she had actually slept in hers (it was a pair of sock boots actually but same issue, different style). 

The point is you are going to have to labour for your love here as they are super versatile, despite the tiny issue of removal.   They look so amazing with all sorts of skirts (ok so maybe not a pencil skirt but since I haven't worn one of these for as long as I can remember - moot point.  If you do wear them - maybe not with a cowboy boot), dresses, skinny jeans, leather leggings and finish off a straight leg or boyfriend jean perfectly.  Not to mention looking fabulous with cropped flare trousers too.  There aren't many boots you can say that about, apart from a sock boot but in my experience, they have thinner heels and one of the OTHER joys of a western boot is that they usually have the most practical of heels.  Chunky, not too high - you could run a marathon in them.  (Maybe).

So I'm going to break you in gently.. although to me, these aren't quite cowboy enough for me but they are called Western, so I guess they can legitimately go here...  And they are rather fabulous.  ADORE the colour.  Genuinely a classic shade and a pretty neutral boot really, that you would have for ages.  Look at that marathon running heel height. *thumbs up*

Office Leighton Unlined Western Boot £80

Plain again and ideal if you don't like them so far up your ankle.  Better if you're more petite (me - I like them as far up my leg as they will go - less to fake tan).

Office Arrived Unlined Western Boot £89 



Upping the ante now with a bit more Dolly.  Embroidery.  So these are far too subtle for my beloved Ms Parton but they work perfectly in good old Blighty.

Office Atlanta High Cut Western Boot in Nubuck £89





However we're definitely nudging into Dolly territory with a big of bling.  Subtle enough for any urban street though.  THESE are all the awesome.

Office Argentina High Cut Western Boot £105



And then we dive into the Western camp with a full on lasso.

Arizona Western Boots from Topshop £65



Or in the cream... hmmm I would actually love these in a tan.  You heard it hear first.  

Arizona Western Boots from Topshop £65



Did someone say lilac?  Random but so random they're right. 

Arrow Western Boots £79



And then - there are the ones I have.  Which I absolutely love.  In white - £89.99 from Mango. 




I love them so so so much - I'm tempted to get them in the black as well.  They are genuinely that good.  I walked TEN km in them yesterday.  Yup - ten whole km.  And they didn't hurt a bit.  Genuinely the most comfortable boots ever. 

Leather cowboy ankle boots in black £89  And OOS IN MY SIZE!  ARRGGGH which obviously means I want them even more.  Yes I did go to the only two Mango stores I know in London today (is there still one in Covent Garden?) and no they didn't have a size 40 for love nor money.  The.  Law.  Of.  Sod.


Or what about if you can't decide between the black and the white? 

Arrow Western Boots from Topshop £79



Then there are the old buckle me up Western style - this I can definitely get on board with (having had a similar pair for four years).

Amazing Western Boots from Topshop £72



More buckles at ASOS. 

RAID Tracie Black Western Boots were £39.99 now £18



So I am going to be digging out my old buckle boots and am going to look and see if I really "need" (errr no obvs not...) another pair of black cowboysboots.  Or should I leave it to the Autumn and just wear the white ones to death?  That's probably the most sensible thing I've said in a long time (who am I and what have I done with myself?!).

In the meantime - today I was in need of a leopard fix with my new dress that I was very kindly given by Lily & Lionel yesterday.  And super spookily, who do I bump into this morning at a special breakfast at Liberty of London to celebrate the Women of Liberty Windows - obviously on International Womens Day - but Alice Stone, the Creative Director of Lily & Lionel.  Here with my lovely friend, Stacey Duguid (on the right), Editor at Large of Elle.

Did you know that in the early 1900's, one of the only place that women were allowed to gather unchaperoned were department stores?  And so the Suffragettes could be found gathering in the wooden halls of Liberty, plotting their campaigns.  Roll forward and today, 50% of the leadership of Liberty is female.  Woman Make Liberty.  Such an honour to be invited to celebrate the women of Liberty, who adorn their windows, all shot by Mary McCartney.




Dress - Lily & Lionel (gift current)
Biker - hush (gift 4yrs ago)
Boots - Tabitha Simmonds (sale aw16)

Bag - Loewe fromMatches (current)
Sunglasses - Chloe from Very Exclusive (ss17)