Classic Call Two
So we've had a look at black ankle boots, but personally for me, an easier boot to wear is the tan boot.
I truly believe there is a tan boot for everyone and everyone should have one in their wardrobe. So much more versatile than a black boot, there isn't a colour they don't go with and they're much easier to wear all year round. In an ideal world, clearly we'd have a pair of boots for each occasion but in reality, we have to probably make do with a limited selection. Therefore the more versatile they are, for me, the more wear you'll get out of them. Which also means that it's probably worth spending that little bit more if there are a pair you absolutely love. Case in point are my tan Rockafella boots from Russell & Bromley which were £295 three and a half years ago. I reckon I wear them at least once a week, if not more. Assuming more, that works out at about a £1 a wear. (I think - don't hold me to that, I am numerically challenged it has to be said) And they'll still hold strong this A/W as well.
But it's not necessary to spend that much by any stretch of the imagination. And in fact it's much easier to find a cheaper tan boot that looks expensive - something that I personally find much more challenging with a black boot.
There is a plethora of tan boots out there. Which is why I can guarantee there is something for everyone. Low ankle, higher ankle, low heel, cuban heel, higher stack heel. Round toe, square toe, pointed toe. Suede, leather, dark tan, lighter tan. Buckles, embellishment or plain. Knock yourselves out.
To cut a long story short, we could be here forever discussing tan boots, but here is a selection of ones that I would personally be happy to wear. Not necessarily suited to a tall Gulliver beanpole, these would work for most people with the right outfits, if they're your cup of tea.
These are definitely my daytime selection. I'd probably wear most of these with trousers if I'm honest, either skinnies, or I'd like to try some of them with a more up to date tapered leg (am so excited at exploring these in more detail!)
The first two are a lesson in the perils, yet again, of online shopping. Tis a lottery indeed. I had ordered the Limited black leather boots I posted a couple of weeks ago from New Look. Were they ok? Well yes. But just ok. The leather was just not quite right and the heel was just, well, not quite right either. Dare I say it but every so slightly cheap looking. Which is the downside of shopping on the internet where a store has a really good photographer (for the record, the store which are the polar opposite of this and have the worse photographers on the planet are M&S. Woeful. Seriously seriously woeful. How they actually sell anything online is beyond me. A degree of imagination, nay, a shedload, is needed to see past the hideous settings.)
But I digress, New Look have a fabulous online retail team clearly and their products mostly look great on screen. So I took the boots back and had a quick squizz round to see what else caught my eye and can report back on two pairs of boots that are a much better bet and definitely worth checking out.
The same Limited ankle boots in brown. A gorgeous mottled dark chestnut colour (so we're scraping in with the tan description to be frank) The heel that didn't quite work with the black leather works perfectly with the brown.
Also from New Look these are less of a classic boot - and are very much a staple on the high street, but I would say from the ones I've seen, these are the best quality and the most expensive looking. Brown leather glitter panel ankle boot. Gorgeous, honestly gorgeous.
And just to prove I did really like them, here's a photo of me in them.
The second online dodgy job I have to report are these Zeta zip ankle boots from Oasis. Now I'll be honest, normally I wouldn't look at Oasis for boots. In fact I'm not the world's biggest Oasis fan it does have to be said, but I was looking for shoes with my niece and we happened in here. Had I seen them online, I wouldn't have given them a second glance (they're not on a par with the hideousness of the M&S site - dear god that would take some doing). But in the flesh? Fantastic.
So here they are online.
Hmmm. I would say average. And then some.
Hopefully, however this might change your mind. And do bare in mind that I am an utterly pap photographer.
Ok on reflection that is a truly abysmal photo but please please do check them out in real life if they're remotely what you're after as they're just lovely.
Upping the ante a bit cost wise but a great brand and great quality. H by Hudson - a selection of their ankle boots. Yum. And actually, if we price it up against a lot of the High Street, to be honest, not ridiculously expensive at all.
Here we have a list of lustfulness.
The Horrigan Tan ankle boot
The Horrigan in Beige Suede
The Encke multi suede tan
The Riley Tan
I think for around the £150 mark, compared to the prices of Acne, Rag & Bone and Fiorentini and Baker, they're a really good buy. Quality wise, I'll be honest (although I will say I haven't seen Rag & Bones ones in the flesh, the other two I have - have tried on, and purchased), there really is very little difference.
Lastly from me tonight - I shall have to do more another day otherwise I'll be here forever and there is Smokey Pork chilli to be eaten - are these from Nine West. Again, I have seen these instore as opposed to just online and they are great. The pic does do them justice and if you're looking for a smarter heeled boot, I would be trying these on for sure.
The Digin by Vintage America from Nine West
There are oodles more I want to check out so I shall have to do a Classic Call Two, Round Two.
A brief round up of what I wore today. Loving this sunshine it has to be said!
White vest - Primark
Lilac & yellow beaded silk tunic - Antik Batik
Distressed paint splat jeans - Zara (my current fave as you may have noticed)
Rose gold Gigi sandals - Sam Edelman
Gold bee - Alex Monroe
Tan leather rivet cuff - Mulberry
Gold Renegade bracelet - Stella & Dot
Vanilla Roxanne - Mulberry
Catch you v soon xxx
Sniggering to myself as I've been looking at those exact 4 pairs of Hudson boots this evening, trying to decide which are my faves! I LOVE them all, but just wish that they were a teensy bit more tan :-/
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the Riley in person? I think it's a winner, but am not sure about the crinkly leather... just how crinkly is it?! Horrigan is my 2nd fave.
Nic x
Haven't seen the Riley in person - will be seeing if they have them in Office tomorrow. Will report back xxx
DeleteI have to disagree with you! M&S website may be bad ... but dear God, have you looked at Cos? Now that truly is a lesson on how to take perfectly lovely clothes and make them look like something you'd be ashamed to donate to your local charity shop!
ReplyDeleteah now you see I don't mind the Cos website. It's actually very true to the clothes - they're very unstructured, clean lines and I think the photos are very true to the garments themselves. Not sure if it helps that I shop there so much I can sort of guess what they'll look like on? I will agree that photos of garments on people are much more useful than just a pic!
Deletebought a pair in primark which are vvvvv like the hourigan.....loving them!!! and. all for 23e....am loving it:-)
ReplyDeleteFantastic!! DIdn't see them when I was in there last week.
DeleteLove H by Hudson boots and shoes - they get the distressing just right and the leather is usually just gorgeous. I agree with the comment about the M&S website - I tried to upload a picture from there and it was so bad that I gave up and thought I'd rather wait till I go shopping and take my own photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat quality aren't they. And yes, tis a miracle anyone buys anything online from M&S! Having said that, their new advert is just fabulous. ABsolutely love love love it and SO much better than using slebs.
DeleteHi Kat, I have recently been searching for black and tan boots for this coming autumn/winter. Although I purchased great pairs last year (and will be wearing them again this year), I do like to buy new pairs (keeping up with current trends) each year. I'm really loving the hudson tan boots but still am holding out to find the perfect wedge trainer in tan. I did however find a pair of black leather boots in Aldo (rarely find anything usually in there) which have the right height of heel and have a back of animal print - sounds gross but online they look gorgeous! Have yet to see them in the flesh as my local store have no stock of them yet. Changing the subject to bags (another passion of mine) - I did purchase a beautiful animal print/black leather slouchy bag with studs from Zara recently, which I can't wait to use. This is unusual for me as most of my bags are mulberry (from a wonderfully kind husband) but when I saw it online I had to have it. Enjoying your ever inspiring posts ... keep them coming please. x
ReplyDeleteHave to say the Hudson are topping my list it has to be said. But I will keep looking. Totally with you on camel/tan wedge trainers. Am loving the Ash ones in leather but I've found a couple of much cheaper pairs and can't work out whether I should spend Ash prices (which have gone up massively from last year!) or just get the cheaper ones and then the Rileys as well. Would make sense......
DeleteI love my two Zara bags that I bought this year - especially the slouchy ponyskin leopard print one. However there's a Bicester trip on the cards in a couple of weeks and a new handbag is definitely on my list!
Thank you for the lovely comments! xxxx
Some nice inspiration there - 'specially the H by Hudson range...This nice weather is throwing me again, just as I thought that summer stuff was being relegated to the back of the wardrobe (having made a v brief appearance) we have a mini heatwave and all thoughts of A/W go out the window! Zella
ReplyDeleteThink we're ok this week though! Bring on the scarves. xx
DeleteOh my goodness - fab links. Thank you. They have just one size of the new look ones left and it happens to be my size but I think I may get the H by Hudson ones. Have you any idea if they are true to size?
ReplyDeleteCan't remember trying an H by Hudson pair on but am hopefully going to try some tomorrow so will let you know! xxx
DeleteI really like the Oasis ones & think I may just have to go & have a little looksie!!
ReplyDeleteHope you like them! I think they're absolutely fab. So so much nicer in the flesh I promise. x
DeleteI love tan boots and have loads of pairs; my favourites are from Ash and Steve Madden.
ReplyDeleteLove the glitter boots from New Look; I had a pair of shoes that I loved which, sadly, my H&S office chair had ruined the backs of, so, seeing as they were still perfectly wearable, I done a DIY glitter job on them...check out on my blog for a link to instructions x
Great idea!!
DeleteAnd fab to have another tan boot fan. xx
Being the proud possessor of 4 different types of tan boots - I still felt I needed a new addition to my wardrobe this season as one can never have enough heights/heel/tones! Having decided I couldn't quite splash out on the Hudson Horigans.....I eventually decided upon these from River Island - a slightly different shade of tan/beige (a nuance my husband cannot get!), but still perfectly neutral. And...they have stud detail but not OTT, zips on both sides. Very versatile and very comfy -recommend.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.riverisland.com/Online/women/shoes--boots/ankle-boots/dark-beige-stud-western-boots-624936
Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous. I'd defo wear them. Good buy.
DeleteAnd yes, completely agree, one can never have too many tan boots. Or tan bags for that matter..........
Hi Kat.
ReplyDeleteI have never commented on a blog before, but stumbled upon yours a few weeks ago and am absolutely hooked. Your writing style is brilliant and I love your fashion advice and photos (which are inspiring me to get back into looking stylish again - after 4 and a half years of almost constant breeding - 3 boys aged 4, 21 months and 8 weeks). Oh to be me again!!
On the subject of tan boots - I am loving the tan wedged ankle boot from Celtic Sheepskin. Have you seen them? - http://www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk/footwear/leather-boots-1879/leather-wedge-buckle-boots/. What do you think?
Thank you so so much for the lovely comments! And yes, I was with you on the breeding thing but there is light at the end of the tunnel I promise!
DeleteThe wedge boots from Celtic are really interesting actually. They look super comfy and will be beyond useful when it gets colder. Love the wedge and buckle detail. xxx
I am so with you on the whole 'tan boot' thing....I have had a pair for about 3 years now, orginally bought from Jones which I absoloutely ADORE! I am very sad to say that they are now looking 'tired' and so I need to invest in a new pair. Thanks for sharing these - I'm spoilt for choice. I even like the look of the New Look ones, somewhere I would ordinarily never shop for shoes! Great post :)
ReplyDeleteNew Look in my experience is completely hit and miss when it comes to shoes. Some are fab and others are beyond cheap and nasty. The dark tan boots are just great, I promise! And I know what it's like to have a pair of boots die on you. I have some tan long ones from La Redoute of all places which I just love and have had for 5 years, if not 6 actually. They are beyond their last legs. Sob xx
DeleteJust to throw something else into the mix....where do you stand on brogues this season??!!
ReplyDeleteI love brogues on other people and if I could afford a ton of shoes then I would definitely do either a brogue or a loafer. But money is of the essence and there are other shoes that I think just work better with the majority of my wardrobe. Does that make sense?! Clear as mud no doubt. Sorry! xx
DeleteI get you...!! Yes is a problem when a new pair of shoes ends up opening a new outfit can of worms!! Ha ha!!! xx
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