While it’s important to be comfortable when exploring a new location, if your explorations are more urban than bush, an ankle boot ups the style factor of your outfit.
Ankle boots go with everything. Whether it’s a sport luxe jogger, skinny jeans, leggings, boyfriend jeans or a dress and tights, boots will always look better than sneakers. For some outfit examples, have a look at 5 ways to wear compression socks on long-haul flights, where I include outfits with a biker boot, heeled boot and flat boot.
Ankle boots for travel
My suitcase often contains both a pair of sneakers and a pair of flat or biker boots. Both are comfortable enough to wear when doing a lot of walking, but I find boots can exude a bit more personality for when you don’t want to blend in with all the other tourists. You can look a touch dressier in your flat boots, add a bit of attitude in lace-up boots, or stand out in the crowd in something different.
If I can fit them in, I’ll take my heeled ankle boots too. Not as good for walking all day, but a heel is so flattering when you want to look your best. They are subtle but stylish and incredibly versatile. And isn’t that a key factor in deciding whether they belong in your suitcase?
Heeled boots
There’s a boot for everyone here with prices ranging from $90 (2) to $270 (4). I love the combination of black leather with a wood look on the sole and heel (1 and 4), but my pick is the dark grey (5). I have flat grey ankle boots and find it a brilliantly versatile colour.
1 Sol Sana Leo
2 Lavish Nero
3 Jo Mercer Fierce Chelsea
4 Jo Mercer Notable
5 Jo Mercer Cliff
Flat ankle boots
Chelsea boots absolutely never go out of style (1), (4) and (5). So easy to pull on and off and with just a tiny heel. This slim fit style is particularly gorgeous with maxi skirts and dresses for a bohemian look.
The two Country Road styles, (2) and (3), are classics without being boring and CR is always beautiful quality. I’ve had two pairs of their black ankle boots for years and still going strong. The chunky look of (2) would be so cute with shorter skirts and tights.
This kind of look –
1 Jo Mercer Kasey
2 Country Road Alessi
3 Country Road Eliza
4 Windsor Smith Fent
5 Eos Nila-W
Lace-up boots
Hands up who can remember Dr Martens from the 90s? I was definitely not cool enough, but would love a pair now! Especially these embroidered ones (1)!
There’s a lot of lace-ups around this season and they can be as refined or stompy as you like. I would wear these styles in the same way as traditional ankle boots – with leggings/tights and a tunic/skirt/dress.
1 Wittner Billie embroidered
2 Dr Martens 1460 8 Eye
3 Jo Mercer Dakira navy
4 Top End Kayak black
5 Gorman Daisy
Ankle boots with something different
These boots are where it’s at if you don’t mind a bit of attention. Awesome shoes can be a great conversation-starter when you’re travelling don’t you think? Also perfect if you prefer a very neutral minimal travel wardrobe with accessories expressing your personality.
I adore the teal colour of (2)! What a funky colour! Perfect to brighten up a monochrome outfit or get into some colour clash if you’re bold.
(1), (4) and (5) are twists on the traditional – (1) with its fold up-fold down fur-lined front, (4) is like a mullet with plain black business at the front and party cheetah at the back, and (5) is a boho mix of textures and metallics.
But for the full Stevie Nicks you’ve got to go with (3) don’t you? I’d love to wear these with a swishy long skirt.
1 I Love Billy Tulsa
2 Django & Juliette Split
3 I Love Billy Miriam
4 Rollie Twin zip
5 Django & Juliette Singer
Which ones are your faves?
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