4 Fresh Takes on Classic Boots I’m Buying Right Now

Kristen Nichols, Who What Wear’s managing editor, is a
staunch advocate of high-waist vintage denim, classic footwear, and
cropped tweed jackets, and you better believe she only adds trends
to her outfit as she sees fit. “I see my style as ever-evolving,
and I’m not afraid to embrace new trends, but if I’m making a
big investment, I choose classic pieces over items that only have a
one-season shelf life,” she explains.

Given that Kristen and I both work in Who What Wear’s Los
Angeles office, I have the daily pleasure of seeing all of the
polished looks she puts together, and I’m constantly taking
notes. Currently on her radar? The fall boot lineup from
PAIGE. Personally, I’ve been following the brand’s shoe
evolution since they launched, and I was thrilled to hear that
Kristen was eyeing them too. She showed me her top four favorites,
how she’s styling them, and offered some nuggets of styling
wisdom.

Pants? Boots? Boots that look like pants? Whatever you want to
call it, we’ll take it. “I took inspiration from one of Carolyn
Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic ’90s looks that paired a black V-neck
sweater with a midi skirt and over-the-knee boots,” Kristen told
me when I asked her about the genesis of this ensemble. At first
glance, a stiletto boot can be a little intimidating, but when
styled in a classic way, it’s actually super easy to pull off. It
really comes down to finding the right proportions, Kristen says:
“I find it’s always pretty foolproof to layer them under a slip
skirt that falls below the knees.”

Let’s take a moment to appreciate this outfit: It’s part
pink, part chocolate-brown, and there’s a chunky gold necklace
involved. In theory, this is simply a sweater-and–skinny jeans
outfit. Not rocket science, right? But it’s Kristen’s
thoughtful details that turn it up a notch. “Sticking to one
color family always reads as elevated, which is why I chose to pair
these chocolate jeans with brown boots, as opposed to black,” she
notes. And hey, if black is your thing,
you’re in luck.

Ah, the classic ankle boot: It’s basically the LBD of
footwear. Kristen noted that a black suede boot is particularly
essential to help mix up the textures when you’re leaning into
leather: “All-leather looks will be one of the biggest trends
this fall—and it happens to be one I’m most excited to
incorporate into my wardrobe this season. To pull it off, I love
the idea of mixing leather in different colors, like the cream and
black paired here.”

An over-the-knee flat boot is an absolute staple in Kristin’s
wardrobe. It also happens to be the perfect footwear to style
skinny jeans with. Why? It creates a sleek line, making it an
ultra-flattering style to wear if you want a streamlined effect (or
if you’re feeling just a little equestrian). Kristen noted that
balance between the boot and the printed jacket is what makes this
look feel elevated: “Skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots were
spotted all over the fall 2019 runways, so they were my starting
point for this outfit. This toile jacket in a luxe jacquard is the
perfect statement piece to add dimension to the look.”
Note PAIGE’s silver touch on the heel again? Subtle, sure, but
also chic AF.