Would You Wear Ankle Booties?

Dec 11, 2007 @ 11:32am

Today's Streetwalker reminded us of a pressing question we've never managed to ask:

Would you wear ankle booties?

On the one hand, they're incredibly impractical and sort of ridiculous - what good is disguising your ankles if you're doing it with a massive cuff of leather or suede? They look almost medieval in their design, and they're also not that comfortable for stomping.

On the other hand, they can look incredibly chic - especially since the medieval thing is actually a big influence on this season, especially if Burberry and Balenciaga are any indication.

We've been gifted a very steady pair of gray heeled ankle booties -

But can we actually wear them?

Or is this one trend that screams "trying"?

posted by xxi

Dec 11, 2007 11:48AM

I hate this stupid trend and think it just looks ridiculous no matter what labels name is attached to it. Don't fall for it! Go with your gut and stay away!

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 11:58AM

this summer, i went to topshop for a not-in-ny kate moss piece and i walked out with a pair of marigold booties instead. later this year i picked up a pair of purple manolos. needless to say, i would and do wear my ankle boots -- colorful as they are -- with pride.

posted by Angela

Dec 11, 2007 12:10PM

Well, everyone is trying, on some level, aren't they?
Personally, I think ankle boots are hot. Great, both casual and dressed up. Go for it!

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 12:13PM

ugh, ankle boots are so gross.

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 12:14PM

What about those lace up heeled oxfords? I just bought some and I love them so far...is anyone else wearing these, and how? I have been pairing mine with skinny trousers and a big sweater

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 12:26PM

yes to ankle boots!

and yes to lace up oxfords! i just bought a black pair and they look great with EVERYTHING!

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 12:29PM

I think ankle boots are HIDEOUS and I would much rather wear booties if only I could find a pair I really like and am able to afford.

posted by arcane

Dec 11, 2007 12:32PM

I own several pair and they always look great. I really don't consider ankle boots a trend. I mean, just because the rest of the world only recently caught on doesn't mean I have to stop liking them....right?

posted by shinyredthermos

Dec 11, 2007 12:37PM

I think there is a practical side to them. It is fall/winter and purely for the sake of keeping your feet dry they seem to be a better option than pumps. Especially if youre wearing pants. With a short dress they can possibly scream VICTIM. But, i think with most things that if it looks good on you go ahead and work it.

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 12:44PM

i love them! it's not hard to pull a black pair with black tights off at all!

posted by mpw

Dec 11, 2007 12:48PM

I think they're kind of weird looking and make me look stumpy when worn with a skirt. I suppose I'd wear them with jeans, but then what's the point?

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 12:58PM

Lace up heeled oxfords rock, but I only wear my ankle booties with pants or jeans,

posted by kaytied

Dec 11, 2007 1:01PM

i love, love, love my ankle boots.

posted by Laia

Dec 11, 2007 1:09PM

I just got a pair and I absolutely love them.

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 1:14PM

yes, just bought a pair of loubs on sale last week and i've been wearing them non-stop.

posted by fashionursta

Dec 11, 2007 1:35PM

I have always been wearing ankle booties since before they were "on trend". I wore them with a black ball gown and felt so "French", (please don't laugh- i'm sharing my deepest fantasies with you ; ), kind of medieval, and empowered, instead of spindly strappy sandals. I love them and have them in many incarnations. The ones in the pic are sexy and not for stomping. But there are others that are. And ankle boots do really keep your ankles warm. Right now I am favoring ones that are a little loose around the ankle, kind of slouchy. Definitely wear them!

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 1:36PM

Everyone in London is wearing them. They are just what you need for those in between shoes & boots days, so much more fun than normal heels and have more of an edge than flats.

posted by fashionursta

Dec 11, 2007 1:37PM

btw, who is the maker of the boot in the pic?

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 2:17PM

I don't understand why there is such an issue with ankle boots. I have some and love them, and if you wear them right they can be very comfortable and not at all fashion victim-y. I suppose they aren't for everyone, but on some girls they look great.

posted by fay

Dec 11, 2007 4:05PM

Yes, I adore them. So easy to wear.

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 4:06PM

Yes, I have about a half-dozen pairs. I bought my first ones at Marks and Spencer in Oxford Street about a dozen years ago (red suede for 24.99 pounds: my mother called them "elf boots") and I really like the look. They keep your feet warm, they look good with jeans and pants and the right skirts, and they're easy to get on and off. What's not to like?

posted by Natalie Hormilla

Dec 11, 2007 4:19PM

Dear Fashionursta,

The boot in the picture is Jeffrey Campbell.

posted by sam alex

Dec 11, 2007 5:21PM

I'm not saying this in a snotty manner at all - but I'm surprised this question has just now been posed. I am currently in Northeast Ohio, the land of three-year-old trends, and I see ankle boots everywhere.

That being said, I love them, bought a pair - and never wear them. Every time I have the perfect outfit picked out, I end up switching to high boots at the last minute. I just feel insecure in them. They make my legs look like upside-down bowling pins: all thick on top, and progressively narrower until they end in a little teeny shoe ;)

posted by Ginge

Dec 11, 2007 5:40PM

My sister and I took a vow a couple of years ago that if we ever designed a collection or something like that we would NEVER do ankle boots.
Although, I will admit that they've grown on me a BIT over the past couple of years. The first time I thought they looked good was wen Sienna Miller wore some black ones with black opaque tights to, if I recall correctly, the Casanova premiere in London.
I think that's the key - unless you're wearing pants, pair them with matching tights/stockings/socks/whatever.

My general dislike for them stems from the fact that they're unflattering, but I guess that really depends on where they hit on the ankle, and how great your legs are to begin with. I can't wear anything that makes my legs look stubbier than they already are.

posted by guest

Dec 11, 2007 7:27PM

ankle boots are on top of my list of things that manage to look good on nobody.

posted by Ladydipset

Dec 11, 2007 11:23PM

yea i wud wear them..theres so cute..i plan to get a pair pretty soon..

posted by guest

Dec 12, 2007 2:06AM

I LOVE ankle boots! So hot (unless you have fat legs). Even then, go for it! Work it!

posted by dumbbrunette5

Dec 12, 2007 3:08AM

i have a pair of lace of oxfords (which i guess arent that different from regular ankle boots) that i bought a year ago and i really like them. i live in thailand so its a way to satisfy my boot addiction without covering my whole leg and dying of heat