Look don’t get excited because I don’t really have some kind of genius lighting-bolt answer to this.
What I mean by this question of course is if you are moving on from skinny jeans and their hellish strangulation and onto a more relaxed type of trouser, which need to be turned up at the ankle or you look bloody weird, what do you do about your ankles come winter time?
Last winter, on the coldest days, I basically did whatever I could to avoid wearing skinny jeans tucked into boots, which is the standard Winter Answer. I have a pair of UGG Adirondacks, snow boots, which I wore with my Gap Girlfriends a shirt and a sweater and just embraced the very dykey dash I cut. On other days I wore them with tights, mini skirts and oversized sweaters.
Other days I wore gym kit with Bridgedale hiking socks to close the ankle-to-trainer gap. Then some days I wore these David Lerner coated leggings, which look like absolute shit in this pic here, but they’re really comfortable and don’t look especially like leggings, but more like coated jeans.
Not cheap at £90 but very useful. Size up.
I’m also seriously considering a pair of these boots from Celtic and Co.
Please, please I am just not interested in hearing from UGG-style boot haters. Fine, if you think they’re slippers and ought never to be worn outdoors then okay, you’re entitled to your opinion. But I don’t agree.
YES I know they can’t be worn in the rain – you wear another outfit instead when it’s raining! Your rainy day outfit! I, personally, don’t think that occasionally wearing these boots on the school run or up to the shops makes you a hateful slattern.
But when it’s a horizontal polar wind and everyone’s got a cold and you just need to get from here to there without having a nervous breakdown, these boots are the answer.
You can wear them with your boyfriend/girlfriend jeans and a cosy Arket or Boden sweater and this H&M Isabel Marant rip-off coat (see below) while wearing eyeliner and earrings, possibly slightly chipped black nail varnish? and your best handbag and carry it all off with aplomb.
Plus these boots are made in the UK and they have a repair and re-sole policy, which is commendable.
Arket
Boden
H&M
You wear all kinds of wacky socks including fishnets, clearly.
I love the David Lerner leggings. Do you think they are just for skinnies? I am a pudgy 14 at the moment. Maybe with a long denim shirt….? I usually wear my biker boots on the days you describe as I am not really an Uggs-style fan (sorry, I don’t hate them but they are just not for me) – if I wore those with the David Lerner leggings, wouldn’t like I look like I was about to join the Hell’s Angels? As I say, I love them but even if I could get away with them, uncertain about footwear…..
Lisa no not at all – the sheen is very subtle. The only problem is that this is quite a niche American brand and they tend not to be especially generous with sizes – it’s very annoying. If you are a UK 14, if I were you I would go for an L and see how you get on but they might be uncomfortable 🙁
If I finish this tricky bit of work I might order them. I can fit into anything off the peg in the UK that’s a 14 and I see his L equates to a 16 so if they are coming in small it should be ok. I have always been a 10 or a 12. Can’t seem to shift the flab from the third and last baby – who is now 2!!
Lisa it’s HARD. I recently lost a lot of weight from a chest infection and I saw how little you have to eat to lose weight at our age… I was eating like just scraps every day. Horrendous! so hard.
Yes. Yes. You are absolutely right. I think I have got to go full on VLCD otherwise this suet ain’t gonna shift. I am reasonably active, only drink once a week and haven’t got a sweet tooth. I don’t think anyone I know would say I am a big eater. But I am over 40 now and only extreme measures are going to cut it. But thanks for the sympathy, you have cheered me up. You always look lovely, by the way. How much did you lose?
half a stone! it’s been quite a weird experience.
Aargh, Lisa – sorry to jump in but I feel your pain. Only one baby here but I want to shift the remaining wobble before having another (I could honestly cry right now). I’ve given up drinking and am vegan for most of the week (veggie at the weekends), but having lost some podge have reached a dispiriting plateau and I feel like my arse is gargantuan.
There is no real point to this comment except empathy and rage, I’m afraid.
Running and spinning = key to eating cake and cheese and not putting on weight (for me anyway). Only way. So annoying but true. Even if you’re the only one old enough in spin class who knows the lyrics to Salt n. Pepa ‘Push it” as it’s blasted out at you at 7am in a dark studio???
Like the look of that chunky navy Boden sweater. Bought 4 Uniqlo Merino wool round neck sweats this week (navy, cream, black, grey). Yes! Comment from husband, “do you really need 4?” Me, “yes, it’s capsule” Husband, “of course!” He’s learning. Thanks Esther for all your fab tips. My wardrobe is slowly transforming. As is Mr B’s…slowly but surely through stealth action.
Sasha sometimes our guile and cunning is all we’ve got. Enjoy those sweaters!!!! xxx
Hi, Do you mind me asking what size you got? I ordered one in large and it’s tiny. I’m a 12. But I do have another one in a large and it’s fine although the style is different. I really wonder if I should get xl?
I got all size small (I’m size 10) as wanted more fitted than slouchy look, for work better for tucking in skirts/trousers etc. They fit perfectly and are so bargainous, buying any less than 4 would be a travesty.
Half a stone? Holy cock! I find the loss of one stone equates to about one dress size. Yes, Sasha, I am in Week 1 of running. I’m fitter but no thinner (as yet)
I have slipper Uggs. They don’t even pretend to be boot Uggs. I still wear them outside. I went through the merry-go-round last winter of trying to find an alternative (Sorel etc.) but nothing was as warm and, in deepest darkest winter, warmth is the most important thing. Returning winter boots bought online is hideous, so these tips are great, thank you. Hope you are on the road to recovery.
Thanks Flopsy x
I think mini uggs/ugg-style boots look chic and honestly don’t care who disagrees. People who hate them don’t understand the proper *application* of them, i find.
Don’t go above the ankle, no weird colours or adornments, don’t buy cheap and don’t FOR FUCKS SAKE tuck skinny jeans into them. It’s not 2006. Smidge of bare ankle is key.
Signed,
Ugg Bore x
Hang on. There is an ankle-height, outdoor-purposed leather Ugg boot called LaVelle, which I bought last year and is perfect. It is sheepskin lined so you either don’t wear socks at all, or wear trainer socks and then whatever jeans you like. It’s not as rigger boot looking in real life as it may appear in the photo.
http://www.ugg.com/uk/lavelle/1013366.html?dwvar_1013366_color=BLK#icid=women_all_home_010517&start=21&cgid=women-view-all
Thanks Jane these look great x
You can’t reach me in deepest Devon, so shoot me if you want, but what is wrong with skinny jeans tucked into ankle boots? Love all the suggestions btw but can’t see me avoiding the skinny/ boot combo thing all winter.
Totally agree, Petra. I live in west London and I don’t have a clue how to avoid the skinny jean/boot combo during winter?!
I’m with you on the skinny jean, boot combo! Looks like I may be stuck in 2006 but I don’t care.
This tough old bird goes through most of London winters with bare ankles to the horror of some😂
You can wear ugg boats in the rain, you just have to spray them first with that stuff… It doesn’t render them waterproof in a torrential downpour but you can’t wear wellies just in case. And it really doesn’t rain that much in England.
I love those boots Jane and Esther the boots you are ordering are ace. I opt for a huge lace up black boot with sheepskin inside from Zara and skinny jeans because I need a big clumpy boot or else I look like an elephant tottering on a ball. But it doesn’t rain much? I live in Herts and honestly it has done nothing but piss it down for weeks. I almost thought I was back at home in Ireland again…
I just have to ask: what is wrong with a pop sock, people? I mean, obvs not American tan opaque, but I find a thin fleshy pop is just enough to stop my ankles turning blue- certainly in theAutumn, anyway.
what’s your stance on outrageously coloured thick socks? I decided to make them my regular ‘pop of colour’ thing in otherwise black-grey outfits last winter, and they were a godsend. Either just a really bold colour such as yellow or pink (and I mean PINK, not that millenial pink that’s in right now), or a nice pattern.
I wouldn’t pull them up so there’s absolutely NO gap between trousers/sock/shoes, of course, but having them slightly rolled up popping over the shoe was enough warmth to stand up against the slight cold of the maybe 1-2cm of skin left bare.
Then again I don’t live in the UK so I might be talking out of my arse, depending on how cold it really gots on the other side of the channel.
Nams I am very okay with brightly coloured socks – I did this all last winter. I thought it would be a bit of a hard sell to Spikers but I actually think now I might go for it
I’m ahead of the curve! Hurrah! Yes, tell all spikers to start wearing brightly coloured socks!!!
For Ugg haters / avoiders, getting the Ugg insoles and sticking them into your regular shoes / boots is like manna from heaven. (except warmer. and in your shoes.)
Hi Esther, you are so right so much of my life is just getting from A to B with out having a nervous breakdown ! I can’t wear Uggs because of my sore over pronating feet so I am going to buy some Fit Flop Mukluks and the fashion police can sod off.
EMMA DO IT. don’t forget to accessorise
Thanks Esther don’t worry I won’t x
I have a pair of Celtic & Co Aqualamb boots https://www.celticandco.com/womens/footwear/womens-sheepskin-boots/aqualamb-boots-calf which are water resistant / weather proofed and i LOVE them! Don’t think you can get them in the shortie length though. I’ve had mine for 9 years and they’re still in great condition! I highly recommend them.
Thank you Jules!
I too bought four of the uniqlo crew necks out of sympathy for my 39 weeks pregnant state and wore the Navy yesterday having popped the sport on Thursday. Sadly, I forgot I also live in the countryside and have a labrador puppy so it has a rip to the boob and mud splatters. I’ve explained to my husband I really do need to buy a replacement straight away as it’s CAPSULE DAMMIT. I think he took it as a hormonal post-birth rant and accepted it. I am rambling but thank you for capsule yet again. Great sweaters.
Esther. This is not shoe/ankle related but I desperately need your help. I bought this Uniqlo flannel dress in navy blue, and I adore the feel of it, but are you really supposed to wear it unbuttoned like a dressing gown? Buttoned, it’s kind of like a weird nightdress but SO SOFT. Have I made a terrible error?
https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-flannel-long-sleeve-shirt-dress-400548.html
I don’t think so but you will just have to try lots of ways to make it work. long and opened over clothes like this is fine – or buttoned and belted? I will keep thinking. Personally I would wear it loose unbelted with bikers and a denim/leather jacket over the top x
I’m going to try it tomorrow over a highly patterned blue and black Gudrun Sjoden tunic with opaque tights and some incredibly mad sequinned shoes. I will be easy to spot tomorrow, then, for any readers who may be in the Hampstead area at lunchtime.
Esther! I need more trousers and shoe combos for winter desperately, especially with focus on to-ankle-or-not-to-ankle. Am only new to looking at wardrobe combos that don’t involve skinny jeans as I just *cannot* anymore, post-pregnancy, but how to handle the “very dykey dash”, especially for work? I don’t know how to trust Pinterest for size 12/14 5″3 women? What to do?
how smart is work
Work in general is fairly casual (work in software), but I’m more comfortable with a bit more effort. Guys here would wear hoodies and jeans all week, I prefer long blazer, jeans or trousers, with brogues or runners. Flats are a must. But styling myself to keep a feeling of femininity is tough. Especially when you stray from the skinny jean, which I’ve relied on A LOT.
Changing up from a reliance on a certain item is always really hard. If I worked in software I would invest in smart joggers and a lot of fine knit merino sweaters
esther. i just had to tell you how brilliant your writing is. it really is. has nothing to do with ankles. but also i have to know, as a continental european: how do you feel about the brexit? are you sad at all? are you confused? do you know how fucked up it is? can you feel it? i feel you as a cool londoner ( and a cool engländer) could provide an answer. i have lived in london for six years and yes i know, you can do without the continent or you think you can. but we (europe) always saw you as a friend and we feel sad that you didn’t return the sentiment. but whatevs. and now…will you be okay? are you worried? so many questions. OMG sorry sorry you don’t have to be an UK ambassador now. you don’t have to explain boris or the nhs bus. we are sad, i want you to know this. actually we were sad. we are okay now. we feel a bit sorry for you. we will be okay. will you?
ps. i want to read more of your writing. i know people love your capsule shit and ankl .tips or whatevs but i want more of your fabulous sentences and thoughts innit. xx
Marsbars thank you for this, great to hear from you. Well… do you know I try very hard not to be at all political here. I don’t make jokes about Boris or the NHS or left or right or anything because I don’t want to alienate anyone who might not agree with me. I have very few strong opinions anyway.
But, since you asked, I will tell you that I voted to stay in the EU and I was very surprised that the country as a whole voted to leave.
I am a bit worried I suppose, but only because I don’t like uncertainty and I am a bit annoyed that Brexit negotiations will now take up so much of the government’s time, when there are more important things to sort out.
Having said that, I think people who voted to leave probably did so for good reasons. There are a lot of people who put it down to racism or stupidity or something, but … I don’t know… I think Leavers felt passionately and they deserve to have their votes counted.
Beyond that, I just don’t know. Yes I feel sad about it, yes I know how fucked up it is – yes I do feel it. It’s something I quite often talk about with my husband – but not really here.
I hope that is reassuring?
If you want to read more from me, I wrote two e-books! The Bad Cook and the Bad Mother. Neither of those is political either, but I’m sure you’ll like them anyway.
Esther x
thank you for the answer, esther! i know this blog is not about politics, and it’s not supposed to be, but i guess i just wanted to know. i appreciate the answer and will keep reading whatever you write about. xx
Thanks Marsbars x