Help, the call came, I love booties but can’t style them. I’m only seeing them with cuffed jeans. Do I wear cuffed jeans? I can’t wear cuffed jeans into the office…
She trailed off. Understandably confused.
The bootie can be adorable. Hip and cool and fun. (Not to mention a fashionable way to cover up the fact you haven’t had a pedicure in a few weeks.)
Yet she had a point. Pinterest seems to style the stinkin’ things with cuffed jeans. I will go ahead and ‘fess up I am anti-cuffed jeans. If you lived through the ’80s and ’90s fashion mishaps like I did, you’re reluctant to jump on the cuffed jean bandwagon. Not to mention, unless you’re very slim, it’s not all that flattering for your figure.
Alas, does that mean we leave the bootie behind? Of course not, say I! Embrace the bootie.
Here are a few savvy options to style that bootie you’ve been eyeing for fall:
1. Bootie/skinny jean with oversized sweater/jacket. Wear a skinny jean with your bootie of choice and let the bootie cover the hem of the jean. Stick with a neutral colored bootie and play with color at the top of your outfit. If you go with zany colors for boots you could end up looking clownish. I personally like the look of the tone-on-tone bootie/jean because it will make your legs look a mile long.
2. Bootie with dress (skirt). This absolutely can be done if you don’t have heavy calves (if your legs are thick below the knee, this look will make them appear heavier and you should try the jean look instead). I love the look of a bootie with a dress. And you can see it can be done from a work professional look to all the way to boho weekend wear. (And if you find these Vince Camuto booties from the top two photos anywhere, please let me know!)
3. If you must cuff, make sure it’s the same jean color underneath. There is a way to subtly cuff your jean if you’re desperate to try the trend. I’ve seen dark wash jeans with the same color underneath as the outside and when those jeans are cuffed the look is more of a trouser than an ’80s girl band. You still show off your bootie but manage to do it with sophistication. (Caitlin from Southern Curls & Pearls does it perfectly!) This is still a no-go for work in my book.
Do you own booties? What are your favorite pair? How do you style yours?
As an FYI, Nordstrom always has great booties, but not always at great prices. However, several of their great pair are on sale for over half off including these from Sam Edelman (one of my favorite Nordstrom brands), these cuffed wedges from Jessica Simpson (but note that wedges are harder to style!), and then a bargain deal on these Kasper and Impo Shiloh boots each for $39 at DSW.
Photos Courtesy of StyleState, Southern Curls & Pearls, A Spoonful of Style, and The Sweetest Thing
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