How to wear boots: which trousers and which skirt go with them

Summer is over, the sandals are packed away, and suddenly there are boots in the hallway again. And with them the same question in front of the mirror every time: which trousers actually go with them without making your legs look short. Here you will find where the shaft should end, which jeans work with boots, what goes with a skirt and a dress and what to watch out for when caring for them.

What makes boots so wearable in autumn

Boots are the only shoes that go with almost everything between September and March. They keep your feet warm, cope with wet tarmac and look just as right with plain trousers as they do with a dress.

The reason is the sole. A chunky lug sole gives every outfit a counterweight at the bottom, and in autumn that counterweight is often missing when there is a wide jumper or a big jacket on top.

The picture above shows exactly that: a knee high shaft in Brown, two buckled straps as the only detail and a heavy sole underneath. The style wears calmly even though it is tall.

The rule for your trousers: where the shaft ends

The most important question is not the colour but the point where the shaft and the hem of your trousers meet. There are exactly two solutions that work reliably, and one that almost always goes wrong.

Trousers tucked into the shaft. This is the safe option with tall boots. The trousers should be slim enough not to bunch up inside the shaft, otherwise the fabric creases at the calf.

Trousers over the shaft. This works with wide legs when the hem covers the shaft completely. Half covered is the case that goes wrong: if a strip of leg or sock flashes between hem and shaft, the leg looks divided and therefore shorter.

With ankle high or calf high boots it is easier. There the hem may end just above the top of the shaft, because the break sits so low that it does not cut through the line of your leg. To see what is there right now, have a look at the trousers and skirts.

Which jeans go with boots

Straight cut jeans with a hem just above the shaft are the most understated combination and work with every style. They need no adjusting and create no break.

Wide leg jeans look particularly balanced with a chunky sole, because both pieces have volume. The only thing that matters is the length: the hem may rest on the shaft, but it should not disappear behind it.

Slim styles and leggings belong inside the shaft, not over it. You will find a selection in the jeans and leggings, and further cuts in the fabric trousers. How this works with cargo trousers is covered in detail in the article on what goes with cargo trousers.

Skirt, dress and skort with boots

With a skirt and a dress there is always a visible gap between hem and shaft, and that gap is not a mistake but the actual styling device. It just must not turn out too narrow.

As a rule of thumb: the taller the shaft, the shorter the hem may be. A short skirt goes with a knee high boot, while a calf high style calls for a midi whose hem ends well below the top of the shaft.

Opaque tights in the colour of the boot let leg and shaft merge into one line and lengthen it. You will find matching pieces in the skirts and skorts and in the dresses.

Brown, Black and everything in between

Black is the uncomplicated route. A black boot disappears under dark trousers and does not get in the way even when there is a lot of colour on top.

Brown is the warmer tone and the more common one this autumn. It goes with Beige, Cream, Khaki, rust red and all earthy tones, and with light trousers it looks friendlier than Black, which cuts off hard in the same place.

Mixing the two is no problem as long as a second piece picks up the tone. A brown bag with black boots looks intentional, a single brown shoe in an otherwise black outfit looks more like a coincidence. There is more on this in the article about combining taupe, which describes the same logic for the tones in between.

Suede look or smooth: the difference in everyday life

Smooth surfaces are the easier part to care for. A damp cloth takes off street dust and salt marks, after that drying at room temperature is enough.

Suede look is more sensitive to moisture and to rubbing at the ankles. In return it looks softer and breaks the hardness of a chunky sole, which works particularly well with knitwear.

For the layers on top it is worth having a look at the knitted jackets and cardigans; how to care for knitwear is explained in the article styling and caring for knitwear. All styles are in the shoes, the newest pieces in NEW IN.

Frequently asked questions

Which trousers go with boots?

The safest choice is straight cut trousers with a hem that ends just above the top of the shaft. With tall boots you tuck slim trousers into the shaft, with wide legs you let the hem cover the shaft completely. It should never be only half covered.

Which jeans go with boots?

Straight jeans with a hem at ankle height work with every style. Wide jeans look particularly balanced with a chunky sole, slim jeans and leggings belong inside the shaft.

Do boots go with a dress and a skirt?

Yes, and the gap between hem and shaft is part of it. The taller the shaft, the shorter the hem may be; opaque tights in the tone of the boot lengthen the leg even more.

From how many degrees do you wear boots?

From around fifteen degrees boots are comfortable, below that they become the obvious choice. In wet weather a chunky lug sole is the real advantage, because it grips far better on wet leaves than a flat sole.

Which sizes are available in the tall boots and boots?

The styles run in sizes 36 to 41. If you are between two sizes, go for the larger one with knee high shafts, because thicker socks and tights need extra room.

How do I care for boots in suede look?

Let them dry, then take off dry dirt with a soft brush and raise the surface in one direction only. Do not rub wet marks but press them out and let them air dry, never on a radiator. The care label in the item is always what counts.