Let’s be honest, this summer hasn’t been quite the one we were hoping for, with a host of sporting disappointments and an endless string of overcast and drizzle. Dreams of days spent on sun-soaked al fresco terraces and pub garden sessions have been unceremoniously replaced by cosy evenings in, and those who braved festival and outdoor concert crawls have too often ended up in a rain-soaked mess.
But perhaps the most tragic side effect of this unseasonably bad weather is that our summer wardrobes remain largely untouched. The sandals, shorts, swimsuits, and lightweight dresses that we’d painstakingly collected over months now proved as impractical as they would have been on a normal December day. Hopping on the first flight out of here to the beach has never seemed more appealing.
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But one thing we long-suffering Brits are extremely good at is making the best of a bad situation – and in this particular instance, that means facing the season’s fashion challenges head-on and getting creative with our styling.
And so, one totally unexpected shoe style surpassed all others to become a fashion staple for summer 2024… Sandals aside: boots are officially back.
Depop reported an “unprecedented” 8% increase in searches for Boots between June and July 2024, Elle Editor-in-chief Naomi Pike attributes this to one big factor: “To borrow a line from B*Witched, ‘Blame the weatherman!’ It’s no coincidence that boots are now the must-have footwear for getting through the rainiest summers of our lives,” she explains.
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Totem crocodile-effect leather ankle boots
Paris Texas star embroidered embossed metallic leather cowboy boots
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Balenciaga Le Cagole studded crinkled leather ankle boots
Leather cowboy, biker and loose knee-length styles are now everywhere (and not just on festival-goers). Not only are they warm and waterproof, but they also look cool, especially when paired with bare legs and this season’s bubble hemlines and bohemian-style dresses. Take inspiration from Sienna Miller, Dua Lipa and Alexa Chung, of course, Charli XCX, whose “brat girl summer” aesthetic almost demands pairing tattered biker tops with grungy micro minis.
“In East London, where I live, chunky biker boots are king – the bigger and bolder the better,” says Pike. “They’re more popular than the Samba or last year’s Birkenstock Bostons. To really get into the mood, I recommend shopping vintage. With more brands now offering multiple calf sizes, there are more than enough boots to choose from.”
But if you prefer designer shoes, Miu Miu’s brown suede biker boots are a great choice; at £1,800 a pop, they’ll be worth wearing all year round. “Pair them with an above-the-knee pleated skirt to show off a bit of leg, and an oversized bomber jacket when it’s chilly,” suggests Pike. Don’t forget to spray on some suede protector in case it rains.
Meanwhile, London-based fashion PR executive Gaby Sacco has found herself wearing the cropped style on repeat. “Finally, last winter’s investment is paying off. I’ve been wearing my trusty Manolo Blahnik Bay Lowes and Totem mid-heel boots more than I ever thought possible,” she says. “Paired with an oversized blazer, it’s a simple formula that always looks smart and well-thought-out, and depending on how bad the weather is, they go with anything from midi skirts and dresses to jeans. I’ve also added another pair of boots to my collection: Dallas Design in brown suede from Khaite, purchased from Bessette, a new luxury shopping platform that resells slightly damaged stock at low prices.”
Needless to say, we’re all dying to slip on our milkmaid dresses, linen sets and barely-worn sandals right now, but we know that at least we can get by in style with the shoes we have now until the British weather is on our side. But now more than ever, adding a new pair of boots seems as smart an idea as any…
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Clementina Jackson is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK, covering everything from fashion and catwalk trends to buzzworthy brands and cult products you need to know about (and buy before they sell out). She also commissions first-person and long-form fashion features, as well as overseeing and testing the latest innovations in the industry. Clementina previously worked as the Digital Fashion Editor at , where she profiled high-end designers, interviewed everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Jane Fonda, and launched a franchise highlighting size-conscious fashion. During this time, she was also named a recipient of the PPA 30 Under 30 Awards. With over six years in journalism, Clementina has also contributed to magazines such as, , and , covering everything from luxury travel, lifestyle and restaurants to photography and interiors.
