Ankle boots | Smart and stylish for travel

While it’s important to be comfortable when exploring a new location, if your explorations are more urban than bush, an ankle boot ups the style factor of your outfit.

Ankle boots go with everything. Whether it’s a sport luxe jogger, skinny jeans, leggings, boyfriend jeans or a dress and tights, boots will always look better than sneakers. For some outfit examples, have a look at 5 ways to wear compression socks on long-haul flights, where I included outfits with a biker boot, heeled boot and flat boot.

My suitcase often contains both a pair of sneakers and a pair of flat or biker boots. Both are comfortable enough to wear when doing a lot of walking, but I find boots can exude a bit more personality for when you don’t want to blend in with all the other tourists. You can look a touch dressier in your flat boots, add a bit of attitude in your biker boots or stand out in the crowd in something different.

If I can fit them in, I’ll take my heeled ankle boots too. Not as good for walking all day, but a heel is so flattering when you want to look your best. I have the Therapy ones below (3), but love them so much and get so much wear out of them that I have just upgraded to the Country Road ones (5). They are almost identical, but are made of the most deliciously buttery leather. They are subtle but stylish and incredibly versatile. And isn’t that a key factor in deciding whether they belong in your suitcase?

Ankle boots with a heel

These Witchery boots (2) are perfection. They also come in a divine grey, which I included in What to pack for the Easter long weekend – Melbourne edition.

Straps or buckles add some extra interest and a tiny bit of biker boot inspiration.

 

1   Senso Nile I
2   Witchery Piper ankle boot
3   Therapy Idaho
4   Wittner Fontana
5  Country Road Aubery ankle boot

 

Flat ankle boots

Chelsea boots absolutely never go out of style (3) and (5). So easy to pull on and off and with just a tiny heel. The Wittner ones (2) are ideal if you fancy a touch of boho. And don’t tell anyone, but Rubi Shoes does a boot remarkably similar to the grey Country Road one (4). Shhhh!

1   Therapy Perry
2   Wittner Money
3   Rubi Shoes Danny
4   Country Road Sabina
5   Walnut Soho

 

Biker boots

I do love a biker boot. I have no idea what came over me when I bought a pair a couple of years ago, since I am more “prim and proper” than “urban grunge”, but I wear them heaps! It probably helps that they are loose and comfy. A bit like wearing gumboots actually, but way cooler.

If you’re not sure, then try a cheaper pair. The ones I bought were from Asos for under $100. Asos has a fantastic range of biker boots and I find their sizing charts very accurate.

 

1   Naturalizer Mona boot
2   Asos Buffalo Mexico biker boot
3   Country Road Amelia biker boot
4   Betts Snow biker boot
5    Asos Dune Random biker boot

 

Ankle boots with something different

These boots are where it’s at if you don’t mind a bit of attention. Awesome shoes can be a great conversation-starter when you’re travelling don’t you think? Also perfect if you prefer a very neutral minimal travel wardrobe with accessories expressing your personality.

I adore the grey snakeskin (2), because while they look super funky and full of urban cool, the grey tones are so practical and will go with everything. And yes the Asos wellies (1) are rubber/plastic, but at $39 I think they look really stylish. And so practical for wet weather!

But to really stand out you have to go leopard don’t you think?

1   Asos Gamble wellies –
2   Walnut Greville ankle boot
3   Target Valerie ankle boot
4   Witchery Aria ankle boot
5  Walnut Chelsea short boot

Which ones are your favs?