Boots

Eight pairs of boots: knee-high, over-the-knee and mid-calf, in suede effect and faux leather. Between £50 and £100, sized UK 2 to 9.

Free UK delivery on every order, no minimum spend, and free 14-day returns.

What boots do for a dress

They are the reason a summer dress becomes an autumn one. A floral midi with a sandal is July; the same dress with a knee-high boot is October, and it is the single cheapest way to double the wearing season of everything else in your wardrobe.

Seven of these eight are tagged for nights out, which is the honest description — these are dressing-up boots rather than commuting boots.

The three heights

Mid-calf — the most versatile and the easiest to wear. Works with a midi and with a mini, and it is the only height that suits every leg shape.

Knee-high — the most flattering with a mini or a short skirt, because it closes the gap and lengthens the line. Western and platform styles here.

Over-the-knee — the most striking and the most demanding. It only works with a mini or with a dress split high, and it needs to fit the thigh properly or it will slide down all night. One style here, in suede effect.

Heels you can stand in

Three of these have a block heel and two are platforms, and that is deliberate. A block heel distributes weight across the whole foot rather than a single point, which is the difference between wearing them for an evening and carrying them home. A platform reduces the effective angle of the foot, so a 10cm platform heel feels like a 6cm one.

If you are buying boots to dance in, buy the block or the platform. The pointed mid-calf is the dressier option for a seated evening.

Sizing

These run UK 2 to 9 (EU 35 to 42), with full measurements on the size guide.

Two things to check that people skip. Order to your usual shoe size — but if you intend to wear thick socks or tights, take the larger of two sizes. And for knee-high and over-the-knee styles, check the calf measurement, not just the foot. A boot that fits your foot and grips your calf is unwearable, and calf width varies far more between people than foot length does.

Delivery and returns

UK delivery is free on every order with no minimum spend, and takes around seven working days. Returns are free within 14 days with a prepaid label in the box — try them on carpet rather than outside so they stay returnable.

Where to look next

For the rest of the finishing pieces, shoes and accessories, jewellery and bags and clutches. For what to wear them with, mini and midi dresses.