Is It Just Me, or Are Fashion People Everywhere Skipping Sandals for This Cooler Year-Round Silhouette?

There's one shoe style I return to again and again, regardless of the season, and that's boots. Let's be honest. In the UK, a shower-free summer is never guaranteed. A cloudy morning can turn into anything, from a light mist to a full-blown downpour. Although I love flirting with trendy thong sandals and rope-soled options, a summer outfit with boots is my go-to when the temperature dips and the skies inevitably turn.

Now, I know what you're thinking: Summer styling plus shoe options equals sandals. I love a pair of sandals as much as the next person, but boots, especially when paired with warm-weather outfits, provide a level of practicality needed for British summertime. Plus, timeless boots are guaranteed to go with everything in your capsule wardrobe. That's a bonus!

It's not just us Brits who love a summer outfit with boots. Having deep dived into my social feeds, I noticed some of the most stylish dressers, from Paris and London to Copenhagen and L.A., are all booted this summer too. All that's left now is for you to pick your player! Will it be cowboy boots or a moto biker style? Traditional riding boots or classic knee-high boots? Thankfully, all styles seem to be having their moment in the sun. As for how to wear them, keep scrolling to see seven of my favorite summer outfit-and-boot pairings for the season ahead.

Summer Outfits With Boots

1. Frye Boots + Jorts + Off-the-Shoulder Tee

Style Notes: I first discovered Frye boots on American fashion-person TikTok, and I've been obsessed ever since. There's a vintage je ne sais quois to them that brings elevation to any outfit. A key rule that I try to stick to when styling jorts and boots is that it's okay to show some leg! By leaning into this look, your outfit will have a relaxed pull-on-and-go feel. These boots also work just as well with a maxi or miniskirt on cooler days as they do with a dropped-waist dress when the sun's out.

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2. Brown Knee-High Boots + White Linen Skirt + Striped Tee

Style Notes: At some point, I feel like we've all owned a pair of brown knee-high riding boots. They haven't been on my radar for a while, but now, they are firmly back, and I can't wait to work out multiple ways to style them. A pared-back, simple style, this silhouette perfectly balances playfulness with sophistication. With so much of your lower half covered, they'll keep you warm in cooler temperatures.

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3. Brown Moto Boots + Lace Skirt + Graphic Tee

Style Notes: When I bought my biker boots last year, I never thought that the moto trend would be as big as it is now. Easy to style, they're shoes I turn to as soon as the weather starts to grey. For a casual look, wear them tucked under jeans and with a denim jacket in the Canadian tuxedo kind of way. When it warms, just switch your bottom half for shorts! A foundational look to my off-duty wardrobe is styling these as Millie Holmes (pictured above) has, wearing these boots with a graphic tee and lace maxi skirt for a look as elevated as it is cool.

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4. Black Pointed-Toe Heeled Boots + Black Lace Skirt + Black Leather Jacket

Style Notes: An all-black look is considered chic for any occasion, and for me, Tobi Ojora absolutely aces the long-skirt-and-boot combination. The key to pulling off a long skirt with boots is to ensure the hem of your skirt falls just below the tops of your boots so no skin shows when you're standing. Finish the look with pointed-toe boots and a touch of leather via a jacket, and you've created an outfit that's as cool as it is polished.

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5. Square-Toe Boots + Bermuda Shorts

Style Notes: Some boots can feel harder to style than others. Enter square-toe biker boots. If jorts and the Gen Z aesthetic aren't your thing, these Sons of Anarchy adjacent shoes might not seem like the obvious choice. But styled right, they can shift from tough to cool. Take a cue from Izabella Lilly (pictured above) and create contrast. Think khaki Bermuda shorts, a crisp white tee and a soft milk-brown bag to create a look that feels as casual as it does considered.

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6. Biker Boots + Ruffled Miniskirt + Scooped-Neck Vest

Style Notes: Temi Ojora's approach to moto boots is a master class in modern edge. With the boots' clompy soles and heavy buckles, this outfit combination is often seen on the festival circuit, as it creates a dressed-down take that still feels directional. If you're looking to elevate the boots even more, why not pair them with fresh white jeans, a crisp tee and a soft suede bag? Sometimes, simple really is best!

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7. Brown Boots + Broderie Skirt + Barn Jacket

Style Notes: Remember when I said boots work hard with both your summer and winter wardrobes? Chloe Butler proves just that. Pairing pieces that we gravitate towards in autumn, like a barn jacket and tall leather boots, with summer pieces such as a broderie miniskirt and striped tee means you can make your capsule wardrobe work so much harder for you. This is a smart way to extend the life of your summer wardrobe. You'll be getting more wear out of your favourite pieces, forecast be damned.

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