Stuck in the midi: Midi boot trend

Forget those well-worn ankle boots, when it comes to shopping for footwear this winter there’s a new season staple to invest in

You’ll be forgiven for thinking there wasn’t much more that could be done with the humble boot; the winter wardrobe staple already has a myriad of incarnations – from heel type to fabric, there’s a long list of variables and a well-established roster of styles.

From the ubiquitous ankle to the risqué thigh-highs and now for autumn there’s a new edition to add to that list, which has been helpfully christened the “midi”.

Doing pretty much what it says it does, the midi boot falls on the shin; somewhere above the ankle but below the knee. This used to be something of a no-go zone, widely considered as a rather unflattering region to accentuate, but, thanks to the prominence of midi-hemlines in recent seasons, there’s a newfound love affair with this particular flash of flesh.

For inspiration look no further than the autumn/winter collections; Raf Simons’ version for Dior came in a skin-hugging sock-like form in multicoloured patent with Perspex heels. At Dries Van Noten they were decorative with ornate embroidery and at Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci’s take came in stretch black leather.

Dior autumn/winter 2015

While the sock-versions of these boots are little harder to pull off (figuratively and literally) the high street has provided plenty of options that avoid the cling-factor. Zara’s homage to the designer versions and Russell &Bromley’s Runway style are a good starting point.

The trick to optimising the flattering effect is to carefully consider hemlines. For the most contemporary look, team with mid-length skirts that will leave just a snippet of limb on show. For those looking for something a little shorter, steer clear of anything teeny tiny or too tight; instead opt for an A-line skirt that will even out proportions.