I’m a creature of habit, particularly in the clothing department. With the arrival of each season, I gaze wide-eyed at the constant stream of newness landing in my inbox, saving inspiration from brands and influencers for cool outfits to try. Yet within weeks, I fall back into old patterns. Instead of reaching for the same strappy sandals to chuck on with a well-worn pair of jeans that are perfectly moulded to my body, I choose a classic boot and chunky cardigan to fit the bill. The denim probably stays.
When I’m not testing the boundaries of how many times is too many times to wear the same jeans in a week, you’ll likely find me in a mini or midi dress. And come autumn, I’ll be donning my favourites almost exclusively with boots. Chelsea, knee-high, Western—it doesn’t matter, as long as they come past the ankle and keep my feet warm.
In an effort to break this unimaginative loop, I’ve decided to source some alternatives. It turns out there are a lot of strong shoe options on offer right now, from thick-soled loafers to dainty Mary Jane pumps. Enthused by this discovery, I also thought it worthwhile to decipher which shoes work best with which dress type. Scroll for fresh footwear to style with your reach-for dresses. Warning: There are still a few pairs of boots in the mix. (It is almost September, after all.)
