Boots
"These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do…" Nancy Sinatra, 1966
Boots are an investment buy. It is difficult to get a pair of decent, stylish boots that will give you the FCaNK effect for less than £80. That said, the high street are developing some great leather designs that will last and look like you have spent more than you have. Don't bother with the ankle boot if you are strapped for cash. They often cost a bit more than a flamboyant shoe and very rarely make a statement. 
Patent Boots
Patent footwear can be made from either leather or man made materials. Your Fur Coat patent boots will usually be made from leather. Your No Knickers option is likely to be made from man made materials. Patent footwear is the one category where you will need to buy a label known for good quality patent leather goods.
Suede Boots
You will need to invest some cash when purchasing suede boots. Cheap suede will last you a season and then look tatty. Expect to pay £50 to £100 more for better quality suede boots. This may seem a lot; but for the length of life you will get out of your boots, it is worth it.
LK Bennett have perfected the art of developing boots that wear brilliantly well and the suede almost cleans itself. Not only that, LKB have their own cobbler you can call upon. I have had a pair of suede LKB boots for four years and stomped around the countryside and the city in them. Four years on, I still get comments about my fabulous boots. I even managed to buy these Fur Coat numbers at a No Knickers price! These boots were knocked down to £80 and were a stretch for me at the time. The LK BE sales are very disappointing if you have large sized feet but are worth looking at just in case not all of the styles are their 80's style throwbacks!
Spotlight on Over The Knee Boots
FCaNK has fallen in love with this fashion item! We weren't always so enamoured with these beauties and certainly did not entertain them as a fashion item. Rather we associated with the lady of the night look or some fetish that surrounded the over the knee boot. I think that we can safely blame Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she came on screen with 'those legs' sheathed in pair of impossibly slim OTK boots! Before that Mr. Darcy owned the rights to wearing these boots when he was wooing his love in Pride and Prejudice.Anyway, that said, they have firmly made their mark on the catwalk this year and are set to stay. Every designer, whether Fur Coat or No Knickers as picked up this trend, which is good news for you. The shops are stocked full of these at every price bracket.
Let's take a look at tips before looking at the shops!
1. Check that your thighs are thinner than the top of the boot. You do not want muffin top thighs! Don't be too alarmed by this sage advice. Most boots have a wider top to enable your thigh to move around!
2. With the above tip in mind, OTK boots are great for anyone with cankles or hockey thighs. Find a pair with an elastised panel and you are set. Check out Kors by Michael Kors' Bromley flat OTK boot at Shop Style. Faith have a cheaper version on Shop Style.
3. Work out what style of OTK boot will suit you. Keep your comfort in mind as well! There are so many styles to choose from. Wedges, platform heels, stilettos, flats, pointed toes, rounded toes, cowboy or biker look, tassles...the list goes on!
2. FCaNK recommends wearing tights or legging with the boots. After all, a bit of modesty goes a long way! If you are feeling daring, go for a long pair of cosy socks. Fur Coat loves cashmere socks to keep her warm!
3. Keep the colour neutral, say a black suede or patent black are lovely.
4. Keep the clothes classic. After all, you don't want to overwhelm such a fabulous item on your legs!
5. Expect to pay a little more for OVTKB. After all there is more material involved here!
FCaNK loves a black suede OVTKB with a slight heel worn with a black or smoky grey knitted dress. Sounds nice? We think so! Add a cute retro tote and large bangle jewellery and you have got yourself a gorgeous boho meets the naughties girl outfit!
The high street is postively brimming with OVKBs. Check out Karen Millen, Dune, Urban Outfitters, Shoe Studio and Office to name but a few. Shop Style.UK has a fantastic range of boots at all prices on their website. They are really worth a look before you take the plunge and purchase your OTK boots!
Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots are the all American pie boots! They originated around the mid 1800's when they were used as a working cowboy's boot. Only when rodeos became popular, did they appeal to the wider leisure market. For cowboy boots, Rosies Shoes stock the Sanchos and Sendra ranges of cowboy boots. These are hand made in Spain. They are of beautiful quality and the colour ways are wide and very appealing. The prices range from £ 80 through to £160. Another shop, R-Soles, on the Kings Road, stock cowboy boots too. They too are beautifully made in either Spain or Mexico. The difference though is that they are a lot pricier.
Tips for buying No Knickers boots
You can afford to pay less and look like you've paid more if you buy the New Look real leather options. As with bags, watch out for the hardware. Often these shops lose their sense of taste and add the bling to cheapen the product even if the leather material is good.
Whenever buying at the mid-range end watch out for the soles of the shoe. Often the plastic, rubber soled boots will not be able to be re-soled and heeled. Unless these boots are coming in under £50 you are crazy to even contemplate buying them. Aldo have some good designs and good leather at OK prices but watch out for the bottoms of the boots and check that they can be re-soled and re-heeled.
Aldo and New Look often have limited stock on styles and the really cool stuff goes quickly, so if you are a hesitant buyer like me, you may find it difficult to plunge buy. Just remember, it is better to have the boots or shoes in your clutches and take them back, than to be disappointed that you missed a bargain.
FCaNK Recommends:
Fur Coat Suede Boots £100+
- LK Bennett
- Hobbs
- UGG (The phenomenon continues - Emma asks why?!)
- Kurt Geiger
- Georgina Goodman
No Knickers Suede Boots £50+
- Warehouse
- Aldo
- Rocket Dog (an adequate UGG substitute)
- Rosie's Shoes and Unique Shoes
- Schuh store
Fur Coat Leather Boots £100+
No Knickers Leather Boots £45+
In Summary
- Be prepared to spend more on patent leather and suede.
- Try to buy real leather to let those tootsies breathe.
- Watch out for the heels and the soles to ensure they can be re-heeled.
- Don't ever be tempted to buy shoes that pinch your toes or hurt your feet.
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