• Home
  • Blog
  • How to style ankle boots for an effortlessly chic look
Style Guide
How to style ankle boots for an effortlessly chic look

• Mark Buxton

Ankle boots are some of the most versatile shoes in a woman's wardrobe. They are perfect for your winter wardrobe and fantastic during transitioning seasons. With so many styles to choose from, there is something for everyone. Whether you need a pair of work ankle boots for your power suit or a grungy pair of biker boots to express your unique style, there are countless boot styles and ways to style them.

The style of ankle boots you select determines how you wear them. In this ankle boot style guide, we'll go through the most popular ankle boots and show you how to style them alongside current trending fashion to help you look chic whether heading to work or on the coffee run.

Table of contents

Footwear Feature Showcase

How do you make ankle boots look good?

With the sheer volume of ankle boot styles to select from, making the right ones look good at the right time can be overwhelming. Here are some basic rules to stick to when styling ankle boots to help you avoid a fashion faux pas.

  1. Choose the right style for the occasion. Different ankle boot styles offer varying levels of formality, so pair the right ones for the right occasion. For example, rounded toes are more casual than pointed-toe booties, and higher heels will provide a more polished look than flat ankle boots.
  2. Select the best colour and material for the occasion. Colour and material also contribute to the boot's formality. For example, suede leather and brown shades will always look more casual than black calf leather. White ankle boots can also provide a bold, polished statement.
  3. Pair them with fashionable attire. Fashion changes, and although ankle boot styles may fall in and out of fashion, the overall ankle boot is a staple in any wardrobe. Keep your wardrobe fresh, and your ankle boots will always be fashionable. For example, swap your maxi skirt for a satin midi-skirt or skinny jeans for some comfortable mom jeans.
  4. Avoid cuffs. Cuffing jeans are out! If you want a shorter jean look, reach for cropped straight-legged jeans.
  5. Experiment with socks and tights. Pair your chunky boots with thick socks for a cosy look. Experiment with different tights patterns like fishnet or herringbone to add interest to your outfit.
  6. Accessories. Layer your ankle boot look with a matching belt, statement scarf or hat to tie the outfit together and complement your ankle boots.
  7. Mix and match. Don't be afraid to mix and match styles and textures. You can dress ankle boots up or down with casual or dressy outfits. So, experiment with contrasting styles to get the combination that works; for example, pair grungy ankle boots with luxury fabrics or polished heeled ankle boots with ripped jeans.
  8. Confidence and comfort are key. Whatever you wear with your ankle boots, as long as you are comfortable and confident, you will look good in any outfit. Your style is based on your personal preference. So if you feel good, you will look good.

What type of pants do you wear with ankle boots?

The pants or trousers you pair with ankle boots will significantly alter your outfit aesthetic. For example, pairing your ankle boots with tailored trousers will give you a sophisticated business-professional look, perfect for the office.

Ankle boots also go with many jean styles for a casual look. Pair your ankle boots with straight-leg jeans or mom jeans for a polished, smart-casual look or wider-leg, tapered and flared jeans for a more casual aesthetic.

You can also pair ankle boots with leggings, cargo pants and joggers for a relaxed, laid-back style. We would only recommend wearing casual-style ankle boots with these bottoms, like biker, hiker and Ugg boots, as more classic styles might look out of place.

How to style fashion ankle boots

Discover the latest and most on-trend way to style fashion ankle boots with these examples.

Chelsea boots

Chelsea boots are classic ankle boots that will always stay on trend. The sleek silhouette and elasticated gusset are synonymous with this style, and you can wear them multiple ways for various occasions.

Pair your Chelsea boots with boyfriend or straight-legged jeans for an effortlessly casual style. Choose a pair of jeans that just hit the top collar of your boot to keep your outfit looking chic and understated. Don't wear skinny jeans. They are currently out of style and will make your outfit look outdated. They'll also make your boots look too clunky.

Alternatively, pair your Chelsea boots with tights and a skirt or dress for a more elegant or preppy look.

Of course, Chelsea boots come in so many styles. Many designers deviate from the classic style, reimagining them with higher, block, chunky or wedged heels. Be aware that the chunkier the heel, the more casual the look.

Shop the look...

Discover our collection of classic and modern Chelsea boots styles with flat and chunky heels to keep your wardrobe on-trend and fashionable.

Heeled ankle boots

If you're looking for a more polished look for work or meeting the girls for brunch, pointed, heeled ankle boots are currently highly fashionable. The fierce pointed toe and stiletto heel show you mean business. Alternatively, a block heel can also look smart while being more comfortable. Pair them with flared jeans or cropped-flared jeans for a casual daytime look. Straight-legged and long-wide-legged jeans also look flattering.

You can also pair your stiletto-heeled ankle boots with a satin midi skirt without tights for a chic look. You can then layer an oversized jumper to bring down the formality of these boots.

Heeled ankle boots are also a fantastic choice for your work outfit. Pair them with tailored trousers, a shirt and a blazer to look like a boss in the boardroom.

Shop the look...

Discover our collection of super chic heeled ankle boots with stiletto heels to look fashionable at work and on the weekend.

Biker boots

Biker boots have a much more grungy feel and add attitude and a rebellious feel to your wardrobe. If you love making a bold statement, these ankle boots are for you.

Embrace your inner biker girl with biker boots and leather-look leggings, baggy cargo pants or distressed jeans. Tuck in your trousers to show off the biker laces, shiny eyelets and rivets.

You can also juxtapose a feminine style with your biker boots by pairing them with a mini skirt and fishnet tights or bare legs and socks to elongate your legs. Alternatively, you can also wear chunky biker boots with a midi skirt with a slit for an edgy street-style look.

Don't forget your leather or bomber-style leather jacket to match the biker look for colder days. Or, use an oversized woollen trench coat to create a carefree look.

Shop the look...

Discover our collection of edgy biker ankle boots and rugged lug sole boots, chunky heels and thick laces to unleash your inner rebel. Or, choose a combat boot for a similar effect.

Western boots

Embrace your inner Taylor Swift era and get on the Western boots trend. Cowgirl boots are currently all the rage, thanks to the increase in popularity of country music in popular culture. Style western boots how you always would, with denim. Straight-legged jeans, a classic denim skirt or shorts (if you're feeling brave) are currently on trend.

Shop the look...

Discover our collection of Western ankle boots with Cuban or regular heels, pointed toes and plenty of classic and modern embellishments to free your inner cowgirl.

Wedge heeled boots

Similarly to biker boots, chunky wedge boots are becoming a fashion statement staple. Using wedge ankle boots to create a casual, laid-back look with straight-legged jeans or a satin midi skirt layered with a cosy knit and a trench coat is a look you will see daily walking in a city centre. Or, make a statement with wedge boots and shorts for a chic celebrity style.

Whether walking down the high street or strutting into work, these wedge ankle boots will add interest to your outfit.

Shop the look...

Discover our collection of wedge ankle boots with chunky heels to recreate some of these effortlessly cool celebrity looks.

Winter ski-style boots

Winter-style ski boots are a stylish option for that aprés ski look for the slopes or for some extra warmth in the winter months. Winter snow boots don't have to just be functional - they can also be super fashionable. After a long morning on the slopes, swap your uncomfortable ski boots with these stunning winter ski-style boots and be the best looking on the slopes by pairing your ski-style boots with flared leggings or flared salopettes.

Our winter-style ski boots are practical and fashionable, they keep your feet warm and dry in snowy conditions and their grippy soles prevent you from slipping on ice. Perfect for walking around your ski town in the evening or for no-ski days.

Shop the look...

Discover our collection of ski-style ankle boots with fur lining for extra warmth and an effortless chic skier look, perfect for elevating your style on the slopes.

Ugg boots

Uggs have made an impressive comeback in recent years thanks to new styles favourited by Gen Z. They are perfect for the effortlessly cool, sleepy-girl look. Pair mini slip-on Uggs with straight-legged tracksuit bottoms, flared leggings or wide-legged jeans and a hoodie or knitted jumper if you're popping to the shops but still want to look effortlessly chic.

Shop the look…

Discover our collection of Ugg boots and Ugg-style ankle boots with fluffy linings for extra warmth and an effortless, laid-back look for when you want to throw on your comfies and still look stylish.

Ankle boots at Daniel Footwear

We hope we've given you some fresh ideas on how to style your ankle boots. Whatever style of ankle boot you prefer, there is always a way to style it to keep it an everlasting wardrobe staple that you can wear season after season.

However, if you want to expand your wardrobe with different styles or try out some trending looks in this inspirational style guide, browse our extensive collection of ankle boots at Daniel Footwear to find luxury designer brands and on-trend ankle boots you need in your wardrobe.

Related blogs