Style Theory: The criteria for the perfect black ankle boot..comfortable, flattering, buckles (very AW15) pointed toe, short ankle height and soft leather. I have found them from non-other than Clarks

Boots -  Clarks Stanhope V&A boots £125
Dress - Asos (old season)
Bag - H&M similar here

The boots are from the Clarks V&A collection, Clarks collaborated with the Victoria and Albert museum to create a cool and slightly more edgier range of shoes. They looked to different periods in history for inspiration, these boots hail from the 80s, the Goth era to be specific. Clarks have smartened the goth look to create a pair of boots that are sharp, chic and completely on trend. The buckles toughen up the look without looking too heavy.

Halloween Outfit
Jacket: H&M old season
Blouse: Zara
Jeans: Topshop
Boots: Clarks Stanhope £125

Made in soft leather these boots are the perfect height to be worn with dresses and skirts, or with skinny jeans/ leather leggings. I have chopped my black jeans up to just above my ankle so the boots sit below..fine for mild weather and the boots keep my feet warm. As I find with most of Clarks shoes, they are undeniably comfortable with a very small heel, the perfect schoolrun to evening out boots. The leather looks mottled online in real life it is far less so (actually the photo online put me off a little I am glad I ordered them anyway!) They are exactly what I was looking for and the fact that they are super comfy, complete with ' cushion plus' technology makes me even happier!

Here are a few ideas of how I will be styling them...

images via Pinterest

They will be so useful throughout the autumn/winter and spring, they look fab with bare legs so if I try not to eat too many selection boxes over Christmas I may try the bare leg look in the Spring.....

Have you found your perfect winter boots, how are you wearing yours this year? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time Frances xxx

*I was gifted the boots but under no obligation to blog about them - these exceeded my expectations.

Perfect Back to School Shoes..for grown ups...

Style Theory: Shoes for autumn/winter are a major player in your capsule wardrobe. They need to be practical, comfortable and able to see you through all sorts of weather this country is likely to throw at us....the pointed loafer has come to the rescue...

This year the pointy loafer/brogue is most definitely my shoe of choice. Slightly masculine, but worn with the right outfit can look so chic. With the platforms of SS15 (see Stella McCartney below) becoming the norm next year, these pointy loafers seem positively tame and understated in comparison. 

Here are some ideas of how to style the pointy loafer..

Victoria Beckham SS15

Stella McCartney SS15

This style of shoes looks gorgeous with cigarette trousers.

A flash of ankle makes these shoes more ladylike

The Celine loafers

All images above via Pinterest

The most flattering way to wear these is to keep the bottom half of your outfit slimline. They look great with ankle length skinny jeans, leather leggings or shorter skirts. It is best to bare your ankle if you can as it gives them a more feminine look. In the winter wear with 60s dresses and thick, black opaque tights.

Here are my selection of the best on the High Street:

Somerset By Alice Temperley at John Lewis £125

These are without a doubt my favourite, the black and navy colourway makes them so versatile and the buckle adds a tougher edge. I have not seen these in the flesh but hope to try on tomorrow so I will let you know what they are like via Instagram (@schoolrunmum)

Clarks Hotel Chic Shoes £65

These look fabulous on, I saw them being worn by Luisa from AStylishSomething on instagram (@astylishsomething) and they looked great and have the added bonus of being super comfy!

Topshop Fleetwood Monk Shoes £32

Again, these were worn by blogger Adrienne from Thatsmymum on instagram. They looked great and are such a great price, they are not leather but if you fancy 'dipping your toe' in the trend these are a good buy! 

Mango Croc-Effect Slippers £39.99

The closest I have seen to the beautiful Celine loafers that are wayyy out of my price range. These are chic and elegant and would look stunning with black skinny ankle length trousers and a black blouse.

Mango Penny Loafers £44.99

Office Trixie Loafer Nude £55

Wear these with a cream shirt and skinny paler blue ankle length jeans for a chic Autumn look..

Next Pointed Loafers £28

These would look fab with a double denim look - a denim shirt and skinny blue jeans.

French Connection Giovanna Shoes £100

These shoes are monochrome perfection, would look stunning with an all black outfit.

I am loving this style of shoe, so practical for us mums and flattering at the same time.

MY STYLE:

Back to the school run this week, so the trainers have been worn non-stop..this is why I need a pair of pointed loafers!

Sweater: Zara
Jeans: Gap
Trainers: Stan Smith Adidas
Bag: Spain

Out for lunch with the family...

Coat: M&S
Top: H&M
Cardigan: Topshop
Jeans: Topshop Baxter
Shoes: Zara
Bag: Spain

So are you convinced by the pointy flats, do you think they will make a practical and stylish addition to your Autumn wardrobe? 

As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, until next time, Frances xx