Amiable's Blog

Help with proportions? Black Ankle pants and black booties

September 26, 2014

Trying out Angie's suggestion to wear Black ankle pants with black booties.

And I'm not convinced it's working for me.  Perhaps it's my black ankle pants - are they a bad length? Or too wide?

Shown here with three pairs of what I think almost qualify (maybe) as black booties (and one pair of burgundy booties, and a pair of black sneakers).

#1 suede oxfords  - pointy toe and a slight heel.  Is the top too low to go with these?

#2 leather boots - almond toe, but I think the shaft is too tall - and don't find the silhouette flattering here - it looks.... top heavy?

#3 higher heeled oxfords - also pointy toed, but still more shoes than boots, right?

#4 burgundy beetle booties - maybe the only honest booties, and probably the best of the lot - but not black?

#5 Trying it with sneakers too.  Just for fun.

Is it the pants?  Do any of these work?  I think I'm gonna go change to bf jeans.

1
2
3
4
5
Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

26 Comments

  • N-Marie replied 9 years ago

    To my eye, it looks better with the higher shaft (#2 and #4).   I wonder whether part of the problem with the lower shaft shoes is that the pant leg is not tapering enough?  

  • Gracie replied 9 years ago

    I would wear #2 and #5 in a heartbeat, to my eye these two combos work best (or maybe because I lean tomboyish), #3 is my third favorite. Your top is absolutely lovely and you rock the semi-tuck.

  • columbine(erin) replied 9 years ago

    Since perhaps the pants don't taper quite enough maybe they need to be rolled and worn with the higher shaft boots. Hmm.

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    3 and 5!

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    I think #3 and #5 work. Slight preference for #3 from a style angle but for comfort I'm guessing #5.

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    I love that top!  I'm not sure about these either.  I like #3 the best and the sneakers are fun too.  I think maybe it's the pants and they need to taper more.

  • fern replied 9 years ago

    I love #2 but it's very tomboy. Maybe Tom Sawyer. #3 is lovely.
    I think the pants are not long enough to wear with #1.

  • Tina replied 9 years ago

    I think 4 would work very well if you would echo the color of the booties in your top/ topper. I like 3, 1, 5 and 4. It must be personal preference because I thought 2 did not work but several others have loved it - go figure:-)
    I think the pants fit well and they look tapered enough. Proportions are best in 4, to my eye.

  • Sal replied 9 years ago

    I think 3 4 5 work. If wearing burgundy I would change the top and maybe add tights? I think this could be me though, i strongly associate burgundy with winter woollies!

    I actually love 5.. It is a great top, you have such lovely long legs you don't need a heel, and it looks perfect for a casual fun running around look.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Funny, I like 1,3 and 5. I like the idea of 2 but I think the skinny shaft is almost too skinny and abrupt. I do think the pants could taper a bit more (and this is why I have such a hard time with this look for myself- for the kind of taper I need with my skinny ankles I might as well wear leggings).

  • replied 9 years ago

    I like all but the first. I like those oxfords, just not feeling them with those pants. And as I am often an oddball, I actually like the burgundy ones in #4 with your top. I think they go great without matching. For a casual day, I'd say #2 or #5 and #3 I think could tilt it in a dressier direction.

  • amiable replied 9 years ago

    Wow - so many responses.  Thanks!  I ended up wearing #5 - they were comfy, and somehow worked to my eye.  I think I may try #3 in a business casual setting (and see if my feet kill me for that heel height).  I'm glad that #5 works okay to your eyes too.  

    And I have some burgundy that may get #4 a try.

  • MsLuna replied 9 years ago

    Hi Amy!

    I'm a fan of #2 though.... The rest of the looks will work if you taper the pant hems slightly (narrow the hemline). I have skinny ankles and I have this problem all the time. This could create a longer leg line and a less disjointed look (if that's what you're going for).

  • JAileen replied 9 years ago

    I like #1. But you need to tie the laces so they are perpendicular to your foot. The lace looks wrong on your right foot.

  • thimblelina replied 9 years ago

    I love ankle pants with boots. If the gap strikes you as too wide, mitigate that with a lightweight black sock scrunched above the boot line. The Madewell fall lookbook made great use of these kind of socks if you google up some of the images.

  • shiny replied 9 years ago

    Without reading the other replies -- 

    Are you kidding me? They all look FAB to my eye!!! 

    Each gives a different vibe, but work proportionately. Love that top too.

    I think my favorite is the burgundy booties. Total wow with that one. But I like all of them and think all work. 

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Amy, you look so beautiful in that top! It was the perfect purchase. 

    I really like #3. I am not crazy about #2 for the reasons Una stated. I think all the others work to varying degrees, including the last one. 

  • Jeanie replied 9 years ago

    I like #3 best.  I am looking at Angie's post on pairing black pants and black booties and I noticed that most of the looks have only a 1 or 2" amount of skin showing.  I suspect you have long legs and you might need longer pants to make this work better for you with the shorter black shoes.  I have to say that that shirt is just perfect on you.  

  • replied 9 years ago

    #3--best proportions, cleanest lines

  • Missey replied 9 years ago

    #3 and #5 are the best, proportionally, to my eye.

  • Vix replied 9 years ago

    Hi Amiable --

    As others have said, what a gorgeous top on you!

    I agree that my favorites in terms of proportions are #3 (polished!) and #5 (fun!)

    For #2, I think the look is pretty cool in generally but the top length needs to come down a few inches to avoid that "hiked up pants" look -- looks like you can adjust? Or you may need more of a mid-thigh+/tunic thing.

    #1 and #4 may be a little off in terms of showing a bit too much skin but it doesn't really bother me too much as the lightness in the top echos your skintone; I also like the burgundy paired with the top's colors.

    If it would work for you in terms of comfort, I think you could also try some dark-toned, sheer patterned trouser socks/hose with 1 and 4 to extend the leg line -- but you're so leggy you may have to play around with lowering the hemline like with #2! 

    Re tapering more: Granted I need to defer to those who routinely taper leg openings (not a thing my calves need) but I can't see how you would be able to taper the leg opening more and still move in them without them catching -- or go from sitting to standing without them riding up?  

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Hello top twin!  Another vote for #3 here --- and #5.  I think the red boots would work paired with another top -- or if you wore your denim jacket over the top.

  • Marley replied 9 years ago

    My faves are #1, 3, and 5.  Outstanding looks - all three of those outfits!  Only thing I would change is to tuck in the laces on the oxfords and sneakers to give you a more streamlined "boot-like" look!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Ankle pants with booties are a "look" for sure. There's no getting
    around the fact that the unexpected proportions can be a bit jarring to the eye. But I think it's a great look on you!

    I love all 5 pair with the pants. But I think the top works best with the pair in #5. The top is so pretty and summery and works will with the summery sneaker. I think you should try changing up the upper half of your outfits so the mood of the top/topper matches the mood of the shoe.

    I think #1 is the hardest to pull off. I wore the same pant/shoe combo to work  the other day and kept feeling like I looked like Oliver Twist. :-(

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    I think you should try with a black jacket or cardigan on top. I think that will help balance things. Seeing the booties with the light top is throwing it off a bit. The sneakers work with just a tee though!

  • amiable replied 9 years ago

    I hadn't thought of a jacket or cardigan.  That's a great idea - thanks!

You need to be logged in to comment

Categories

Blogroll

Archives