If you want to wear riding boots in spring yet you´re unsure on how to style them so that you aren´t too bulky, the following style tips can help you.
Note from the Editor: This blog post was originally written in 2012 as an answer to a reader´s question on how to wear riding boots to a job interview in April. But since this topic is always relevant in spring, I decided to include several ways to wear riding boots in spring even if you´re not going to a job interview.
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, dressed up her denim jeans and riding boots with a black blazer worn over a dotty top, very casual smart. Katherine Heigl created a casual chic look by teaming her brown leather jacket with blue jeans and brown riding boots while Taylor Swift went for something edgy.
Question: Hi there! I was wondering if April is too late to be wearing leather riding boots? I live in the midwest and our weather is ever-changing here lately. So, to keep my toes warm but still feel fashionable (not to mention I love my Nine West Vermillion boots!) while interviewing for a retail sales environment. Please help! ~ Sara
Hi Sara! Here in Germany we have a name for this month, April-April. As a new immigrant in this country, I initially did not understand why April is called so, but then I now realized that it´s because of its ever-changing weather – sometimes warm, sometimes cold, or if we´re lucky, neutral.
The first week of April was deliciously warm on our side of the world so I could wear ballet flats with tights. But after that first week, the weather swang only between cold and colder. Thus I wear riding boots (alternating the colors) basically every day to my German integration course. While the weather is expected to rise this weekend, I´m sure that my riding boots aren´t going to have a break anytime soon.
That answers your first question, I don´t think April is too late for riding boots. And here´s more, riding boots will never be too late, unless otherwise it´s excrutiatingly warm, because boots can in fact be worn all year round. (Tune in for our next post on how to wear riding boots in warmer days.)
So how can you wear your Nine West Vermillion boots while interviewing for a retail sales environment? Because you´re wearing riding boots to the field, I give you the permission to wear this boot (but I may disallow you if you´re to wear it to a professional office, more on this later), provided that your outfit still looks smart. You don´t want to turn off your interviewer, do you?
The word smart is relative to the particular environment you´ll be dealing with, so I`ll leave it for you to decide. But I do have here some outfit suggestions which may look smart and professional enough for your interview.
How to Wear Riding Boots for an Interview/Work Outfit in Spring
1. Bright Blazer + Black Skirt + Black Riding Boots
Layer your black riding boots with black tights, black pencil skirt and black top, pulled together with a red jacket. You can also substitute the red blazer with any bright colored jacket. Add a neutral colored handbag as an accessory. The black pieces elevate the boots, while the jacket gives the look a pop of color.
2. Houndstooth Sweater + Black Pencil Skirt + Black Riding Boots
You probably noticed that houndstooth is often a huge trend in fall and winter. So if you have a houndstooth sweater, you can style as a transitional piece in spring. Team it with a black pencil skirt and black riding boots. All the black pieces will temper the print, while the boots will extend the sihouette of your skirt. It´s a classic look that is neat and work-appropriate.
3. Cashmere Sweater + A-line Skirt + Riding Boots
What I like about this look is that while you go for comfort opting for a soft cashmere sweater, the A-line silhouette of your skirt matched with a pair of high-heeled brown riding boots keep things smart, elegant and professional looking. You can easily add a silk scarf or a blazer to level up the look.
Wear Riding Boots with a Spring Outerwear
1. Trench Coat + Denim Skirt + Riding Boots
More often than not, the temperature in early spring is still cold. However, most of your coats thinner than your parkas are enough to brave the outdoor. We know very well that the bracelet or the classic trench coat, as well as other type of coats, can highlight your figure better than parkas. In fact, spring is the perfect time to play with different types of lightweight coats because you can wear them unbuttones. Really, there´s so many ways you can wear riding boots with treanch coat in spring!
2. Biker Moto Jacket + Denim Jeans + Riding Boots
Create a casual chic outfit with a brown leather or suede moto jacket, teamed with some black or gray skinny jeans and brown riding boots. For your top, there´s a whole lot of options – a polka dot top, stripes, fine floral print, a black or a green top. You can also opt for something edgy. Think black leather jacket over a black tunic, rich blue jeans and black riding boots. Work with what you already have in your closet.
3. Chunky Knit Cardigan + Riding Boots
Whether you´ll wear it with a leather mini skirt or a pair of skinny jeans, teaming up a chunky knitted cardigan with riding boots is always fun and cozy for spring. In this look, I kept most thinks monochromatic saved a hint of olive through the bag, but you get the point. Match the color of your chunky cardigan with your boots and the rest is a helluva full of fun options.
How to Wear Riding Boots with a Layered Dress and Cardigan
Dress / Cardigan / Boots / Satchel / Scarf
If you´re looking to ideas on how wear riding boots in April for casual days, then you may find it interesting to experiment with your summer dresses and use them as transitional pieces, in tandem with your boots. I love the color elements in this look, it´s like you just came out from frost and are ready to embrace blooms.
Notice that the mustard cardigan also appears in the dress`print, and even if the scarf is patterned its earthy hues actually match the them of the entire look.
Adding a cross body-bag to the finish look suggests that while you put thoughts in creating your look, you don´t take seriously. In short, you´re all for a fun, flirty and girly result.
Riding Boots with Slouchy Sweater and Denim Shorts
Shorts / Sweater / Boots / Satchel
If the sweater is already slouchy and the outfit is casual, I like to create contrast by adding a structured, elegant bag.
How to Wear Riding Boots for a Cozy + Chic Outfit
Cardigan / Top / Leggings / Boots
This look has become my go-to outfit right now when it comes to wearing riding boots in spring mainly because of comfort. Running errands, working from my home office, and then jumping off my chair and running yet again to pick up my toddler from daycare, I need an outfit that´s comfortable but also chic.
The leggings and boyfriend cardigan make things super comfy, the shirt and its print give a hint of style, while the boots pull everything together.
If you´re like me who finds joy in wearing leggings, remember that to make leggings respectable, always wear a top or a cover-up that conceals your camel toe and your bum. 😉
Earthy Hues Combination with Riding Boots
Identify the color of your riding boots that you want to dress up, say chocolate-brown boots, and from there, create a color palette which is a mix of nude, shades of brown and gray. An Alexander McQueen scarf, or a similar skull prints long scarf of complementary colors are great to add details to the look. Pull everything together with a white blazer.
Add an Accent Color
An oversized orange sweater on brown turtleneck fitted sweater will together create a rich contrast. I added a navy blue long scarf, which you can also braid, to complement with the huge colors. The dark blue skinny jeans serves as the base, and I picked the riding boots which accents the orange sweater.
Create a Rugged Look with Your Riding Boots
This outfit is something you would love to wear on a casual day. It looks effortless and playful. Choose a denim top which fits well and team it with faded looking skinny jeans. Go for a pair of leather riding boots, preferably those worn out favorites and throw over a brown top coat. A bag that matches your coat and a knitted cowl neck are great to spice up the look. Enjoy your every move.
Wear Riding Boots with Fun Pieces
Have fun with your riding boots this spring. Wear a cropped poncho over a jacket and pair with faded skinny jeans in riding boots as seen here on Cameron Diaz.
You can also go really comfy and mimic Olivia Munn´s long cardigan over paid shirt look, with tights in riding boots.
Or create a playful and cute combo just like what Kelly Bensimon did – knitted sweater with fur details, mini skirt and tights pulled together with black riding boots.
How would you like to wear riding boots this spring?