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Thought boots were only for wearing in winter? Guess again. There are plenty of occasions and summer outfits that call for wearing a pair of boots. If it’s rain on the forecast and a slight chill in the air that has you craving a little more protection from the elements, a pair of boots more than delivers, while allowing the rest of your outfit to remain firmly in season.
Perhaps you’re just looking to get more wear out of your wardrobe year-round. We applaud such sustainable thinking! You may not be heading to a festival – where even those of the non-wellie variety are deemed essential – but it’s time to pull your boots back out from your wardrobe. The street style set has spoken, and 2025 is set to be a boots summer. All you need to do is choose your fighter: cowboy boots, moto biker styles or classic knee-highs?
As for what to wear with them, keep scrolling for all the summer outfit inspo you need that will totally work with boots.
Midi dress + biker boots
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the easiest styling trick to making an outfit look instantly cooler and more expensive is to introduce an element of contrast. Case in point: a pastel pink floaty puff-sleeve summer dress worn with chunky black biker boots. BRB, recreating this look stat.
White jeans + pointed-toe boots
On summer days when you *do* want to wear jeans and boots, try switching your trusty blue denim for a white or cream hue. This will keep the look feeling seasonal and not like you’re six months too early… or late. Depending on the leg silhouette of your jeans, you can opt for ankle or knee-highs, but for wider-leg styles, we’d recommend sticking to a boot with a pointed toe to balance out proportions.
Midi skirt + tall boots
The key to pulling off a midi skirt and boots combo is to make sure the hem of your skirt is longer than the tops of your boots, so that when you’re standing up, none of your leg can be seen. If there is a sliver of skin on show between the bottom of your skirt and the top of your boots, this creates another visual stopping point (after the skirt’s waistband) that makes your outfit feel less harmonious, and you can look shorter. There’s nothing wrong with being short – at 5’4″ I am a proud petite gal! – but clothes are widely considered to be more flattering when they elongate the body.
Jorts + boots
The same rule for midi skirts and boots does not apply to jorts and boots (we know, we know, fashion is a fickle thing), as your denim shorts will likely finish at the knee or higher. You can pretty much wear any boots you like, but we love the colour pop of this red pair against the blue denim.
Mini dress + cowboy boots
Our obsession with cowboy boots shows no sign of waning anytime soon, so if you have yet to bag yourself a pair, what are you waiting for?! One of our favourite ways to wear them is with a mini dress, as the short hemline puts the statement shoe’s signature design details – dipped shaft and stitched decoration – on full display.
Bloomers + knee-high boots
We are loving the bloomers trend RN, the frilly, feminine alternative to the boxer short. To toughen up the look slightly, you can’t go wrong by pairing with a sports jersey and knee-high boots.
Colour-coordinated mini dress + knee-high boots
Want to tap into the monochrome dressing trend, AKA wearing one colour head-to-toe? Separates and long dresses aren’t the only way to do so. Try wearing a mini dress in a neutral colour (think black, white, or any shade of brown) and pairing it with knee-high boots in the same hue.
Double denim + black boots
We love repping double denim in the form of a Canadian tuxedo (AKA a denim jacket and jeans), so why not give the look a seasonal update for summer and switch your bottom half for shorts? As with your jacket and jeans formula, the combo works best when your two denim items are in the same wash. Adding black knee-high boots will add an element of polish.
Sparkly dress + lug sole boots
Consider this ultimate festival outfit inspo. Just as hardy as your wellies but arguably far chicer. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for a dry Glastonbury! And, when you’re not dancing in a field, a floaty midi and your Dr Martens is perfect city streets stomping attire, too.
Sports shorts + block heel boots
Remember what we said about contrasting elements in an outfit? We’re obsessed with this look, pairing an overtly feminine, pretty embroidered top and block-heeled boots with athletic shorts. Make sure your boots are at least calf height and no taller than your knees to strike the perfect balance of smart casual.
Denim dress + brown suede boots
Brown suede boots were a *hugeeee* autumn winter trend, but there’s no need to banish yours to the back of the shoe rack. They’ll work just as hard in the summer months if you style them with a denim dress of any length.
