The Approved List 002: Boots for the Fierce, Glamorous and Audacious
Must Have Boots Styles to Add to Your Forever Collection
Welcome back to The Approved List—your definitive guide to curating a wardrobe and lifestyle that’s both luxurious and sustainable. From clothing to must-have resources, consider this your go-to for guilt-free indulgence. Enjoy this complimentary preview of the series.
Though I consider boot season to be year round, the cooler weather provides an opportunity to wear sleek boots without the stickiness of sweat inherent with opting for boots in the warmer months. Regardless of the weather, boots are a defining element of my Style Signatures, so I shamelessly endure, no matter the weather, if a boot is key to making my outfit pop.
For this week’s Approved List, I couldn’t wait to dive into one of my most cherished style signatures, and offer a variety of boot styles that can make an incredible impact in your wardrobe, no matter your self-proclaimed style. From black ankle boots to textured knee-highs, this list takes a striking and dynamic approach to the typical “fall boots must-have” lists that circulate every year. Thank you to
for inspiring this styling collection to be boots-focused!
Here are some things to remember:
My style is rooted in sustainability and maximalism, while my style tenets are Fierce, Glamorous, and Audacious. I create these style grids with myself in mind to ensure they are the most authentic and engaging outfits. I romanticize my life so these outfits hardly are styled for an average shopping trip to the grocery store (unless you’re like me and view life as a fashion show). While I don’t believe style should be easily duplicatable, I do believe it should be inspirational. We may not share the same taste but these style grids are meant to inspire you to translate some of my fashion picks and articulate them into your own approach to fashion.
Lilac Reign emphasizes sustainability by encouraging you to be mindful of how you shop, opting to choose natural fabrics and pieces that have longevity and reflect your true style via your style signatures. That said, outfit details are listed by fabric composition rather than brands.
I choose to style with luxury brands as it’s easier to find a wider variety of stylish clothes in premium fabrics. And I can’t lie, I do enjoy the luxury shopping experience. What can I say— I have expensive taste. But if you do opt to “dupe” the fits, always choose natural fabrics!! Polyester is for losers.
I recently cleared out my wardrobe to about 20% of its original capacity so these styling grids are made in mind of what I want to build my new wardrobe with. This isn’t about consumerism but crafting a mindful and authentic wardrobe that will last a lifetime — and maybe two more after that.
I choose to prioritize natural fabrics for my garments over my accessories, as accessories have a better trade value and easier ability to be passed down rather than my actual clothing. So, you may see accessories listed that are made of synthetic material.
We can’t begin without a reminder of The Fabric Snob Grading Scale. With that in mind, let’s hop into the outfits:
Note: Some links are affiliate and a small commission may be earned with your purchase :)
The Boot: Colorful & Printed
The Scene: Paparazzi Flash While She Heads into New York’s Newest and Most Exclusive Restaurant
Style Tenet: Audacious
After almost three years since they’ve made their debut on the runways, I’ve finally given into the bloomers/ briefs trend, and I’m really digging it. I’m not sure if this outfit would work anywhere that doesn’t have a high concentration of celebrities, models, and fashion lovers living in the city but if you’re an It Girl like I think you are, you set the fashion standards wherever you go, not society.
Styled with a graphic tee and black tights, the edgy briefs are somehow overlooked by these striking Roberto Cavalli emerald colored boots. Paired with this cobalt blue mohair coat that I absolutely NEED, eyes are immediately drawn to how the coat and boots complement each other. Especially, with how the coat brings out the blue accents in the boots, that mimic the reflective light seen in actual malachite. When playing with saturated colors, my trick is to ground the outfit with black and white, as it is able to give each color their spotlight, without taking away from one another other.
Coat: Mohair
Top: Cotton
Briefs: Wool and Cashmere
Boots: Aegagrus Hircus and Bos Taurus
Purse: Calf Leather/Lambskin
Earrings: 18kt White Gold
The Boot: Black, Short, Short Sexy
The Scene: The Eiffel Tower’s lights glisten off the muse as she leans against a light post and reapplies her lipstick in her compact mirror
Style Tenets: Fierce and Audacious
This outfit leans heavily into the essence of embodying artistic and muse energy while basking in the culture of Paris. The focus of this outfit is embracing the audacity of mixing different fabrics — cotton, silk, lace— and style aesthetics, — Street style and feminine— all while embodying the sexy energy of fierceness. With the artistic and romantic culture of Paris in mind, this is an approachable styling to the city’s many cliches that is fun, alluring and expressive.
Playing with proportions and silhouettes, the lace bodysuit layered under the loose graphic t-shirt, paired with the silk skirt, is charming yet playful. The beret and pearls further play into the feminine aspect of the skirt. While the Rene Caovilla heeled ankle boots complete the outfit’s sexy aura, affirming the mature approach to this playful styling.
T-Shirt: Cotton
Bodysuit: Silk Lace
Skirt: Silk
Boots: Textile Upper, Leather Sole
Earrings & Necklace: Pearls
Sunglasses: Acetate
Beret: Silk
The Boot: Textured
The Scene: The fashion editor strutting through the halls of the hottest magazine office
Style Tenet: Glamorous
There’s an obvious reason why I detest typical “office chic” because my definition of chic does not include anything that would typically be deemed appropriate for the office, style wise. I’m sure this outfit would be deemed a distraction in the office but when you own the building (my ultimate goal), you can’t help commanding attention. Might as well lean into it.
Grounded by a wool Oscar de la Renta dress layered atop a white, silk, pussy bow blouse, these texture knee-high boots are perfectly juxtaposed to an “office appropriate” ensemble that actually makes you want to go to work in the office— at least a fashion centered one. Because the boots are the statement of this outfit, accessories are kept light with a cheetah print beret — of course playing with the nature of texture and animal— and small ornate studs. And when it’s time for lunch, these scalloped, tortoise, cat-eye sunglasses complete the look that’s styled to turn heads as she heads to her local deli for her carry out order.
Dress: Virgin Wool
Top: Silk
Shoes: Shearling and Leather
Sunglasses: Acetate
Earrings: 18kt Yellow Gold
Beret: Wool
The Boot: Denim Ankle Bootie
The Scene: Paparazzi flash as the fashion industry’s model It-Girl avoids the long line and enters New York’s hottest new club
Style Tenet: Audacious
We’re back in New York with the paparazzi for this look. The effortlessness and juxtaposed styling of this ensemble feels like it’s needed on an It Girl. Its short hems, and emphasis on the legs requires the wearer to be confident and know their proportions.
This cheeky Coperni tank paired with the embroidered and embellished skirt and denim ankle boots take an elevated approach to the typical tank and skirt styling. Styled with a leather and fur lined aviator jacket, the fit becomes more relaxed and approachable, that’s easily transformed back to its glamorous essence once the jacket is removed to dance the night away. Yet, it’s the perfect warm accessories to protect those open pores with to bear the cooler air waiting outside the club doors.
Top: Cotton
Skirt: Silk
Shoes: Cotton & Leather
Jacket: Lambskin and Shearling
Bag: Calf Leather
Earrings: Diamonds
The Boot: Geometric Pattern
The Scene: An outside social event on a chilly fall day
Style Tenets: Glamorous and Audacious
I have no idea where this coat is from but during one of my Pinterest scrolls, I found it and knew I had to style it! I’ve yet to find the original designer but did discover it was used in the wardrobe styling of an episode of Killing Eve. Makes sense, as the color and texture are giving major Shego, villain vibes.
Bad gals like Viallanelle and Shego are bold by nature, so playing off that energy, this outfit is styled in boldness by mixing patterns. Choosing to remain neutral with the brown body suit, but connecting a bit more of texture with the high slit skirt, the jacket and shoes are able to be the star of the show.
When mixing patterns, the key is connecting them with a color they both share that’s minor in one pattern and major in the other. In this case, it’s black. However, due to the overlapping of the green and black in the tartan, the black gives a brownish hue, allowing for the harmonious pairing of the brown bodysuit and cream-colored skirt. Because the geometric print boots are black and white, it’s still able to ground the outfit, while being an opposed yet complementing pattern to the jacket. The jacket’s texture and silhouette gives it a touch of glamour while the pattern mixing gives the overall outfit a standard of audacity.
Jacket: Unknown
Top: Cotton
Skirt: Cotton
Shoes: Leather
Bag: Leather
The Boot: Brown Knee-High
The Scene: An evening with the girls featuring dinner and champagne.
Style Tenet: Fierce
If you’re a lover of boots, you probably already own a chocolate brown knee-high boot, so why not spice up your collection with a cognac colored boot?
Rick Owens absolutely snapped on this coat with its bold pattern and feminine silhouette. As the obvious star of the show, the coat is paired with a knit, form-fitted turtle-neck dress that features a beautiful back cut out. Though the coat is a show stopper, we’re here for the boot, which beautifully complements the color pattern of the coat. It is also a perfect pop of color against the black dress once the coat is removed. This entire outfit screams elegance and fierceness, with and without the coat.
Coat: Virgin Wool
Dress: Cashmere
Boots: Calf Leather
Purse: Suede Leather
Earrings: Brass
Bangle: Brass
The Boot: Red Knee-High
The Scene: The mysterious artist confidently walks the New York streets in search of inspiration for her next piece. Little does she realize, she’s the city’s inspiration.
Style Tenet: Fierce
This outfit is inspired by the iconic iShateria, but instead of the playfulness of denim thigh-high I chose to lean into the allure of the dark mystery of an artist who can’t go anywhere without her deep red lipstick. Playing with texture, color, pattern and silhouette, this outfit is the perfect balance of sartorial styling elements.
The Black turtleneck bodysuit and khaki skirt are the perfect neutral base for the cashmere cape. To add more visual interest, leopard print opera gloves are paired with a pair of beautiful oxblood boots that no doubt match the artist's deep-tinted lips. Of course, to get in character, the artist couldn’t help but to complement her outfit with a beret and texture gold earrings.
Cape: Mongolian Lamb Fur
Bodysuit: Cotton
Skirt: Cotton
Boots: Calf Skin Leather
Gloves: Silk
Beret: Silk
The Boot: Animal Print Knee-High
The Scene: Just because it’s an errands day doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous! Today features a to-do list of running to the bank, meeting with the accountant and a lash appointment to wrap up the day.
Style Tenet: Glamorous
The previous outfits don’t necessarily fit the average, everyday life, but this outfit is my take on casual but fabulous.
A simple styling of neutrals, this grid is rooted in comfortable and natural fabrics made interesting with a pop of animal print. The hues of the cashmere sweater, cotton cargo skirt, and leopard boots effortlessly flow with the gold and beige of the accessories creating a harmonious palette that’s visually pleasing to the eye. It’s feminine, comfortable and easy to style for a day that’s more focused on your tasks than your outfit.
Sweater: Cashmere
Skirt: Cotton
Boots: Velvet and Leather
Purse: Faux Leather
Sunglasses: Acetate
Earrings: 18kt Gold-Plated Brass
The Boot: Metallic
The Scene: A day-time brand event surrounded by a theme of art, where you can’t help but to turn heads.
Style Tenet: Glamorous
Life intimidates art and this outfit is evident of that. I absolutely love when the art of fashion collides with other mediums of art like painting, and this Oscar de la Renta coat is a true masterpiece. Presumably inspired by Van Gogh, I truly feel like I’m in my Polyvore bag by including this framed picture of one of his self portraits to complete the fit. The full vision is necessary!
Because the coat is the absolute showstopper, of course the dress had to be neutral. But neutral can still be stunning, which is obvious with the silhouette of this mini, gathered dress featuring cascading front ties and kimono-like sleeves. Both are complemented by metallic boots, which its shine draws on gold tinsel accents in the coat, and its hue matches perfectly with the dress. This combination beautifully satisfies the rule of thirds, as each piece is dynamic on its own, yet remains harmonious together.
Coat: Silk
Dress: Silk & Viscose
Boots: Embossed and Coated Leather
Purse: Leather
Earrings: 14kt Yellow Gold
The Boot: Black Knee-High
The Scene: Thanksgiving Dinner with the extended family
Style Tenet: Glamorous
This outfit gives 2014 tumblr vibes, in the best way. Every other style grid featured heeled boots, but honestly, who is wearing heels to their family Thanksgiving dinner? It Girls’ arches need breaks but that doesn’t mean style has to be compromised in the pursuit of comfort.
As the cousin that’s always been called bougie, I’ve learned to love and own this back-handed compliment to lean in and step on necks. A simple way to remain stylish yet comfortable is to choose one piece of an outfit that does all the work for you. This textured sweater paired with a checked wool and cashmere skirt brings together texture, color and print in a way that doesn’t interfere with one another other, and allows the outfit to be finished with a simple black boot. In true 2014 tumblr fashion, the outfit had to be accessorized with a Celine luggage bag, and statement earrings. This Thanksgiving we’re stylish, fabulous, comfortable, and of course, bougie.
Cardigan: Mohair
Skirt: Wool and Cashmere
Boots: Napa Leather
Bag: Leather
Earrings: 18 kt gold-plated brass, glass
Sunglasses: Acetate
That brings us to the end of another Approved List Edition! I had a lot of fun with this set of style grids, and am thinking of creating a new collection focused on winter coats. What do you think? Drop a comment below of what you’d like to see styled next, along with your favorite fit from this week’s collection!
There is one more Approved List preview scheduled to go live before the series is exclusive to Fabric Snob Inner Circle members so be sure to upgrade your free subscription to continue to get these grids (and links) to your inbox!
I hope you enjoy enjoyed this week’s post and be sure to tag me (Instagram) if you style an outfit with inspo from these grids!
xoxo,
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