14 Ways to Pair Dresses and Boots All Year Round, From Denim and Cowboy Boots to Slip Dresses and Combat Boots

The Gist

• Boots are a timeless footwear choice that never goes out of style.

• Pairing boots with a dress creates both balance and a bold look that elevates the overall appeal of an outfit.

As much as we love a classic heel with an LBD or statement sneakers with a nap dress, styling dresses with boots is one of our favorite outfit formulas. Depending on our mood or the occasion, we can go as formal or casual, timeless or trendy, as we like.

In fact, we turned to street style stars to demonstrate the versatility of wearing dresses with boots, which can be appropriate for any season. So, whether you’re looking to create some balance with a mini dress and thigh-high boots or play up the contrast between a delicate slip dress and edgy combat boots, there’s a style of both that will do just the trick.

Our tip for pairing them together? Throw caution to the wind and wear them in ways that suit your needs and your style. Keep scrolling for 14 dresses with boot combos that you can wear all year long no matter when or where.

Denim Dresses and Metallic Boots

Denim isn’t reserved for jeans and jackets. Here, fashion influencer Emilie Joseph styles her denim midi dress with slouchy metallic boots. If you’re looking for statement shoes that can also serve as neutrals, metallics are it.

Slip Dresses and Combat Boots

‘90s ‘fits are still going strong, and the return of slip dresses has seeped into our wardrobes. From our experience, the lingerie-esque piece is best worn juxtaposing its soft and feminine feel with grungy moto or combat boots. They add a much-needed edge to a delicate silhouette and may or may not have you feeling like you’re in an Olivia Rodrigo music video.

Blazer Dresses and Lace-Up Boots

Not sure what to wear to the office? Then bring about some boldness to your business attire by wearing a blazer dress with some lace up boots. While the tailoring of a blazer dress immediately exudes a professional polish the coquettish flare of lace up boots can make it look more fashion-forward than corporate-approved.

Textured Frocks and Rainboots

You can’t always predict the weather but that doesn’t mean that you can’t come up with ravishing outfit on those rainy days. Obviously, rainboots are a must have for those wet walks to the office but if you’re going to be making moves in the raing then why not wear a dress that will move and swish along with you? A textured dress will bring an interesting visual contrast to the sleekness of rainboots that makes a compelling yet chic case.

Floral Dresses and White Chelsea Boots

Floral dresses are one of our favorite summer staples. Still, you can adapt yours to shoulder seasons with the right footwear, like these white Chelsea boots. Darker florals that incorporate white work for both spring and fall.

Sheer Dresses and Tall Leather Boots

Sheer dresses take sexy to the next level. The skin-baring, cheeky look works especially well for those late nights out, but it doesn’t have to solely be worn with heels. This is where the wrong shoe theory comes into play: Add a level of casualness—and coverage—with a pair of tall leather boots, letting your shoe of choice shine through the mesh fabric.

Midi Dresses and Ankle Boots

Pairing colors together may seem like a decision destined to clash, but don’t be afraid to add even more color to an already bold dress. An ankle boot provides a comfortable and stylish option for exaggerating those vibrant hues without going overboard. Experiment with different prints and make a statement with this perennial staple.

Dresses With Slits and Thigh-High Boots

For those who enjoy the sheer trend, cutout dresses are likely a staple in their wardrobe. However, if stilettos or strappy sandals no longer seem to do the trick, thigh-high boots can offer a luxurious touch. This is especially true if the dress has a high slit, which only adds to the already-dramatic ensemble.

Shirt Dresses and Knee-High Boots

Make a crisp shirt dress feel even more chic in the office by playing around with proportions. If you’re working in a plain itty bitty button-down, throw on a pair of knee-hitting patent leather boots.

Tips

When styling a dress with boots, you can either go for a tiny heel or a thick platform—both will give a bit of lift on the legs and elevate your look.

Oversized Shirts and Slouchy Boots

If you’re into experimental fashion, a slouchy boot might just be the perfect addition to your outfit. To pull off this look, consider pairing it with an oversized shirt that doubles as a dress. Depending on the length of your dress and the shaft of your boots, it can look like you’re wearing jeans or pantaleggings.

Neutral Hues and Animal Print Boots

If your color palette of the day is more muted, spruce up your dress with a pair of embossed boots. We’re most fond of a snakeskin print, and whether you choose bright neons or toned-down neutrals, it’ll give a much-needed texture and vibrance to your look. Thankfully, with the advancement of technology, there are plenty of ethical choices to choose from.

Babydoll Dresses and Cowboy Boots

Emma Chamberlain is on to something here. She styles her yellow babydoll dress with red cowboy boots—and it’ll forever live on our outfit mood board. A babydoll dress, both mini or midi versions, can add a playful and dainty vibe to the western silhouette.

Strapless Dresses and Moto Boots

Level up your motorcycle boots by pairing them with a denim dress. The row of buckles on the side adds a hardcore feel to an overall casual outfit. Best of all, this low-maintenance outfit seamlessly goes from day to night.

Flowy Maxis and Shearling Boots

We’re about to head into strange seasonal territory where all rules for dressing go out the window as the weather and temperatures become wildly unpredictable. So why not match it with unexpected pairings? A flowy maxy dress and shearling boots may seem wacky on paper, but in practice, it’s a cozy callback to the boho renaissance that’s perfect for the autumnal months.

Read the original article on InStyle