Now that the last official days of summer have whizzed past us in a haze of blurry heat, cold treats and afternoons at the beach, it's time to start thinking about autumn. I realise that, for many of us, winter seems a million years away as we kick our toesin the sand and our farmers lament the scorched earth, but as sure as the sun will fade, colder temperatures will arrive.
And while the chillier climes are yet to park themselves on our collective doorsteps, this year's autumn and winter collections are turning up (somewhat uninvited) already. The summer sales have dwindled to a close, designers are flat out packing and posting their collections to stores and the racks are bulging once more with the promise of a new season's delights.
So now is the perfect time to start thinking trans-seasonal. I'm talking about ways to evolve your one-layer, easy, breezy summer wardrobe into one that is more suited to the cooler temperatures of autumn. The easiest way to do this is with footwear. One of my favourite parts of the ride into autumn is the chance to put away the jandals and open-toe shoes and opt for something a little more substantial. And by that, I mean the ankle boot.
The ankle boot is, in fact, the perfect shoe. In flat or heeled, wedge or stiletto, the ankle boot will suit every situation. Wear them with flippy little dresses and shorts in summer for an edgy look, then simply add tights and a jacket as the weather cools. They look great with skinny jeans or skirts, casual or formal.
And at the moment, they're everywhere, in every possible incarnation. There's an ankle boot to suit all tastes. Be it the punky Doc Martens style, wedge high-top sneakers, a dressier stiletto heel or loose-fit cowboy styles, there really is something for everyone.
There's also a great range of colours, so if you're after something with a little pop that will last you through autumn, winter and next spring, go for a teal, forest green or cherry red. There's also tapestry, suede or patent. Whatever your pleasure or price point, there's an ankle boot to suit. It's going to be a boot-iful autumn, indeed.
