How to Wear Ankle Boots Over 40?

Fashion is often unfairly associated with the youth, with the misconception that it’s exclusively meant for the 20-somethings. While it’s true that the younger generation holds significant influence in setting trends, it’s crucial not to dismiss the style potential of those beyond this age range. Age, gender, or any demographic should never be a barrier in the world of fashion. Icons like Anna Wintour, Rihanna, Stella McCartney, and Billy Porter continue to shape the industry, proving that age is no hindrance to style. In this blog, we’ll challenge the notion that fashion has an age limit and provide a style crash course on how to rock a timeless classic – ankle boots – for those over 40. These versatile shoes are a wardrobe necessity for all core aesthetics, offering an effortless way to earn style points at any age. If you’re unsure about how to wear ankle boots over 40, stay tuned for some outfit ideas that will inspire your fashion journey.

• What Are Ankle Boots?
• History Of Ankle Boots
• Outfit Ideas With Ankle Boots Over 40
• Types of ankle boots
• What Type Of Ankle Boot Outfits Can You Get?
• How To Style Ankle Boot Outfits
• Fashion Tips To Avoid With Ankle Boot Outfits
• Do’s And Don’t Of Styling Ankle Boots For 40+ Women

What Are Ankle Boots?

Ankle boots, a style of footwear providing full coverage, are popular in colder seasons. Trendsetters often choose options with block heels or platforms for added height. Crafted from durable materials like leather and suede, these boots withstand everyday wear. Available in diverse styles, from gothic buckled platforms to minimalistic block heels, ankle boots cater to various aesthetic preferences.

History Of Ankle Boots

The history of boots dates back to prehistoric times, but let’s fast forward to the early 19th century. The ankle boot, while having early traces in the 1500s, gained popularity with the invention of the Blucher in 1817. Originally worn by laborers, its practicality and timeless silhouette made it a part of everyday dress. The lace-up design of the Blucher influenced women’s footwear, leading to the creation of vulcanized rubber boots. Ankle boots became a staple in traditional Englishwear, even donned by Queen Victoria with an elasticized gusset. Over the years, the versatile silhouette evolved to embrace various trends, including iconic styles like go-go boots and cowboy boots.

Outfit Ideas With Ankle Boots Over 40

An outfit for someone over 40 can be styled in various ways, including:

• Dress With Ankle Boots Over 40
• Jeans With Ankle Boots Over 40
• Skirt With Ankle Boots Over 40
• Other Outfits With Ankle Boots Over 40

Dress With Ankle Boots Over 40 

Shift Dress

A timeless shift dress paired with chic ankle boots, a sleek leather jacket, and a statement black handbag creates a sophisticated ensemble for fashion-forward women over 40, effortlessly elevated with stylish sunglasses.

Shirt Dress

Elevate your style in a chic shirt dress paired with ankle boots, complemented by a crossbody bag, trendy sunglasses, and a timeless watch – a sophisticated ensemble for fashion-forward women over 40.

Floral Dress

Elevate your style with a sophisticated floral dress paired with chic ankle boots, effortlessly complemented by a timeless denim jacket – a flawless ensemble for fashion-forward women over 40.

Mini Dress

A chic ensemble for women over 40: Elevate your style with a timeless mini dress paired gracefully with ankle boots, complemented by a sleek sling bag for a sophisticated and modern flair.

Animal Print Dress

Elevate your style in your 40s with a chic animal print dress paired with sophisticated ankle boots, complemented by a timeless blazer and a matching handbag. Complete the look with stylish sunglasses for a confident and on-trend ensemble.

Leather Dress

Elevate your style after 40 with a chic leather dress paired effortlessly with ankle boots, completing the look with a sleek belt, statement sunglasses, and a touch of elegance with hoop earrings.

Sweater Dress

A chic ensemble for women over 40: Embrace sophistication with a sleek sweater dress paired gracefully with ankle boots, complemented by a stylish belt, oversized sunglasses, and a classic tote bag for a timeless and confident look.

Maxi Dress

Elevate your style in your 40s with a chic maxi dress paired effortlessly with ankle boots, accentuated by a touch of timeless elegance with stacked bangles.

Wrap Dress

A chic ensemble for women over 40: Pair a timeless wrap dress with sophisticated ankle boots, and elevate the look with stylish sunglasses and a statement necklace for effortless elegance.

Denim Dress 

Elevate your style at 40 with a chic denim dress paired seamlessly with ankle boots, complemented by a trendy crossbody bag, sleek sunglasses, and a timeless watch for a polished and confident ensemble.

Jeans With Ankle Boots Over 40 

Bell bottom Jeans

Stylish over 40: Embrace retro charm with bell-bottom jeans paired flawlessly with chic ankle boots, topped off with a trendy coverup for a timeless and confident ensemble.

Flare Jeans

Elevate your style in your 40s with a chic ensemble featuring timeless flare jeans paired with sophisticated ankle boots, topped off with a touch of wild flair in an animal print shirt.

Skinny Jeans

Effortlessly chic, a pair of skinny jeans paired with ankle boots creates a modern silhouette for women over 40. Complete the look with a stylish sweater, sunglasses, a chic belt, and a classic watch for timeless sophistication.

Cropped Jeans

Effortlessly chic over 40: Cropped jeans paired with ankle boots, a crisp white top, adorned with elegant earrings, a timeless watch, and a stylish long cardigan for a polished, age-defying ensemble.

Wide leg Jeans

Stylish over 40 women effortlessly rock wide-leg jeans paired with chic ankle boots, complemented by a sophisticated black top and a trendy shoulder bag for a timeless and age-defying ensemble.

Mom Jeans

Effortlessly chic, a mature style statement: Mom jeans paired with ankle boots, topped with a cozy hoodie, and cinched with a sleek belt for a timeless yet trendy ensemble for women over 40.

Skirt With Ankle Boots Over 40 

Maxi Skirt

A sophisticated ensemble for women over 40: Elevate your style with a flowing maxi skirt paired effortlessly with ankle boots, complemented by a chic top and statement sunglasses for a timeless and fashionable look.

Pencil Skirt

Elevate your style at 40 with a chic ensemble featuring a tailored pencil skirt paired gracefully with ankle boots, complemented by a sophisticated high-neck top and a statement handbag for a timeless and polished look.

Denim Skirt

Effortlessly chic over 40: Pair a timeless denim skirt with ankle boots, elevate the look with a paisley top, accessorize with a stylish handbag, necklace, and sunglasses for a modern, ageless ensemble.

Mini Skirt

A chic ensemble for women over 40: Pair a trendy mini skirt with ankle boots, complemented by a white top, accessorized with a stylish handbag, necklace, sunglasses, watch, and bracelets for a timeless and confident look.

Tulle Skirt

Elevate your style at 40 with a timeless ensemble: a chic tulle skirt paired effortlessly with ankle boots, a sophisticated high-neck top, adorned with a cross necklace, and finished with a touch of glamour – oversized sunglasses.

Floral Skirt

A chic ensemble for women over 40: Pair a floral skirt with ankle boots, topped with a stylish blouse, complemented by a statement necklace, tights, and adorned with rings and a bracelet for a timeless yet trendy look.

Midi Skirt

Sophisticated midi skirt paired with chic ankle boots, complemented by a stylish top, cable necklace, leather jacket, and sunglasses for a timeless and confident ensemble for women over 40.

Pleated Skirt

Elevate your over-40 style with a chic pleated skirt paired effortlessly with ankle boots, complemented by a high-neck top, sunglasses, statement earrings, a sleek belt, and a sophisticated handbag – finished with a timeless watch for a polished, ageless ensemble.

Other Outfits With Ankle Boots Over 40 

Shorts

Sophisticated over 40 flair: Tailored shorts paired with chic ankle boots, a structured blazer, clear sunglasses, a beret hat, drop earrings, and stylish tights for a timeless ensemble.

Leather Jacket

A stylish ensemble for women over 40: Pair a sleek leather jacket with chic ankle boots, completing the look with a flattering dress, coordinating bracelet, and tasteful tights for a timeless and confident appearance.

Denim Jacket

A timeless denim jacket paired with a chic dress, complemented by classic ankle boots and stylish tights, creates a sophisticated and ageless ensemble for women over 40.

Blazer

Elevate your style after 40 with a sophisticated blazer paired with ankle boots, creating a timeless and chic ensemble. Complete the look with a flattering dress and clear sunglasses for a touch of modern elegance.

Trench Coat

An elegant trench coat, ankle boots, and skinny jeans; sunglasses, a chic wallet, and a scarf complete the timeless fall ensemble for fashion-forward women over 40.

Leather Coat

A timeless leather coat paired with chic ankle boots effortlessly elevates the style of women over 40, embracing sophistication in skinny jeans, complemented by sunglasses, earrings, and a bracelet for a polished ensemble.

Sweater

A cozy cashmere sweater paired with classic skinny jeans, ankle boots, and a stylish puffer vest exudes effortless sophistication for the modern woman over 40, complete with delicate stud earrings, a chic cable bracelet, and a practical yet fashionable handbag.

Jumpsuit

Elevate your style after 40 with a chic jumpsuit paired with sophisticated ankle boots, topped off with a tailored blazer. Complete the look with a timeless watch and stylish sunglasses for a modern and ageless ensemble.

Romper

A chic romper paired with sophisticated ankle boots creates a timeless ensemble for women over 40, elevated with sunglasses, a stylish hat, and a classic handbag for a polished finishing touch.

Leather Leggings

Sophisticated yet comfortable, a pair of sleek Leather leggings paired with chic ankle boots, topped with a cozy sweater, adorned with hoop earrings and a statement necklace, effortlessly elevates the style of women over 40.

Types of ankle boots

When you’re considering the type of boot to buy, there are 5 things to think about. Shaft height, heel height, toe shape, color, and boot material.

The shaft of the boot is the section that runs from the top of the heel to the uppermost part of the boot, measured along the back of the footwear.

An ankle boot is crafted with a shaft that terminates around the ankle rather than extending to the knee.

• Shaft height. Ankle boots typically come in three different shaft heights. With a low shaft height of around 3 inches, these ankle booties elegantly showcase the ankle bone. Ideal companions for skinny jeans, they also add a touch of charm when paired with midi or maxi dresses. A medium-height shaft, extending a couple of inches above the ankle, typically measures around 5 inches. Lug soles and traditional Chelsea boots are currently featuring this medium-high shaft style. Pair these boots with cropped jeans and pants that gracefully reach the top of the medium-high shaft for a stylish look. Last, High ankle boots typically feature a shaft measuring approximately 6 inches or more, extending a few inches above the ankle. These boots are designed to be worn under your jeans or pants hem. Some high-shaft boots also come with laces, reminiscent of styles like Doc Martens, resembling combat boots with a shaft height of around 6.5 inches.
• Heel height. Choose ankle boot heel height based on your height and lifestyle. While higher heels elongate legs, prioritize comfort over torture. Options include flat boots, chunky heels, platform boots, stilettos, and high heels for a versatile range of casual to dressy looks.
• Toe shape. The shape of your toe can influence the perceived length of your legs. Opting for pointed-toe boots is an excellent choice to create the illusion of longer legs. However, if pointed toes are uncomfortable for your feet, consider alternatives like almond-shaped or round toes with an elongated toe box.
• Boot color. Opt for a boot color that enhances the illusion of longer legs. Choosing boots that match your skin tone effectively extends your leg line. Alternatively, coordinating your pants or skirt with the color of your boots creates a seamless look, giving the appearance of longer legs. Whether it’s classic black, pristine white, sophisticated taupe, rich brown, or any other shade, you’ll find a variety of boots in stores to suit your style.
• Boot material. The appearance of boots, influenced by factors like material and finish (suede, shiny, or matte), plays a crucial role in determining their level of sophistication. Suede tan booties lean towards a casual vibe, while shiny black boots can be elevated for a dressier look, especially with trousers or a skirt. Your style should guide your choices—whether it’s elongating pointed-toe boots or the comfort of almond or round toes with a long-toe box. These are just starting points; adopt tips that resonate with your style, and remember, Be So You is here to empower you to wear what makes you feel fantastic.

What Type Of Ankle Boot Outfits Can You Get?

Contrary to popular belief, individuals over 40 have the freedom to dress in whatever way they choose.

Experimenting with fashion is not exclusive to any particular demographic; everyone should feel free to explore their style. Let’s delve into some dress senses that might resonate particularly well with 40-year-olds when it comes to ankle boots.

This list serves as a teaser, providing a glimpse of outfit ideas. Its exclusions don’t imply that other styles shouldn’t be embraced by this age group:

• Minimalism: This core aesthetic revolves around timeless wardrobe staples and neutral hues, making it an excellent foundation for those seeking guidance on styling ankle boots after 40.
• Streetwear: Contrary to common belief, dressing in styles like jeans, fur coats, neon colors, and mini-dresses is not limited to those in their 20s. People of various ages can confidently embrace and rock these fashion choices.
• Academia: If you love white button-ups, trousers, and sweater vests, highly recommend exploring this core aesthetic.
• Semi-Casual Corporate Wear: This trend blends professional office wear with casual clothing.
• The ‘Fashion Editor’ Look: Previously mentioned in earlier outfits, this aesthetic typically includes essential wardrobe pieces, complementary silhouettes, and minimal accessories.

How To Style Ankle Boot Outfits

Accessories wield the power to elevate or diminish an outfit. Keeping this in mind, here are some styling tips to enhance your overall look. Need guidance on styling ankle boots after 40?

No need to worry! Here are some tips to transform any regular outfit into an Instagram-worthy moment:

• Bell Bottoms: The flared silhouette of these pants complements ankle boots perfectly, offering a stylish contrast to the slim-fit nature of the shoes.
• Accent Heels: Fed up with the monotony of black leather boots? Well, rejoice because accent heels are here to break the routine. From cheetah prints to tortoise and marble, there’s a variety of options to add a dash of flair to your footwear.
• Jewelry: Enhance your look effortlessly with a delicate necklace or bold statement earrings. These accessories are surefire ways to add a touch of glamour to your overall appearance.
• Leather Belts: Optimal ankle boot styling involves pairing them with materials of the same kind, like leather.
• Blazers: If stilettos aren’t your preference, opt for heeled ankle boots as a comfortable alternative. They still exude a classic corporate aesthetic.

Fashion Tips To Avoid With Ankle Boot Outfits

Restricting an entire age group to a single core aesthetic is problematic, yet some closed-minded fashion enthusiasts continue to endorse this approach.

Wear what you love, irrespective of age. In this segment, let’s shift our focus to styling tips that go beyond age, specifically highlighting the versatility of ankle boots.

• Beachwear: Bikinis, beach cover-ups, and rattan accents don’t quite harmonize with the autumnal vibe exuded by ankle boots.
• Floor-Dragging Garments: Opt for cropped dresses or trousers when showcasing statement shoes. Full-length garments often conceal your footwear, so choosing shorter alternatives ensures your stylish kicks get the attention they deserve.
• Time and Place: Typically, it’s not advisable to sport gothic platform boots at a wedding.
• Athleisure: Activewear paired with boots can be likened to the fashion equivalent of pineapple on pizza.
• Cargo Shorts: No need for an explanation on why this outfit doesn’t work with ankle boots – a glance at early 2000s fashion says it all.

Do’s And Don’t Of Styling Ankle Boots For 40+ Women

• Opt for a chic look by ensuring your pants sit above your ankle shoes. Tuck the hems of your jeans into your boots or fold them just above for a stylish touch.
• Coordinate the color of your pants or jeans with your boots to create a taller and more cohesive appearance.
• Opt for matching socks with your boots instead of contrasting colors for a polished look.
• Pair low-cut ankle boots with your summer ensemble for a trendy appearance.

Conclusion:

Embracing ankle boots over 40 is not only stylish but also practical. By choosing the right style, pairing them with versatile outfits, and considering comfort, you can effortlessly incorporate ankle boots into your wardrobe. These versatile footwear options can elevate your fashion game, allowing you to express your style while staying on-trend. Remember, age is just a number, and fashion knows no boundaries – so step into those ankle boots with confidence and stride into a fabulous, fashionable future!