Style Decider: Exactly What Type of Boot to Wear with What Type of Skirt

No exposed skin means no *frostbitten* skin. The vibes here can be '70s or Victorian, depending on the fabric and the styling, but whatever time period you're going for, watch out for proportion. Wide on top + wide on the bottom = you're a pillow.

L.K. Bennett over-the-knee boot, $695, lkbennett.com; Zara midi skirt, $13, zara.com.

Oh? You don't have an accordion-pleated, preferably foil-finish skirt yet? Me neither, but we should really get on that because they are swishy! And Gucci. Alessandro Michele started out pairing them with loafers and pumps, but for pre-fall, he went with tall, metallic boots. Don't tell him this, but I like the more recent footwear choice better—less precious, you know?

Zara pleated skirt, $40, zara.com; L.K. Bennett over-the-knee boot, $695, lkbennett.com.

Alternatively, a high-rise boot with a modest heel can de-sexify a miniskirt when it's too cold out to wear your regular glitter socks and brogues.

A Common Space grommet skirt, $20, acommonspace.com; L.K. Bennett suede knee-length boots, $695, lkbennett.com.

If you're afraid the proposed formula will chop your body into weird segments, don't be—the point of a sock boot is that, while it covers part of the shin, the stretchy upper molds to the leg.

Topshop embroidered skirt, $210, topshop.com; Topshop curved-heel boots, $170, topshop.com.

But more leg—thanks to lower-cut boots and a non-cheesy high-low hem—is cool too.

COS skirt, $62, cosstores.com; Charles & Keith block-heel boots, $80, charleskeith.com.