5 Over 50 Challenge: Boots!

Anna from Anna's Island Style has set this month's challenge for the intrepid 5 Over 50 fashion bloggers, and it's "These boots are made for walking."
I've never owned over-the-knee boots and thought it would make a change to give them a whirl instead of my usual ankle boots. They are, I'm assured, still "a thing" for autumn.

I'm a bit wary of wearing them in too brazen a way as it might be a little, er, mutton. So I've chosen to wear them with a favourite skirt that is normally a tricky proposition for boots because there's a gap between skirt hem and boot top, which I hate.  If you were more daring you would wear a shorter skirt or dress in a different colour than your over-the-knee boots. Hilda is wearing over-the-knee boots over trousers which is another great way of wearing them.

The boots are soft pull-on "sock boots," which put an end to the misery of struggling to get boots over stout calves. They really are a fantastic invention and comfortable too!

I'm wearing the boots with a wide belt which is crucial to pulling the look together. I'm a great fan of belts like this - it's made of leather but has a little elastic so that it hugs the waist. You may remember a navy version which I wore here. These belts hark back to the days when stylist Gok Wan had a style show on Channel 4, and his advice to ladies of all sizes was to use a belt to emphasise their shape.

It definitely works, and I find it's useful to wear a waist belt over a long top when tucking it in looks too bulky. What I'm wearing looks like a dress but it's a black top worn over what must be my best skirt ever. This little skirt came from Marks and Spencer a few years ago and I've worn it nonstop, even though I've since bought newer black skirts. The black top from Finery London has a spectacular corsage embellishment.

You may be able to detect from the lighting and my hair colour that the photos were taken a while ago. Early September.  I had just done this shoot when Anna told us the challenge for November. I'm already feeling nostalgic for the summer. 

All I needed to add was my leopard print clutch and large faux pearls, and I'm good to go for after work drinks or out for dinner.

Outfit Details

Black embellished top, Finery London; belt, Julian Clarke from Once Upon A Belt; skirt, Marks and Spencer, old; leopard print clutch, Next, past season; over-the-knee sock boots, Next 

Sharing this post with Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb, Patti at Not Dead Yet Style, Fake it Until You Make It at Fake Fabulous, Creative Mondays at Claire Justine, Emma at Stylesplash, Jess at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish

Are You Muttoned Up?

Don't miss a post -  follow my blog on Bloglovin or Feedspot (where Is This Mutton? is in the top 30 fashion blogs for the over-40s). You'll love "handbag of the day" on the Is This Mutton? Facebook page. And check out the Is This Mutton? Pinterest boards, including boards on other bloggers in fab outfits plus beauty, jewellery, hairstyles and fashion picks. Is This Mutton? is also on Twitter.  

Let's see how the other ladies got on ------

Jacqui from Mummabstylish has created a very lux look with her pale pale pink boots and grey pleated skirt. Love the accessories and matching jacket!

Hilda Smith, below, from Over The Hilda looks stunning - and warm - in her black leather over-the-knee boots, red coat and hat. 

Anna from Anna's Island Style set this challenge and is rocking a 60s vibe to tie-in with Nancy Sinatra's record. Her Lotus boots are ideal for walking as she says they're super comfy.

The ever stylish Laurie from Vanity And Me is breaking one of her own rules and wearing mostly black, with faux leather jeans and black Gabor ankle boots. She always chooses the most amazing scenery, in this case a striking mural.  

Sharing this post with Catherine at Not Dressed As Lamb;  Fake It Until You Make It at Fake Fabulous, Creative Mondays at Claire Justine, Spread the Kindness at Shelbee on the Edge, Emma at Stylesplash, Jess at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,  Ashley and Laurie Link Up, Fabulous Friday at A Pocketful of Polka Dots,Fancy Friday at Nancy's Fashion Style and Top of the World Style at High Latitude Style

Previous Challenges

Hats

Amazing Lace

Orange is the new Black

50 Shades of Monochromatic

Marvellous Metallics

Something old, new, borrowed and blue