5 Fail-Proof Ways to Spring-ify Your Favorite Boots

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Photographed by Phil Oh

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For those who cherish winter coats and cold-weather essentials, the start of spring and summer is a time of mourning. But it doesn’t have to be. Several core items from our wardrobes can be worn now and later, and one of those items is boots. Whether chunky, kitten-heeled, motorcycle-style, or totally flat, there’s an outfit formula that will work.

Vogue’s Guide to Wearing Boots in Warm Weather:

Similar to wearing seasonal hits, like flip-flops or raffia before the summer starts, the nature of succeeding at wearing boots in warm weather lies in your ability to add contrast. A sleeveless sundress with sandals looks great, but it feels even more stylized and fresh with a pair of knee-high boots. The same goes for the poplin skirt; add a suede boot for an unexpected touch of soft texture. Unsure how to style your linen mini-dress this season? A tall tonal boot from Reformation, complemented by modern accessories, rounds out the look. Your go-to baggy trousers can be paired with a strappy tank and booties—chic for summer date nights, too.

Below, five Vogue-approved ways to style your boots for spring and summer.

With a Strapless Dress and Basket Bag

Matteau’s strapless summer dress would, of course, look good with anything—but we’re particularly fond of the silhouette teamed with Mango’s brown knee boots. Keep hues in the same color family by adding a woven basket bag.

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Matteau

strapless gathered organic cotton-poplin midi dress

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Mango

knee-high leather boots

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Dragon Diffusion

Grace Cannage tote bag

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Sophie Buhai

Full Moon necklace

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Good Squish

Cowboy Badlands scrunchie

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Celine

cat eye sunglasses

With a Poplin Skirt and Preppy Polo

The poplin skirt has become a hero item for spring and summer thanks to its endless versatility. Wear yours with button-ups, cardigans, and sporty sweaters alike. Team it up with Staud’s knee-high suede boots while you wait for the weather to warm up just so.

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Ami Paris

short-sleeve polo

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Gabriela Hearst

Penelope linen midi skirt

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Staud

Wally suede knee boots

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Saint Laurent

Le 5 à 7 Supple small leather-trimmed raffia shoulder bag

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Gucci

square frame sunglasses

Mejuri

chunky huggie hoops

With a Strappy Tank and Linen Pant

Update your staple arsenal of warm-weather finds with a multi-layer tank top from Jane Wade and a crinkly pair of breezy trousers from The Row. Both can be worn year after year, and with plenty of different footwear options, like Toteme’s wedge ankle boots, for instance.

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Jane Wade

rib-knit double tank top

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The Row

Hypnosta cotton wide-leg pants

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Loulou de Saison

Baltra cashmere sweater

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Chloé

Horse Medal basket bag

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Toteme

The Sharp leather ankle boots

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Sophie Buhai

Dripping Stone sterling silver garnet earrings

With Silk Shorts and a Lightweight Blazer

There’s nothing quite like finally bearing your legs come summer—we’ve waited long enough to feel the sunlight hit our skin. Dries Van Noten’s silky lace-trimmed shorts are a welcome change from the classic denim Bermuda shorts. Add in a weightless linen blazer and tall kitten-heel boots for an edgy look.

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Banana Republic

draped twill wrap blazer

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Alex Mill

Easy cotton poplin shirt

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Dries Van Noten

lace-trimmed satin shorts

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Khaite

Davis boots

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David Yurman

classic cable bracelet

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Bottega Veneta

Parachute Intrecciato bag

With a Mini Dress and Suede Topper

Linen! Suede! Leather! You might not expect these fabrics to find common ground in the same sentence, nor the same outfit, but think again! A sweet shift from Posse serves as the foundational item here—then add texture with Toteme’s suede shirt (which can be left unbuttoned), Reformation’s knee-high Remy boot, and cool-girl accessories from Lié Studio and Chanel.

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Posse

Poppy mini dress

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Reformation

Remy Knee boot

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The Row

To Go tote

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Toteme

paneled suede overshirt

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Lié Studio

The Mary silver-tone jade necklace

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Chanel

oval sunglasses