It is always great when a trend is also a classic style.  Chelsea boots are a key item this season, but one I’ve always eschewed because it “cuts me off at the ankle” – a term you might be familiar with if you ever watched “What Not to Wear” or the like.  It is a timeworn flattery maxim: Always, always elongate your legs.  As someone on the shorter side, I followed this rule like gospel, but it kept me from a lot of styles I loved.  Still, when I was ready to actually buy my first pair of Chelsea boots, I had some doubts.

I decided to go for a fun pair at a low price point, so I could test out the look without much commitment. Once I got them though, I fell in love.  They are such a statement color, and look just as good with a sleek monochrome look as they do with saturated hues.  And I think my legs look long enough, thank you very much 🙂

I snagged these pewter boots from Zulily, a flash sale site that I refer to as the online Burlington Coat Factory: Tons of tacky crap, but if you dig, you’ll occasionally find an amazing deal.  As their return policies are tough, I tend to only buy brands I know from them – right now, for example, they have a great City Chic sale with tops for $11.

The dress is from one of my favorite plus clothing brands, Mynt 1792.  Their quality is on par with the straight size contemporary labels I’d love to have in #plussizeplease, like Tibi and DVF.   To me, Mynt 1792 is a great example of plus contemporary done right – great fit and on trend accents.  This swingy LBD is a staple weekend dress – great for strolling around the city on one of the last pleasant days we’ve had in a while, and transitioning seamlessly for meeting friends in Harlem for drinks.

Shoulder cutout swing dress: Mynt 1792 (via Gwynnie Bee)

Opaque tights: Hue

Pewter Chelsea boots: Laundry (via Zulily)

Geometric ring: H&M (similar in hammered gold)