Chic Lug Sole + Combat Boots.

It’s clear from this past week’s most popular items and the questions submitted to my most recent call for Magpie shopping requests that almost all of us are shopping for boots right now. There have been a lot of requests for tall suede boots to pair with fall dresses for under $500 and my top picks are these Alexandre Birmans (on sale!) and these J. McLaughlins. If you need a lower heel, this J. Crew pair is tres chic as well.

But I want to push myself out of my own comfort zone and contemplate a new pair of lug sole or combat boots. These are on-trend and I am angling for a pair. I would style by pairing with ultra-feminine, ultra-luxe-looking pieces to balance out the edginess of the style, just as Olivia Palermo does above — think ladylike, textured jackets (one seen below is on sale for $150; more options here), soft knits (sweater seen at top right below is only $32!; and I also like these boots with sweater dresses and shared tons of chic options here), and anything silk (like a slip dress or a skirt).

My favorites are this nude Aquazzura, these practical (waterproof!) Sam Edelmans (which cost a fraction of the price of the Aquazzuras and nail a similar vibe), and the bejeweled styles from Roger Vivier (seen above and below). However, HOT tip: this pair from Alex Marie is nearly identical and only $129. It also comes in a heathered gray fabric variation.

J. CREW JACKET // ROGER VIVIER BOOTS // AQUAZZURA BOOTS // FUNNEL NECK SWEATER ($32!) // STAR HAIR SLIDES ($18 FOR 3) // SLIP SKIRT // MARC JACOBS HANDBAG // DAZE BOOTS // STUART WEITZMAN SHEARLING BOOTS // STAUD SWEATER DRESS // SAM EDELMAN WATERPROOF BOOTS // NICOLA BATHIE EARRINGS // SHERPA BAG ($30! — REMINDS ME OF THE STYLES FROM STAND STUDIO) // SHRIMPS EARRINGS // MME MINK CAPE // CHARLES HENRY BLACK SWEATER DRESS // TALBOTS FUR TRIM BOOTS // ROGER VIVIER BAG // J. CREW BOOTS // ROGER VIVIER BOOTS (GET THE LOOK FOR $129 WITH THESE ALEX MARIE JEWELED BOOTS)

Not seen above, but also worth a gander:

GIANVITO ROSSI

SOREL SHEARLING TRIM COMBAT BOOTS

SUEDE + KNIT LUG SOLES (UNDER $200)

STREAMLINED STUART WEITZMANS

THE EDGIEST OF THE BUNCH

STEAL FROM H&M!

P.S. More fabulous glitzy finds here and here.

P.P.S. Also loving corduroy and chocolate brown this season.

P.P.P.S. I still remember how it felt when things started to move again in Manhattan after what felt like a year of dead: “What felt like quagmire now runs swiftly underfoot, as though a thin trickle of water has made its way through a stagnant pool and is now racing, rushing, crashing into a downhill stream turned river. That thin trickle was hope. It was the beginning of a prayer, the headwater of a Hail Mary.” More here.