Combat boots are a trend I didn’t think I would jump on, and for the longest time – I didn’t. But, I’ve broadened my horizons and have come to love wearing them. They’re comfortable and they give a little edge to an outfit. If you’re interested in trying out the combat boot trend I have a few ideas for ways you can wear them – even when you’re petite.
Ways to Wear Combat Boots
The first key to wearing a pair of combat boots is finding the pair that has the right proportions. I love this pair from Nine West. They aren’t too tall in the shaft and I like the tan trim. They’re also overall a slim-fitting combat boot. You don’t have to have this exact pair, but I think combat boots look best on someone who is petite when they have a lighter sole, and a medium height shaft, instead of a super tall one, which would just shorten your legs more.
Next, how do you wear them? Combat boots aren’t leg elongating no matter how you look at them, so you’re going to have to create the illusion of length with what you wear with them. Typically that means wearing dark bottoms with them, whether it be tights, leggings, or black jeans.
Short Dress/Skirt + Tights
If you’re going to wear a dress or a skirt with combat boots, it has to be a short one, definitely above the knee. In particular, I like the way they look with tights, over bare legs. You could go with sheer tights or opaque like I have on. For what it’s worth, that advice really only goes for Petites, if you have longer legs, your hemline doesn’t necessarily have to be shorter.
Tights | Boots TTS | Bag | Dress Petite XS
Sweater XS | Tights | Skirt XS | Boots TTS | Bag | Coat Petite 0
Leggings
Next, the way I personally wear my combat boots the most is with leggings. I’ve worn them in this post with cotton leggings and in today’s post with a pair of leather leggings. Leggings are slim on the leg just like tights, so it lets the boots be the biggest part, instead of jeans that are thick and run into thick boots, which overall makes you shorter.
Boots TTS | Leggings XS | Sweater XXS | Coat Petite 00 | Bag
Dark Jeans
Jeans aren’t my favorite thing to wear with combat boots, but I will definitely wear them together. For me, skinny and dark are the key points. Typically that’s black or gray instead of blue. I prefer to keep the jeans as skinny as possible. I’ve seen combat boots worn with straight jeans and it looks great – on someone who is tall. I’ve tried it on myself and I just looked like a hobbit. I don’t like to say “no” to wearing anything a certain way, because I think style is individual and all about what you feel good in. However, for me, skinny jeans look and feel the best with combat boots.
Boots TTS | Flannel Top XXS | Turtleneck XS | Bag | Jeans 0 X-Short
Boots TTS | Jeans Petite 25 | Coat XS | Sweater Small | Necklace
Other Tips
Wear a Long Jacket or Sweater
Another way you can look a little taller in combat boots is with a long top or jacket. You can look at the pictures I’ve shared in this post and how in the outfit where the jacket hits at my hip my legs look much shorter than in the outfits where I’m wearing a long jacket. It doesn’t have to be a coat, the topper could also be a blazer with a modern long fit or a duster cardigan.
Go Monochrome
I wanted to show multiple ways to wear combat boots, but if you go for monochrome all black, you’ll look a little longer and taller.
If you’re loving the trend, I say go for it! Just because something may not look the same on you as it does on someone who is a foot taller than you – doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear it.
-Brooke
