Style: Air & Grace’s Coachella Tan Leather Ankle Boots

For years and years I’ve suffered from horribly achy legs when I’ve been walking about for more than an hour or so. My feet hurt, and the pain radiates up and down from hip to toes, making the bath my best friend at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter whether I am in ballet flats or trainers – always that awful ache.

A couple of weeks back I took my sister in her wheelchair visit to Cruft’s dog show. It takes place at the UK’s largest exhibition centre, the NEC in Birmingham. I pushed that chair for nearly six hours though all six exhibition halls and, by the end of it, a miracle had occurred – no pain. Nothing, not an incipient blister, rubbed toe or heel, or screaming hamstring.

So thank you to my new Air & Grace Coachella ankle boots. Whilst they have the perfect almond toe – no cramped feet, and a heel that’s just high enough to give a lift (I hate being flat to the ground) but still perfect for running around in, the secret sauce is Air & Grace’s patent pending Tender Loving Air® technology (similar technology to that found in running trainers) to provide three layers of luxurious memory foam cushioning cleverly hidden in the soles.

The line is the brainchild of Claire Burrows, formerly head of ALDO UK, who has taken her twenty year’s experience at international footwear brands including Office, Kurt Geiger and FitFlop to produce the ultimate stylish comfortable shoe – using premium Italian leather on the uppers – that looks nothing like an orthopaedic style nightmare.

They’ll look great toughening up a floaty dress when the weather warms up (I’ve got my eye on this Ganni one), and go perfectly with my summer staple: the denim cut off. They’re already in strong rotation in my wardrobe, and I suspect I may well be investing in the black pair too. I’m particularly pleased because they’ll multi-task brilliantly on all my trips in all weathers – smart enough for meetings, great for weekends, and perfect for sightseeing.

I’m also wearing DL1961′s Florence InstaSculpt Jeans in superstretch denim, which are that holy grail of comfort and flattering. They’ve a high waist to hold my tum in, excellent leg lengthening properties and, after countless washes, look as good as new.

The coat is a faux sheepskin from the Sue Ryder charity shop in Camden – I saw it in the window towards the end of London Fashion Week in February, where one of the prevailing trends for next winter (AW15) was sheepskin and shearling.

For me, the main downside of shearling is that if you get caught in the rain, you tend to smell of damp sheep. And, of course, it is proper heavy, so useless for travelling. So, I’m rather in love with my £20 super lightweight and practically indistinguishable-from-the-real-thing bargain.

Credits:
DL1961 Florence InstaSculpt Jeans
CHANEL Nail Varnish in Tapage 605 from the Printemps 15 collection.
Air & Grace Coachella boot (also available in black) £195 (gifted)