Ankle Boot Styles

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Ankle boots may have started as a fashion trend, but they are now officially solidified as a style staple for both men and women. They are the most versatile shoe you can get. You can wear an ankle boot with with a chic suit or dress as easily as you can wear them with cut-offs or chinos. Either invest in one pair of high-quality boots, or buy several in different styles for more diversity.

Multi-Purpose Styles

The mid-heel slip-on leather ankle boot in a dark color such as black or espresso brown will give a woman ample style opportunities. This is a smart investment boot. A high-quality boot will go with just about anything in your closet, and last you for years. Wear a classic-black leather ankle boot with your favorite dark denim, along with a T-shirt and blazer. Dress up a classic bootie with black tights, a pleated miniskirt and chunky sweater. A thick heel or wedge style are the most comfortable for all-day wear. The desert boot is the men's version of this multi-purpose style of ankle boot. Wear a dark suede desert boot with a pair of cuffed chinos and a T-shirt. Desert boots are a refined enough style to also wear with a pair of dress pants and a sport coat.

Edgy Styles

Ankle boots with studs or metal detailing are the perfect choice for anyone looking to add edge to any outfit. In women's fashion, a row of buckles on a black-flat boot adds just the right amount of punk-rock edge to an otherwise practical boot. Wear them with a pair of black slim-cut jeans and a billowy button-down for a stylish mix of soft and edgy. In menswear a pair of black or deep-brown ankle-high motorcycle boots that feature reinforced stitching, side harnesses with straps as well as metal studs and rings give your outfit a rockstar-rugged look. Wear them with a thick-raw denim or a similar pant that can hold it's own against the weight of these manly boots.

Polished Looks

An ankle boot is a chic alternative to a classic pump or dress shoe. Style your finest skirt-suit with a high-heel lace-up ankle boot. The beauty of this boot is that it looks just as lovely under any pair of trousers -- wide-leg, cropped or straight leg. Men who invest in a pair of ankle-height brogue boots will find that they do the job that any classic wing-tip dress shoe does with a business suit. They are a less-frequented but equally sophisticated shoe style.

Sexy Stilettos

Few shoe styles can beat a stiletto in the sex-appeal department. If you're opting for the stiletto-style for ankle boot be sure to make it a statement shoe. This is not the shoe to throw on for a long day of running around, but it is the shoe to choose if you want to get noticed. A satin lace-up ankle boot with an open-toe design, a suede-fringe lace-up, or a black suede with gold pin-stud detailing are all chic options for the style of boot. Be sure to wear your sexy stiletto with an outfit that shows them off. A pair of cropped-tuxedo pants, a little black dress or a pencil skirt will all do the trick.