I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I have a problem when it comes to black boots.
But really, who could blame me? They’re timeless, endlessly versatile and available in countless styles, silhouettes and heel heights. During the frigid winter months, I’m partial to versions that hit at or around the knee, since I live in dresses and skirts; the tall boot-and-tights combo keeps my legs from freezing and creates a long, lean line at the same time.
And while my closet’s positively bursting with boots in the classic color, there’s one pair I’ve been wearing more than any other for the past year or so: Loeffler Randall’s Gia style.
At 2 inches, the heel is perfect for everyday wear; I can walk endless miles in these beauties, but they still give you a nice little height boost. And unlike most tall boots on the market, they’re pull-on instead of zippered, which lends a sleek, streamlined look that I love.
They fit true to size and are crazy comfortable, too, making them my go-to for long, busy days at New York Fashion Week or evenings when I’m trying to attend multiple events without having a hail a taxi or call an Uber. The vachetta leather construction is so soft and supple, and the almond-shaped toe looks polished without pinching.
At $695, these boots are definitely an investment — but for me, the cost per wear makes them well worth the splurge. I reach for them so often, in fact, that I recently ordered the brand’s higher-heeled (but otherwise identical) Goldy boots so I can alternate between the two!
My lone criticism of Loeffler Randall’s near-flawless design? The leather soles aren’t as sturdy as they could be for day-in, day-out city wear, especially if you’re planning on trekking through rain or snow. After over a year of wearing my Gias countless times, I finally brought them to the cobbler last week to have rubber soles added so they’re more weather-resistant — and am installing them on my brand-new Goldys, too.
After all, given I won’t be giving these boots the boot anytime soon, I want to make sure my precious purchases are protected.
Below, shop my favorite boots in more shades:
This article was written by Elana Fishman, founding editor of Page Six Style. Elana applies her celebrity fashion and beauty expertise to shoppable content for fellow fans as the host of video series including Style Trial, Heart to Cart and Beauty Scoop — and by tracking down every Taylor Swift-worn style so you can shop it, too. Elana consults celebrity stylists on the latest street style and red carpet trends, researches which celebrity-backed brands and products are worth it, and chats with the stars themselves for beauty and fashion recommendations. Prior to Page Six Style’s inception in 2018, Elana covered celebrity fashion at Vox Media, Lucky, Marie Claire and Teen Vogue.