Cheryl Shops

Kate Moss has been my style icon for as long as I can remember. She's only four years older than me, which makes her the perfect age to idolize—she's old enough for me to look up to, but close enough in age that we're of the same generation. While some may criticize her for not evolving her style over the years, I love that she remains true to herself and doesn't feel the need to "dress for her age." At 45, Kate looks just as cool and sexy as ever. She also has some go-to outfit formulas, and a Who What Wear story dissecting one of them, Kate Moss has been wearing the same outfit for 15 years, inspired this post. The two key pieces are a leopard-print faux fur coat and a little black dress, but I made a few adjustments for winter (and the fact that I don't roll around in a chauffeur-driven car like she probably does). Here's how I recreated one of Kate Moss's most iconic looks.

Last month, I was out with friends who I hadn't seen in awhile and one asked me how blogging was going. I said great and that I love creating Cheryl Shops, so I hope you, dear reader, enjoy perusing it. She then asked me if brands are sending me clothes to wear. My answer was not yet—but if you're a brand and you're reading this and would like to work with me, please check out my Contact page! Anyway, since nearly everything I wear here is something I've bought for myself, I wanted to create an outfit post featuring pieces that I've already worn in other posts. I was so happy with the result, I wore it to the San Francisco Ballet a few weeks ago. Here's how it all came together.

I'm going to Miami this weekend for a girls' trip with some of my oldest friends, so while it's still technically winter, I have beach weather on the brain. Also, I have so many cute spring and summer dresses, it's a shame they have to languish in my closet for months. So today I'm breaking all the rules and wearing my warm-weather dress now. Take that, January!

With hemlines showing no signs of lowering and designers even embracing the scary no-pants look, there is only one rational solution: over-the-knee boots. I've already seen several pairs out and about in the streets of NYC, and while there are many options out there, the boots I'm after are the ones closer to styles seen on the runway. My criteria: They must have a heel, they must hit above the top of the kneecap, and they must be fitted around the top (no notches or angled cuffs). Of course, this is not a look for everyone; long, thin, toned legs are a plus. But with a well-constructed pair that fits properly, you can at least create that illusion.

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These Sigerson Morrison boots are suede, which does not reflect light like leather does, and that, coupled with the fact that they have stretch, make them perfect for those with thicker legs. (If, like me, you have bony ankles, stay away.) The elastic around the top will keep them in place, and the three-inch heel is definitely manageable.


These Contente boots by Christian Louboutin are definitely an investment, but they're so well engineered, they don't even need zippers, stretch, or any whistles and bells to stay up. They also get bonus points for coming up the highest of any pair featured here, making them perfect for wearing with even your shortest dress.


Like the Sigerson Morrison boots above, these Barbara Bui boots are suede, but unlike the Sigerson Morrisons, they have both an inner zipper, for those who aren't into allover stretch, as well as a hidden platform to add just a little bit more height. (The heel, however, appears just as sturdy.)


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Stuart Weitzman is probably best known for creating comfortable yet stylish shoes for women of a certain age; in the past I've found them a bit too conservative for my taste. Lately, he's trying to appeal to his core customer's daughter (without alienating Mom, of course), which, if you ask me, is a very welcome development. Boots like his suede square-toe platform style are a bargain for the price; I inspected these in person and can vouch that they're soft yet structured, and there's ample padding in the footbed--all the benefits of a mature boot with all the style of a young one. (They're also available in leather, if you prefer.)


I can also vouch for Joie's Twiggy boots, having seen them up close and in person. Joie's footwear is only a few seasons old, but it's quickly becoming a go-to brand for me; the shoes tend to be a bit more classic the very L.A.-girl bohemian clothes. This pair relies on a hidden elastic gore for the perfect fit.


For the best bang for your buck, I advocate the Britany2 boots from Topshop. They have a superslim fit, with a short inside zipper to help your foot can squeeze in. The platform and high heel are very runway-worthy, and while they don't go quite as high as the Louboutins above, they're pretty close.


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Now, you may be thinking, "I don't know about knee-high boots. I'm just going to buy a cheap pair for now." (Or, let's say you don't wear leather.) I'm going to show the customary bargain styles here, but be forewarned, they're synthetic, which means your legs are going to sweat. And then they're going to smell. So, if you must, please wear cotton socks. That said, the shape of Dollhouse's Chrie boots is pretty decent, and they have an elastic gusset for a snug fit.


These Chinese Laundry Kingdom boots are a bit on the shiny side, but they're stretchy, which, again, is good if you have more muscular legs. Also, I've had a pair of Chinese Laundry boots for nearly 10 years (they're leather), and not only are they comfortable, but they've held up incredibly well with occasional re-soling.


Finally, these Charlotte Russe boots are ridiculously cheap, but at least the way they're photographed, they look much more expensive. They even feature a hidden platform, a side zipper, and a padded footbed. All this for $45, and that explains why they're nearly sold out. If you're looking for a cheap-chic take on the trend, however, you can't lose with this pair.

Object of Desire: Stella McCartney over-the-knee boots
Ironically, as the weather in NYC has finally started to warm up, I've started thinking about fall. Crazy, I know. But fall's runways were all about the legs, and one item that just kept cropping up everywhere was thigh-high boots. Seriously, if there's one item worth investing in for fall, it's boots, and be prepared to wear them with everything from dresses to boyfriend shirts and blazers (hey, who needs pants anymore?). Over-the-knee boots are slowly starting to trickle into the stores (expect more later in July and August as stores clear out their spring/summer merchandise), and one of the first to arrive is Stella McCartney's over-the-knee boots. Yes, they're faux leather, but being owned by the Gucci Group has its advantages--all of her shoes (and bags) are manufactured in Gucci's Italian factories, so the quality is high, from the balance in the sole to the fit in the leg. While not exactly a bargain, the boots are a fairly good value for the money, and keep in mind that real leather boots will be significantly more expensive. They're also, obviously, animal-friendly, if that's your thing. The boots aren't in stores yet (they're only available for pre-order), but that will hopefully give you enough time to save up for a pair.