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Photo: Chris Craymer

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SLIDESHOW

Booting Up
Rich brown-leather details elevate black boots (left); cream is an unexpected and fashion-forward choice for the ones on the right. How to wear a pale shoe with confidence? Don't pair it with matching tights—it's too nursey. Go with a bare leg or, if you must cover up, choose cream fishnet stockings.

How to Care for Your Boots

Tips from Joseph Rocco Jr. of Jim's Shoe Repair, NYC:

Spray leather and suede with water-and-stain protector before you wear them for the first time. (Patent can go without.)

Once your leather boots are weatherproofed, shine them up with a shoe cream (Rocco recommends Meltonian) instead of a wax, which may not allow leather to breathe and can cause it to crack.

Have a shoe repair shop add a thin rubber sole to your boots, for traction and an extra layer of protection. (Wear the boots a few times beforehand; a rougher sole helps the new layer adhere better.)

Left: Boots, Bally, $950; 212-751-9082. Dress, DKNY, $595; DKNY.com. Bag, Zac  Zac Posen, $495; Amazon.com.

Right: Boots, Gianvito Rossi, $1,020; Barneys.com. Dress, CH Carolina Herrera, $1,045; 212-744-2076. Watch, Anne Klein $65; Zappos.com. Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $548; 212-924-0026. On twins: Jackets, $25 each, onesies, $13 for three, pants, $15 each, and shoes, $13 each, The Children’s Place; ChildrensPlace.com.


Next: How to wear jeans at the office