Step In Style Brown Leather Ankle Boots with Elastic Straps and Zip

Brown leather ankle boots with two elastic straps

These brown leather ankle boots by Step In Style look like lace-ups from a distance, and they have no laces at all. Two elastic inserts cross the front of the shaft and a zip does the opening and closing.

The maker states leather for the upper and the footbed. The heel is flat at 3 cm and the shaft is 15.5 cm high. Sizes run from 36 to 41.

At a glance

The piece: model 222966

The wholesaler lists these boots as model 222966 in brown. The maker describes ankle boots in leather with a flat heel, a zipper closure and two elastic inserts at the front of the shaft that it calls a subtle, modern decorative detail.

The photos show a dark, chocolate brown. The shaft has a fine dotted texture pressed into the leather, and the toe is smooth. Each elastic band is held by metal rings at both ends. The sole is brown with a line of lighter stitching along the edge.

Who they're for

For you if you want a flat boot that looks a little tougher than a Chelsea boot and takes no longer to put on. The zip is quick and the elastic gives the front of the ankle some room.

They suit you if you walk a lot. A 3 cm heel and a leather footbed are a sound base for long days.

Closer look: what the maker states and what the photos show

• Leather upper and leather footbed (maker's data)
• Flat heel of 3 cm, shaft of 15.5 cm (maker's data)
• Zipper closure (maker's data); on the side of the shaft (photos)
• Two elastic inserts at the front (maker's data); held by metal rings (photos)
• Dotted texture on the shaft, smooth rounded toe (photos)
• Brown sole with lighter stitching along the edge (photos)

The maker does not say whether the boots are lined or what the sole is made of. We leave both open instead of guessing.

Materials and build: leather, according to the maker

The wholesaler has no composition table for shoes. It gives two attribute lines, upper and footbed, and both say leather. We pass that on as the maker's statement.

Leather softens with wear and shapes itself to the foot over the first weeks. The textured shaft has a practical side as well: small marks disappear in the pattern. The elastic bands are the only non-leather part you can see in the photos, apart from the zip and the rings.

Size and dimensions: check the insole

The size table gives the insole length per size: 24 cm for size 36, 24.5 for 37, 25 for 38, 25.5 for 39, 26 for 40 and 26.5 cm for 41. That is half a centimetre longer per size than many other boots we sell, so measure your foot before you pick your usual number.

The shaft is 15.5 cm high and ends just above the ankle. In the photos it stands a little open at the top, which leaves room for a sock or a tucked-in trouser leg.

Size chart (cm)

Source: the maker's size table. The insole length is the inside length of the boot.

Styling: cropped trousers or a dress

In the photos the boots are worn with cropped beige trousers that end above the shaft. Dark brown next to beige is a calm, warm pairing, and the bare strip of ankle keeps it light.

The maker suggests jeans for casual days and a dress or skirt for smarter ones. We like them with straight blue jeans rolled once, and with a midi dress in a print where the boots add some weight at the bottom.

Occasions

These are everyday boots for autumn and spring: work, weekend walks in town, a day of travel. They are flat enough for a full day and neat enough for an office with a relaxed dress code.

The maker makes no claim about rain or cold, and we add none.

Care: what we know and what we don't

The maker's data has no care instructions. If there is a leaflet or label in the box, follow that first.

As a general habit with leather boots, brush off dry dirt, wipe the rest with a damp cloth and let the boots dry away from the heater. A brown or colourless cream now and then keeps the leather supple. Test it on a small spot first, because the textured shaft can take colour differently from the smooth toe.

The wow detail: straps where laces would be

Two broad elastic bands sit where you expect eyelets and laces. They give the boot the outline of a lace-up and none of the fuss. The metal rings at the ends catch a little light, and that is all the hardware there is.

Fashion that gives back

5% of each sale goes to a cause you choose. The causes are matched to 11 of the 17 SDGs, the global goals set by the United Nations, and you decide where your share goes.

Our promise

Ships from the maker's wholesale partner in Poland, inside the EU, with tracking. The wholesaler lists up to 3 days to prepare an order; within the EU delivery usually takes 2–7 business days after dispatch. Delivery is free within the EU on orders from €69; below that it costs €4.95 in the Netherlands and €6.95 elsewhere in the EU.

You have 14 days after delivery to ask for a return, as long as the boots are unworn and in their original box. Our promise is plain: if what arrives does not match what this page says, send it back within 14 days and we refund you.

More boots are in our women's boots collection.