Step in Style Black Knee-High Heeled Boots, Pointed Toe and Side Zip

Black knee-high heeled boots with a pointed toe

A straight shaft to just below the knee, a pointed toe and a slanted 8 cm heel. These boots borrow their outline from a western boot and leave out the stitching and the fringe.

The maker lists the upper as artificial leather, the shaft at 35.5 cm and the inside as insulated. A zip runs up the side, so you don't have to pull them on.

At a glance

The piece: model 221156 by Step in Style

The supplier describes model 221156 as a boot for colder days, with a classic cut, a pointed toe, a stable column-type heel, insulation inside and a zip on the side.

The photos add the character. The heel is cut at a slant and sits a little back under the foot, the way it does on a cowboy boot. The toe is pointed with a small flat tip. The shaft is plain and smooth, without seams across the front.

We used to list these as ankle boots. With a shaft of 35.5 cm they are tall boots, and the page now says so.

Who they're for

For you if you like the western look in a calm, all-black version. They suit skirts and dresses, and slim trousers tucked in.

They are faux leather, upper and footbed, which matters if you avoid animal materials. And the heel is 8 cm: comfortable for an evening, a choice for a full day.

Closer look: maker's data and photos

• Upper and footbed in artificial leather, so faux leather (maker's data)
• Shaft of 35.5 cm (maker's data); ends just below the knee on the model (photos)
• Column heel of 8 cm (maker's data), cut at a slant (photos)
• Pointed toe (maker's data), with a small flat tip (photos)
• Zip on the side (maker's data), on the inner side and over the full height of the shaft (photos)
• Insulation inside (maker's data)

The lining field in the supplier's data reads "shoe cover", which tells us nothing about the material. The maker gives no calf width either.

Materials and build: faux leather with an insulated inside

The maker lists artificial leather for the upper and the footbed. In the photos it is smooth with a soft sheen, and the shaft holds its shape when the model stands.

The supplier says the insulation makes the boots suitable for autumn and winter. We repeat that as the maker's description; we have not tested how warm they are, and nothing is said about rain.

Size and dimensions: check the insole and the shaft

The insole lengths don't climb evenly. Size 36 is 23.5 cm, 37 is 24.5 cm, then it goes in half centimetres to 26 cm in size 40, and size 41 jumps to 27 cm. Measure your foot and pick by the number.

A pointed toe needs some empty length in front of your toes; that room is built into the shape. The shaft is 35.5 cm. Measure from the floor up your own leg to see where it will end. On the model the shaft stands slightly away from the calf.

Size chart (cm)

Source: the maker's size table, which gives the insole length per size. Stand on a sheet of paper, mark heel and longest toe, measure the distance and allow a few millimetres of room.

Styling: skirts, dresses and coats

The supplier suggests them with dressy coats and with jeans. In the photos they are worn with bare legs and a short dark skirt.

Our favourite is a midi dress that ends just over the top of the shaft, so no leg shows. Slim jeans tucked in are the weekday version. A long coat in camel or grey makes the black heel stand out.

Occasions

These are boots for the cold half of the year: the office, a dinner, a concert, Christmas drinks. With 8 cm under your heel, a long city walk is better done in something lower.

Care: a damp cloth, no leather polish

The maker gives no care instructions. For faux leather in general: wipe with a soft damp cloth and let the boots dry at room temperature, away from a heater. Store them upright with paper or boot shapers in the shafts, so they don't crease at the ankle.

The wow detail: the slanted heel

Seen from the side, the back of the heel leans forward. That one angle is what makes the boot read as western, even though everything else about it is plain. It also changes how you walk: a little slower, a little more upright.

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 still 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, shoes and sandals are in our footwear collection.