There are bare legs in winter, and then there are completely doable, non-scary bare legs in winter. On a cold November morning, there are bare legs in the shift-dress-and-slingbacks sense, with a flattering goosebump finish and aching ankle bones when the wind whips. Or there are bare legs in the long-skirt-and-ankle-boots sense, as seen here, which is perfectly comfortable, but still counts as Going Bare Legged.
This is not bare-leggedness in the fully alpha Anna Wintour sense, yet people are still weirdly impressed when only a few inches of skin are on show and it’s not that cold. So take full advantage. There is something about showing bare skin that elevates any look, a rule shown at its logical conclusion in the near-nudity that dominates the red carpet. A short section of bare calf requires no more bravery than pushing the sleeves of your jumper up to the elbows. Feet get cold and thighs get cold, but calves really don’t. Fact. But don’t tell anyone, because then they won’t be impressed any more.
A long skirt that reaches your mid-calf, worn with a pair of ankle boots, is an extremely useful go-to look this winter. I’m talking about the midi skirt you already have in your wardrobe and any ankle boots with a bit of a heel. The skirt can be straight or voluminous, and can fall anywhere from just below your knee to just above your ankle. (If you have curvy calves, the bit where it narrows just below your knee is the most flattering length.) If you don’t have a midi-length skirt, get one.
Counterintuitively, long-line boots that rise a little above your ankle are more line-lengthening than those lopped off right at the joint. If yours aren’t high enough, try wearing socks, pushed down to wrinkle on top of the boots. (I know the socks-and-bare-legs thing is weird, and you feel like a wannabe teen fashion blogger from Tokyo. But it actually looks fine. I promise.)
The look is most modern – and, happily, most warm – if the skirt and ankle boot almost meet. For once, the voices of fashion and comfort speak as one. Who can argue with that?
• Jess wears jumper, £38, topshop.com. Skirt, £149 by Malene Birger, from net-a-porter.com. Boots, £40, next.co.uk
Styling: Melanie Wilkinson. Hair and makeup: Laurence Close at Carol Hayes Management.
