HERE'S some good news the gods of fashion are favouring us this season with a high-fashion trend that women can actually wear. Introducing every girl's new best friend: the biker boot. Already a favourite with stylish celebrities, biker boots are both practical and versatile. Not since ballet pumps were reintroduced has fashion made such sweet (and oh so comfortable) sense.

No longer just for Marianne Faithfull or the rider of a Harley Davidson, biker boots made a welcome return to the catwalk last winter and are the perfect accompaniment to many of this season's key trends. But shopping for the right pair can be baffling.

A biker boot should be leather, though suede does make a good alternative, and adorned with a chunky strap which fastens at the ankle or, on some styles, below the knee. Steer clear of boots that are too shiny or too dainty this is not a lady-like look. An ankle-length pair will look great with thick tights and a sloppy sweater dress or worn over a pair of jeans. If your wardrobe is still packed with tea dresses from last season, opt for knee-high to update the summer's girly trend. Miu Miu do a gorgeous knee-length pair though more affordable versions are available at Office and from Kurt Geiger.

The beauty of biker boots is their durability the more they are worn the better they look. Music to our ears in these gloomy financial times.

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