Cheryl Shops

 Use code cheryl15 for 15% off your purchase at Inez. 

When it comes to your fall-winter wardrobe, one of the most versatile things you can buy is a pair of black boots that go with everything. While fashion trends can definitely influence my choices, I personally like a low heel that's not too chunky, an almond-shaped toe, and a streamlined shape—a classic black boot, if you will. The funny thing is, I can't remember the last time I actually bought a workhorse black boot, so I decided this was the year. Thankfully, it didn't take me long to find the right pair. I've been partnering with Inez shoes for the last year and their footwear strikes the elusive, perfect balance between style and comfort. They gifted me this pair of Andrea boots, but the following are my honest and unfiltered opinions. 

Are Inez shoes really comfortable?

Yes! This is my third pair—I also own the Caro boot and the Isa sandal—and while it has the lowest heel of the three, they're all shockingly comfortable. (I say this as someone who used to wear at least three-inch heels most days but since the pandemic wears mostly flats or sneakers.) The secret is that all Inez shoes have a proprietary shock-absorbing foam insole that stabilizes the foot and supports the arch. Plus the entire line is made in a family-run factory in Spain and designed by a shoe-industry veteran who gets that women need comfortable shoes that actually look good. For more on the brand, you can read my reviews of the Caro boot and the Isa sandal. 

The Andrea boot

While I usually gravitate toward a zip-up boot, I loved the ankle support of Caro so much that I wanted to try a similar style, and I chose the Andrea boot because it checked all of my boxes. The heel is an ideal 50 mm or 2 inches, and while it looks like a block heel from the side, there's a nice tapered effect to it from the back, which makes it feel a little more refined. The toe is a classic almond shape, which never goes out of style, probably because it's a happy medium between a pointy and a square toe. The Andrea is a Chelsea boot, meaning it has elastic gussets on the side instead of laces or zippers; this allows for a snug fit, and I find it to be very supportive through the ankle. As a bonus, there's a subtle yet substantial tab on the back that makes it easy to get the boot on and off. The Andrea also comes in a nice chocolate-brown shade of calf leather, and is available in sizes 6–10.5. 

My honest review

I hate to play favorites, but the Andrea is my favorite pair of Inez shoes so far. The heel height is perfect, and the support level—through the shaft and in the sole, thanks to that signature memory-foam construction—is just right. It took a few wears for the leather to soften a bit (you can always speed this up with a little leather conditioner) but now that I've broken them in, they're the pair I've been wearing most often this fall. I never considered myself a Chelsea boot person, but this sleek interpretation works so well with jeans and trousers and feels so timeless. I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect pair of boots. Like all Inez shoes I've tried, they run true to size—I'm in my usual 8.5, and while a little break-in period was necessary, they've molded to my foot nicely. Highly recommend—and don't forget to use cheryl15 for 15% off your purchase.

OUTFIT DETAILS: Banana Republic leather moto jacket | Xirena Scout shirt (c/o) | Nili Lotan Emerson Jeans |  Inez Andrea boot (c/o) use cheryl15 for 15% off your purchase