These Boots Were (Literally) Made for Walking

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m short. At 5’3” on a good day, I tend to gravitate toward heels when the occasion calls for it, but I stubbornly refuse to sacrifice comfort. (Gone are the days of towering stilettos—a small silver lining of the pandemic lockdown.) For me, a New York City-based editor who regularly schleps from the subway to the office to dinner and back to my walk-up apartment, the ideal shoe is stylish, versatile, easy to slip on and off, and, most importantly, can be worn all day, through rain, sleet, snow, or whatever chaos the winter forecast has in store.

Lucy Liu wears Neil J. Rodgers to the Los Angeles premiere of Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016.

Which brings me to the Neil J. Rodgers Meg Knee Boot. Made from soft Italian nappa leather, the slightly slouched style hits just below the knee with a pointed square toe and a curved block heel. It’s dressy enough to wear out at night, yet put-together enough to wear to work. And, as it turns out, that’s exactly what the eponymous designer had in mind when he created it. After a career as a celebrity stylist in London and Los Angeles, Rodgers smartly pivoted to creating what he calls “shoes that make you feel good.” Translation: simple, chic, expertly made by Italian artisans, and even comfortable enough for the red carpet, too.

Neil J. Rodgers Meg Knee Boot

I’ve worn my Meg boots everywhere: to work, to parties, to moderate panels, to fashion week, running from show to show. They never fail to give me just enough height—2.25 inches, to be exact—and still look polished. The best part? I don’t have to break out an emergency pair of flats on the sidewalk or Band-Aids for blisters. Though mine don’t currently show any significant signs of wear, I might get them resoled again just in case.