Real stories · The boots that ended heels-or-trainers

For years it was heels that hurt or trainers that looked wrong — these boots ended the standoff

The boots that ended the heels-or-trainers standoff — that's what these are. I'm 67, and for years every autumn outfit ended at my feet with a choice between heels that hurt by the second hour and trainers that made the whole thing look like I'd given up. Neither felt like me.

What I wanted was one pair of boots that were as comfortable as the trainers and as deliberate as the heels.

Then I found the Aurelienne from a British label called York Boutique — a pair of timeless western-style ankle boots, and I chose the light brown, a soft suede-look taupe that goes with practically everything I own.

The comfort is built into the shape. The heel is a low stacked block, which is why it supports you instead of punishing you — steady on cobbles, fine for a whole day in town, and it still gives you that little lift a flat sole never does. The pull tabs at the sides mean they're on in one tug: no zips, no laces, no sitting down on the stairs to negotiate. The toe is rounded rather than pinched, the shaft is soft and slightly slouched so it never digs into the ankle, and the finish keeps its looks — mine still look new after a month of proper use.

A low block heel that supports instead of punishes, pull tabs so they're on in one tug — no zips, no laces, no sitting on the stairs — and a soft suede look that works with jeans and dresses alike.

They have since done a full day in York with my granddaughter — cobbles, three shops, lunch, more shops — and my feet had no comment at all, which is unheard of. She said they were 'actually cool', and I have witnesses. They go with jeans, they go with the good navy dress, and I've stopped planning outfits from the feet up.

They were £49.95 in the sale, half the usual £100 — and I'd checked I could send them back if they rubbed, which you can, within a fortnight, and the delivery's free. They come in eight colours and in UK sizes 2 all the way to 11, and they're true to size.

If your outfits also keep ending in a standoff at the feet, do treat yourself to a look. The Aurelienne is rated 4.7 out of 5 by more than 320 women, they're £49.95 in the sale instead of £100 — half price — and the middle sizes always seem to go first.