Granted, the words timeless, investment piece and capsule wardrobe are often overused by fashion editors, but there are a handful of pieces for when these terms truly do ring true: a sharply tailored black blazer, the perfect pair of jeans and, you guessed it, a classic pair of black boots. So if there's a boot-shaped hole in your shoe collection right now, allow me to break down exactly why it might be the addition you're sorely missing in your everyday rotation.
Just like an LBD (little black dress) a great LBB (little or long black boot) should act as the solution to many a footwear dilemma. After a shoe that's both warm and work-appropriate? A black knee-high boot will pair with almost any bottom. Searching for a shoe that leaves no gap between your favourite midi, maxi and even knee-length dresses? An over-the-knee sock is the easy-to-style staple covering all skirt lengths. Wondering what shoe will always work with a great pair of jeans? The pared-back black cowboy, in ankle length for ultimate versatility.
The black boot was, essentially, built to be a genuine wear-anywhere-style, and there are five key designs to consider. The knee-high, in either leather or suede. The over-the-knee, for those more fond of dresses and skirts than trousers. The simplistic cowboy, for something slightly more casual and cool without veering into festival fashion territory. And the city take on the classic riding boot, perfect for both tucking trousers into and wearing skirts outside of. Plus, let's not forget the polished kitten heel ankle boot, perhaps the most versatile of the lot and one I personally reach for almost every day come Autumn.
Which style you choose comes down to personal preference and the pieces that make up the majority of your wardrobe already. But make the investment, care for them properly—the occasional clean and wipe-down with leather or suede protector will do—and re-sole once every few seasons, and you'll have a boot that stays with you for years to come.
Below is our definitive guide to the best styles to shop now, because when it comes to black boots, the sheer amount of choice is somewhat overwhelming.
Shop the Best Black Boots
1. Day-to-Night Knee-Highs
'Do it all' items are often the secret to a true timeless wardrobe. Their appeal lies in the true vastness of where, when and how we can wear them and few shoes fit the bill better come Autumn/Winter than a classic black knee-high.
For the office? Pair them with a classic pencil skirt, wide-leg trouser of any length or a knee-to-maxi length dress for an instant, easy pairing. For the evening? Anything goes. And come the weekend you might even favour the mid-noughties jean tuck, allowing the boots to take full focus. Invest wisely and never will you run our of ways to wear them.
Le Monde Beryl
Leather Babouche Knee-High Boots
With a kitten heel, pointed toe and high-shine leather, these boots feel especially polished.
M&S
Leather Ruched Stiletto Heel Knee High Boots
The slouch on these boots makes them feel especially suited to nighttime. But pair them with a longer-length dress or mid-calf skirt and you'll find yourself with an office-appropriate look.
Dear Frances
Alma Knee Boot
You may know Dear Frances for their bestselling mesh ballet flats, but the boot offering is just as sleek.
Aeyde
Medea suede knee-high boots
The lower Cuban heel on these boots makes them all the more practical for everyday wear.
Kurt Geiger
Ascot Knee Boot
There's no shortage of black leather knee-high boots, but suede offers a slightly softer touch. Just be sure to spray them with protectant before stepping out in the rain.
2. Over-The-Knee Sock Boots
You most likely know the feeling: you've found the perfect dress and have a great pair of boots to go with it, only to realise there's a one in gap between the two once you're halfway out the door. The solution? An over-the-knee sock boot that really can pair with anything, be it a full-length trouser, culotte or even an above-the-knee skirt that's always tricky to style sans tights come winter. Plus, they add an extra layer of warmth.
While a leather pair feels especially timeless, and pairs perfectly with velvet, denim, cotton and silk, fabric styles offer a slightly softer alternative, working beautifully with leather and suede skirts and jackets without going full-on cow.
Toteme
Leather knee boots
With a small kitten heel and minimalistic design, these Toteme boots really will work with any outfit.
Arket
Stretch Leather Over-the-Knee Boots
Searching for a thigh-high sock boot with a higher heel that's more comfortable than a stiletto? Arket's leather stretch style ticks every box.
H&M
Over-The-Knee Boots
These faux leather boots come complete with both a wide kitten heel and a zip closure, making them extra comfortable.
ME+EM
Stretch Over-Knee Boot
ME+EM customers know they can rely on the brand for timeless wardrobe investment pieces - these OTK boots are case in point.
Victoria Beckham
Harlow Thigh-High Boot 55 Black Jersey
Victoria Beckham's over-the-knee boots takes the sock element rather literally with a black jersey fabric.
Khaite
Arizona 50 leather over-the-knee boots
Khaite's bestselling boot, the Arizona 50, also comes in an over-the-knee length, expertly balancing super sexy with super polished.
3. Polished Western Ankle Boots
Cowboy boots have consistently stuck around as a year-round shoe staple, but Autumn/Winter sees festival-ready brown suedes swapped for more pared-back black and shrunken-down ankle lengths that are all the more practical.
Jeans and black trousers are where they make the most sense styling-wise, whether peeking out of longer-length wide-leg styles, with the pointed toe elongating the leg, or tucked in skinny and straight-leg cuts, placing more emphasis on the boot. Fringing, suede and leather will only accentuate the Western feel.
ZARA
Leather Cowboy Ankle Boots
For a minimalist take on the classic cowboy, look to this Zara ankle-length pair with soft Western detailing.
Khaite
Nevada 40 leather ankle boots
Khaite's Nevada boots return season after season - for good reason.
Souliers Martinez
Vegas leather ankle boots
Note the tall shaft of these boots which make they super versatile and can be layered under dresses, and cropped trousers or jeans without cutting off your ankle.
Stories
Leather Cowboy Boots
The cowboy details on these Western boots are so subtle—note the upward toe and diamond shaped upper design—they could be easily missed.
Paris Texas
Bettina Leather Cowboy Boots
Look closely, and you'll spy snake-effect detailing across the toe of these ankle boots, lending them a Western detail that's still easy to style.
4. Flat Riding Boots
Thanks to Stella McCartney, stirrup leggings are back in the limelight and few shoes style better than a classic flat riding boot, truly leaning into the equestrian aesthetic. Plus, invest wisely and they'll become one of the most comfortable boots in any collection.
For those not too tempted to step back into a stirrup legging, jeans (especially straight leg styles) and knee-length skirts also make for a perfect pairing, particularly when embracing the countryside chic look: thick knits, trench coats and checked capes, included.
Massimo Dutti
Knee-High Leather Boots
These Massimo Dutti riding boots have been crafted with wider proportions in mind, lending them a slight slouch around the ankle with every step.
A.Emery
Jude leather knee-high boots
Opt for a clean cut, high-high black leather riding boot like this A.Emery style and it will work just as well for the office as it will at the weekend.
M&S
Leather Riding Knee High Boots
The wider cut on this boot makes them even more comfortable on the calves, meaning tucking in leggings, jeans or trousers is a tad easier.
Burberry
Leather Cavalier Boots
For a more traditional take on the classic riding boot, few brands are better than Burberry. Note the pull tabs and buckled ankle straps for an extra equestrian-like feel.
COS
Leather Riding Boots
Cos excels at timeless staples and these high-shine riding boots are absolutely that. To keep them looking perfect, be sure to give them a regular polish.
5. Black Kitten Heel Boots
Fashion Director Lily Russo-Bah says "black kitten heel boots never go out of style and work with every trouser type and even long dresses and skirts," and I have to agree. Not only does the lower heel make them comfortable enough for everyday wear, but it also adds that extra polish to any look that you can't always find from a flat.
For a more casual take, style your jeans or trousers inside of the ankle boot—a balloon trouser or straight-leg jean works especially well. Otherwise, take your trousers, skirts and dresses outside of the boot for a more formal finish.
Aeyde
Leather Sofie Heeled Boots 35
Smooth black leather, a sleek pointed toe and a comfortable kitten heel (with a zip closure, I should add) make these pared-back boots one of the easiest to style in any wardrobe.
STAUD
Suede Wally Heeled Ankle Boots 55
The wider heel of these Staud suede boots makes then extra comfortable. Trust me, I own them in white.
The Row
Liisa Kitten Boot
With a zip-up closure, these sock-like suede boots are far easier to put on and take off than pull-up styles.
Khaite
Arizona 50 leather ankle boots
Khaite's signature slanted heel is an unspoken marker of the brand for true fashion fans.
MANGO
Kitten Heel Pointed-Toe Ankle Boot
If you aren't too fond of real leather, consider this faux pair a particularly strong option.
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At 42, I’ve done pretty well to avoid injectable aesthetic treatments. However, one month ago, two treatments finally convinced me to take the plunge: HArmonyCa™ and SKINVIVE™ by JUVÉDERM®.
This year, I felt like my skin needed something, but in a crowded marketplace, I was unsure what. For some reason, I’m still quite resistant to Botox and filler; believing that you should only really get them when you seriously need them. I’m not at that stage yet, but my skin definitely required some kind of intervention.
I’d noticed a dip in elasticity and less definition, as well as a visible decrease in the youthful glow I used to have. When I got three personal recommendations for HArmonyCa™ and SKINVIVE™ by JUVÉDERM® (always layered together), I decided this was going to be where I lost my injectable virginity.
Both are what are commonly known as ‘skin boosters’, designed to improve skin quality rather than freeze movement like Botox or add volume in the way we traditionally associate with filler. I had both treatments during the same appointment with aesthetic doctor Dr Apul Parikh in London.
The treatment combines Hyaluronic Acid (the skin’s natural hydrator) to immediately plump the skin and restore lost volume, with Calcium Hydroxyapatite to stimulate long-term collagen production (which will naturally firm and lift the skin over time). So, you’ll see instant results when you leave the clinic, plus gradually improved skin over time as your body produces more collagen.
Dr Parikh performed HArmonyCa™ first—and if you're squeamish, this probably isn’t the treatment for you. Rather than simply injecting the product into multiple points, A fine needle creates a single entry point, through which a flexible, blunt-ended cannula is threaded under the skin. The cannula distributes the product under the skin to reduce bruising. It’s not so much painful, but it is uncomfortable.
According to Dr Parikh, HArmonyCa™ is particularly suited to more mature patients who have noticed a decrease in skin quality or the early signs of jowling. “Apart from helping to gently lift the cheeks and contour the jawline, it works to stimulate your own collagen levels in the skin,” he says. “Patients notice their skin quality improving, their accordion lines reduce, and the amazing thing is that this process goes on for approximately 15–18 months.”
However, it is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding patients, as well as patients with severe autoimmune conditions.
What Is SKINVIVE™?
While HArmonyCa™ focuses on plumpness, definition, and collagen stimulation, SKINVIVE™ focuses on healthy-looking skin, addressing surface texture and glow through skin hydration with hyaluronic acid. It delivers a patented, hydrating, thinner form of hyaluronic acid that spreads easily within the skin to boost hydration, bring a healthy glow, plump out fine lines, and refine texture. It’s designed to complement your existing skincare routine.
Dr Parikh administered SKINVIVE™ with a much shorter needle. The needle is injected multiple times on each side of the face and, while each injection was quick, it did sting.
According toDr Apul Parikh, SKINVIVE™ is suitable for everyone, unless they’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have severe autoimmune conditions. He says that it’s “a wonderful treatment for men as well as women of all ages, and perhaps for those who are potentially starting their aesthetic skincare journey."
Is There Any Downtime?
As for the pain, I obviously felt each injection, but HArmonyCa™ contains the local anaesthetic lidocaine, which helped limit the severity of the stinging that followed with SKINVIVE™. Once the injections were over, I felt very little discomfort for the next few hours. When the anaesthetic wore off, I experienced a dull ache and some tenderness for around 24 hours.
The visible downtime lasted slightly longer. I had three small wounds on each side of my face where the HArmonyCa™ cannulas had been inserted, which remained red and textured for a few days. I also experienced a small amount of bruising and some minimal swelling. After a few days, however, there were no visible signs I’d had anything done.
Immediately after SKINVIVE™ and HArmonyCa™ treatments (Image credit: @alifewithfrills)
Before HArmonyCa™ and SKINVIVE™ (Image credit: @alifewithfrills)
It’s now been one month since my treatments. In the before-and-after photographs above, I have bare skin and am wearing the same skincare products.
I noticed an immediate plumping effect after treatment, and after around 10 days I started to see that healthy glow. A month later, the difference is more noticeable. My face looks more structured and contoured and the shape has changed in a way that makes it appear slimmer. The ‘slackness’ I had started to notice has gone; my jawline and cheekbones look sharper, while my skin appears firmer and smoother.
Altogether, I feel like the treatments have wound the clock back somewhat, and I’m impressed by how quickly I saw results. There’s no doubt I would have them again. I’ve had much more unpleasant treatments for less noticeable results in the past; in comparison, these felt like a breeze.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice - always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before treatment decisions.
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I think of myself as pretty fit. I lift weights, I hike, and my Oura Ring and I are working in blissful harmony with one another - you could even go so far as to say I’m trying relatively hard to look after myself. But recently, I’m noticing that some movements don't feel quite as effortless as they used to.
Then I realised there was one very simple question I wasn’t actually sure I could answer: can I actually move well?
Could I squat comfortably? Stand on one leg without wobbling? Rotate my hips properly? Touch my toes without letting out a little sign of discomfort as I roll back up? The honest answer was: I wasn’t entirely sure.
And that really didn’t sit right with me. I’m interested in strength and fitness for longevity, but I’d barely thought about the thing that underpins all of it: being able to move your body freely and confidently. And it turns out this isn’t just a problem for the inflexible among us. According to the WHO, around 1.7 billion people worldwide live with a musculoskeletal condition, with these conditions being the leading contributor to disability globally.
Mobility is increasingly being talked about alongside strength and cardiovascular fitness as we age, yet most of us probably don’t think about ours until something starts feeling stiff, restricted or - ominously - painful.
So, for the next 6 weeks, I’m going to find out just how mobile I am - which I’m sure is going to be a humbling experience. Working with physiotherapist and founder of CORE LDN, Claire Mills, I’ll do a proper baseline assessment of my flexibility, balance, range of movement and control, then follow a realistic mobility routine and see what changes.
I’ll also speak to Mills about what mobility actually means, why it matters as we get older, and how much of it we can genuinely change.
Yes, getting older is inevitable. Getting progressively worse at putting my socks on? That, ideally, is optional.
I'm Fit, But My Lack of Mobility Was Increasing My Injury Risk. How I Improved Things in Six Weeks
What does “mobility” actually mean – and why does it matter?
First things first: let’s get down to the basics. Before six weeks of discovering just how creaky I really am, I need to know what, exactly, I’m trying to improve.
“Mobility is the ability to move a joint through its available range with control,” Mills explains. And that last bit is important. “Flexibility might get you into a position; mobility is being able to use that range confidently - when you squat, reach overhead, turn to look behind you or get up from the floor.”
It turns out, mobility is a bit of a team sport; “I tend to think of mobility as the meeting point between flexibility, strength, stability, balance and body awareness.”
So, touching your toes doesn’t necessarily mean you’re mobile. “It might tell us something about the flexibility of the back of your legs,” says Mills, “but it also involves movement through your hips and spine, as well as your proportions and nervous system’s tolerance of the position.”
And there's a reason all of this matters beyond being able to impress yourself with a particularly deep squat. A 2025 Umbrella review found that things like balance, gait, strength and range of motion are all linked with fall risk in older adults.
Why does this tend to get harder as we age? Some of it is inevitable: “joints can stiffen, connective tissue becomes less elastic, and muscle strength can decline. Injuries, arthritis, pain and hormonal changes can play a part, too.”
But here’s another, less dramatic reason: we stop asking our bodies to do things.
“If you rarely squat deeply, rotate your spine, reach overhead or get down onto the floor, your body gradually becomes less comfortable and less capable in those positions,” says Mills.
So, note to self: the body adapts to what we ask of it - and what we stop asking of it. I say, it’s time to start asking.
Does being fit and strong necessarily mean you are mobile?
If, like me, you thought being relatively fit and reasonably strong meant you automatically got the flexibility of someone who can casually sit cross-legged on the floor. I have some bad news.
“No,” says Mills. “Someone can run, cycle or lift weights regularly and still have quite restricted movement in particular areas.”
Which feels slightly unfair, frankly. But it makes sense. “Fitness is specific,” she explains. “Cycling might give you excellent cardiovascular fitness and strong legs, for example, but involves spending a lot of time in a relatively fixed position. Strength training can improve mobility when movements are performed through an appropriate range, but you can also become very strong within a limited range.”
Research backs up the idea that being “fit” doesn’t automatically make you more mobile. A 2025 study of healthy recreational endurance runners found no overall relationship between their flexibility and running economy - a firm reminder that being able to run well - aka maintain a decent level of fitness - doesn’t necessarily mean you can move freely everywhere.
Mills assures me that this doesn’t mean your usual workouts are doing you dirty. Far from it. It simply means mobility needs some specific attention alongside cardiovascular fitness and strength.
A useful distinction, then: being fit and being mobile aren’t quite the same thing.
I put my mobility to the test – here’s how you can test yours, too
At the beginning of this trial, I set out to do two things: first, find out what part of my body was least mobile - and how much that might be contributing to my general stiffness. And second, work out how on earth to improve it.
I spent an afternoon with Mills, who showed me a series of simple self-assessments I could do at home to get a better idea of where my mobility was - and where it might be letting me down.
The plan she put together for me was simple: do all five tests at the beginning of my challenge, identify the restricted areas, and use that as a starting point for the next six weeks.
“These tests create a personal baseline rather than a pass-or-fail score,” says Mills. “Body proportions, previous injuries and natural anatomical differences all affect the result, so comparing yourself with somebody else is rarely helpful.”
With that in mind, Mills talked me through five simple tests to assess my mobility and work out where I was most restricted. Here’s what I did - and how you can try them at home, too.
1. Controlled squat
How to perform it: Stand with your feet approximately hip- to shoulder-width apart and toes pointing slightly outwards. Reach your arms forward and slowly sit your hips down as though lowering towards a chair. Go only as far as you can while keeping your feet grounded, then return to standing.
What it assesses: This looks at the combined mobility of the ankles, knees, hips and spine, together with lower-body strength, balance and control.
How to record it: Film the movement from the front and side. Record your comfortable squat depth, whether your heels stay down, whether you can pause at the bottom for three seconds, and whether you shift more towards one side.
What to look for: Notice whether your heels lift, your knees or feet collapse inwards, your trunk falls markedly forwards or your weight shifts to one side. These are observations rather than proof that something is wrong, but could mean restrictions in mobility.
Safety: Use a chair or worktop for support if necessary. Stop if the movement produces sharp pain, catching or a feeling that a joint may give way.
2. Forward reach or toe touch
How to perform it: Stand with your feet together or hip-width apart and your knees straight but not locked. Slowly roll or hinge forwards and allow your hands to reach towards the floor. Do not bounce or force the position.
What it assesses: It gives a broad indication of movement through the hips and spine and flexibility through the backs of the legs.
How to record it: Measure the vertical distance between your fingertips and the floor. If your fingers reach beyond the floor from a step, record how far past it they travel.
Also note whether bending your knees changes the result substantially.
What to look for: Observe whether the movement is smooth, whether one hand reaches further than the other and whether you feel the restriction mainly in your calves, hamstrings, back or somewhere else.
Safety: This test may not be appropriate during an acute episode of back pain, sciatica, dizziness or after recent surgery. A toe touch is influenced by limb proportions, so it should not be treated as a universal marker of health.
3. Knee-to-wall ankle test
How to perform it: Face a wall in a staggered stance. Keep the heel of the front foot firmly on the floor and guide that knee forwards until it touches the wall, tracking approximately over the middle toes.
Gradually move the foot away from the wall until you find the furthest distance at which the knee can still touch without the heel lifting.
What it assesses: Ankle dorsiflexion: the movement needed when walking, descending stairs, lunging and squatting.
How to record it: Measure the distance in centimetres from the tip of the big toe to the wall. Test and record both sides.
What to look for: Look for a meaningful difference between sides, the heel lifting, the arch collapsing or the knee turning markedly inwards.
Safety: Do not force the knee against the wall. People with recent ankle or lower-limb injuries should do so with caution or check with a physiotherapist before testing.
4. Seated hip-rotation test
How to perform it: Sit on a firm chair with your hips and knees at approximately 90 degrees. Keep both thighs facing forwards.
To test inward hip rotation, keep your thigh still and move your foot out to the side. To test outward rotation, move the foot inwards. Repeat on the other leg, avoiding any twisting through the pelvis or leaning sideways.
What it assesses: How freely the hip rotates independently of the pelvis and spine.
How to record it: Film from the front or take a photograph at your comfortable end position. You can use a phone angle-measuring app if desired, but consistent positioning is more important than obtaining a perfectly precise number.
Record the angle and any clear difference between sides.
What to look for: Notice whether the pelvis shifts, the trunk leans, or one side feels more restricted. Hip structure varies considerably, so symmetry should not be forced simply for the sake of it.
Safety: Stop if you experience pinching in the groin or joint pain. Do not push the leg further with your hands.
5. Floor get-up test
How to perform it: Stand beside a clear, non-slip area of floor, with a stable chair or worktop nearby if needed. Lower yourself into a comfortable seated position on the floor, then return to standing using your preferred method.
There is no requirement to cross your legs or make the movement look a particular way. The aim is to see how confidently and efficiently you can manage the transition.
What it assesses: Getting up from the floor brings together hip, knee and ankle mobility with lower-body strength, balance, coordination and confidence. Like the sit-to-stand test, it is better described as a measure of functional movement capacity than mobility alone.
It is particularly relevant to healthy ageing. Being able to move between the floor and standing supports everyday life, from playing with children to gardening, and provides the physical options needed if you ever find yourself on the floor unexpectedly.
How to record it: Time the movement from the moment you begin to rise until you are standing upright and settled.
Also record: How many hands, knees or pieces of furniture you use for support, whether you lead with the same leg each time, whether the movement feels controlled or effortful, and whether you can complete it without assistance.
A short video from the front or side will make comparison easier. Repeat the test using the same surface, footwear and starting position after six weeks.
What to look for:
Notice whether you need to push heavily through your hands, rely entirely on one leg, use momentum rather than control, lose your balance during the transition, avoid bending a particular hip, knee or ankle, and hold your breath or feel apprehensive.
Safety: Only try this if you are confident that you can return to standing safely. Have someone nearby if you are unsure, and keep a stable chair within reach. Do not perform it alone if you have a history of falls, significant balance problems or difficulty getting up from the floor.
My six-week mobility prescription
So, what did my mobility assessment reveal? Well, there was some work to do.
From the assessment, Mills suggested my posterior chain - essentially the muscles and tissues running down the back of my body, including my calves and hamstrings - could be contributing to some of my restrictions, i.e. me not being able to touch my toes as a relatively active 26-year-old. My knee-to-wall test was a particular giveaway: I managed around 3- 4 cm, whereas Mills would generally expect me to get closer to 6- 7 cm. Everything felt pretty stiff, too.
The seated pelvic tilt also showed that I’m naturally quite stiff through my lower back. So rather than prescribing me one giant list of stretches and sending me on my merry way, Mills made something very clear: mobility is individual. Why? "Ultimately, this is due to it being the balance of flexibility, strength, body awareness and stability. Therefore, it’s important to ascertain which of these elements you need to work on and where," she explains. TDLR: There isn’t a magic number of exercises you can do that will somehow sort everything out.
My aim: target the areas where I was most restricted, and gradually get more comfortable moving through those ranges, using a “toolkit” that was as easy to fit into my week as it was to actually do, before repeating the 5 assessments.
My prescription for the next six weeks was three things, around 3-4 days a week:
(Image credit: Ellie-Mae)
1. Calf stretching
Given my short knee-to-wall measurement, calves were an obvious place to start. The basic version is simple enough to do at home: stand facing a wall with one foot behind the other, both heels pointing towards the back heel planted. Lean forwards until you feel a gentle stretch in the calf. I can also repeat it with the back knee slightly bent to work a different part of the calf. Mills suggested keeping the movement slow and controlled rather than bouncing into the stretch.
(Image credit: Ellie-Mae)
2. Foam rolling my hamstrings
Next up, my hamstrings. I used a foam roller as a form of self-mobilisation, slowly rolling over the muscle rather than attacking it. My aim was to spend some time working on the area that felt particularly tight, rather than simply doing a generic full-body routine. Commonly used as a form of self-massage/self-mobilisation, I’m out here using it as a targeted bit of maintenance.
(Image credit: Ellie-Mae)
3. Pilates
The third part was Pilates, focusing less on simply getting further into a stretch and more on controlling my movement through my available range. This was about building control, stability and awareness around the joints - essentially teaching my body to actually use the range I have.
Then, once a week I’d try to incorporate a workout or class with a stronger focus on mobility and flexibility.
My mobility homework, then: not an hour of stretching every night, not trying to contort myself into some pretty funky shapes, and definitely not expecting one miraculous exercise to fix everything. Just regular, targeted work on the areas where I needed it.
(Image credit: Ellie-Mae)
So, how much mobility do we really need?
I entered this challenge, dare I say, quite naively. I knew I was tight, but I was actively avoiding dealing with it. Every time I squatted in the gym and felt restricted, or found myself sighing as I got up from the floor, I’d accepted it as just my body.
Six weeks later, I’m looking at it through a different lens.
Going back through the same 5 assessments I tested at the beginning, I can feel a difference. My squat feels less laboured, my lower back feels significantly less stiff, and I’m more aware of how I'm moving rather than simply forcing myself into a position. I’m not suddenly able to fold myself in half, but things feel a little easier. And that is a win.
The biggest thing I’ve taken from my time with Mills is that improving mobility isn’t about becoming ridiculously flexible (although I wouldn’t say no to that); It’s about figuring out where you’re restricted, working on it specifically, and then learning to control that range.
Because ultimately, this isn’t really about touching your toes. It’s about making everyday movement feel easier - getting up from the floor, squatting, reaching, turning, all the things you want your body to keep doing without having to think twice about them.
And perhaps that’s the more useful way to think about mobility as we age: not how flexible can I become? But how well can I keep moving?
“The most useful question at the end of six weeks is not simply, ‘Can I touch my toes now?’ It is: ‘Can I access a little more movement, with better control and less effort?’ That is a far more meaningful way of assessing progress.”
(Image credit: Ellie-Mae)
MC'S Tried-and-Tested Favourites
Bala Foam Roller
Mills recommended Bala’s Foam Roller for its quality, and after six weeks of putting it through its paces, I can see why. It’s sturdy, weighty and feels built to last - a step up from the standard foam rollers I’ve used before. It’s not a regular part of my routine, particularly for working into my tight hamstrings.
Adanola Seamless Long Sleeve Top
The kind of workout top that makes you want to do Pilates even when you've only committed to the outfit. I wore Adanola's Seamless long-sleeved top throughout my mobility trial and loved the soft, stretchy fabric, fitted shape and low-impact support. It moves with you without feeling restrictive - useful for when you're spending a lot of time bending, stretching, and generally asking your body to cooperate.
Alo Performance Conquer Headband
Is any workout complete without a headband? I'm inclined to say no. Alo's Performance Conquer Headband is wide, stays put, and actually keeps sweat and hair out of your face - which, after putting it through its paces, has made it a surprisingly non-negotiable part of my gym kit.
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There's a chill in the air, the leaves are turning from green to umber, which means one thing: autumn is mere days away. September is peak "back to school" energy, and that applies to beauty too—around this time, I'll usually feel the need to revamp my hair, or opt for deeper, darker colours; but the more pressing matter is usually fragrance.
After a long, hot summer, it can be hard to know how to switch up your signature fragrance, or indeed scent wardrobe, for the colder months; but perfumers stress that you don't need to do a complete revamp: look first at the fragrance families that you come back to time and time again, and what you were drawn towards during the warmer months, advises Frances Shoemack, the founder of 100 per cent natural perfume brand, Abel.
"I would think of it less as replacing one with the other and more of a thoughtful transition; a re-styling perhaps," she advises. "If you're buying something new, see it not as an autumn-only purchase, but as a warmer complement to what you already have. The mistake people make is buying one autumn fragrance and expecting it to do all the work. It's better to look at what's already dense or resinous in what you own and just wear it more often, then add one thing with real weight to it if there's a genuine gap."
Ahead, a practical guide to selecting scents for autumn, grouped by fragrance family, so you're guaranteed to love them.
Florals
"Look for florals with more texture as you move into autumn," advises Saint-Ford; noting that that jasmine, violet, iris and plumeria pair well with more wintery notes of sandalwood, cashmera, amber, and musks. "You don't necessarily need to move into something heavier. It's about taking the brightness and softness you loved in summer and giving it a warmer, more grounded base. I also love florals against woods in autumn because they still feel alive, but have more depth and intimacy on the skin."
LOEWE Perfumes
Rosetopia Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Grapefruit, damask rose, violet, pink peppercorn, lily of the valley, peony, dry amber, amber musk
When it comes to fruits, look to the kitchen, so warm, cooked fruits, not crisp and fresh. The perfumes recommend tart cherry, fig, plum or anything closer to jam or rum-soaked, rather than fresh off the tree.
PHLUR
Cherry Stem Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Black cherry, orange brandy, red freesia, sugared jasmine, plum nectar, ebony woods, warm caramel, soft leather
A lot of woody scents are inherently quite wintery, but if you wear them year-round, warm woods, like sandalwood and cedar, perfectly encapsulate that cosy energy we're looking for.
Le Labo
Shiu 25
Key notes: Camphor wood, pink pepper, iris, white flowers, frankincense
LOEWE
Smoky Rain Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Pink pepper, Italian bergamot, Virginian cedarwood, benzoin, incense, amber, patchouli, white musk
Musks
"Musks and skin scents are truly year round but this is where I'd really lean into layering," notes Shoemack. "I'd consider pairing with a wood, gourmand (vanilla is perfect) or amber to bring them into more cosy territory."
Key notes: Bergamot, olibanum incense, rose damascena, musks, tonka bean
Gourmands
If you can't stay away from saccharine gourmands, look for notes with some friction in them; toasted, roasted, salted, not straight sugar. "Complexity and restraint is what makes a gourmand wearable past October, instead of reading like dessert," says Shoemack.
Richard Saint-Ford, the founder of indie perfume label, Iggywoo, adds, that looking for vanilla, tonka, coffee, pistachio or laconic notes balanced with amber, woods, spice or a little bitterness, is a way to note-check that transition. "You still get that comfort and indulgence, but with more structure and warmth rather than smelling literally like dessert."
Abel
Double Scoop Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Rosemary, toasted black sesame, butterscotch, vanilla, musk
While the perfumers stress that citrus-heavy fragrances don't need to disappear, Shoemack comments that it needs something to ground it, "So it reads as structure rather than freshness." You can consider citruses that have woody elements, or heavier bases with notes of vetiver, for example.
Shoemack recommends looking for a leather scent that is closer to suede than tack room. "You want it to be softened with something powdery or ambery underneath so it doesn't read as too severe."
ORMONDE JAYNE
Suede Silhouette Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Italian bergamot, timur pepper, saffron, iris, ambrette seeds, raspberry, suede, Madgascan vanilla, oud, musk
