The shaft here is cut longer than the leg needs, so it settles into soft folds around the calf instead of standing to attention. Two round silver-toned buckles hold that slouch where it falls, one riding the top edge beneath a fold-over cuff and one drawn in at the ankle, and the napped surface picks up light differently across every gather. Slouch is engineered here, not accidental.

Height comes from a solid block heel of roughly two and a half inches, broad enough underfoot that a long day standing stops being a negotiation. The round toe leaves room across the ball of the foot rather than pinching it narrow, and there is no zip to wrestle with at the end of the evening. The shaft pulls straight on and stays where you put it. Pulled up full, the shaft reaches just under the knee; pushed down, it stacks into folds at the ankle, and both readings are correct.

Velvet Vogue cuts this one in black, coffee, beige, brown and grey, so it slides in next to whatever is already in the wardrobe. The mid-calf line sits above a straight-leg jean and just below a midi hem, which is the length that does the most work across a season. Wear it with the cuff up for a cleaner line, or fold it down and let the buckle sit forward.

• Fit: true to size, order your usual size
• Key details: twin round buckle straps, fold-over top cuff, ruched slouch shaft, round toe
• Heel: block heel, approx. 2.5 inches
• Shaft: mid-calf height
• Closure: pull-on, no zip
• Sizes and colours: US 5.5 to 12 in black, coffee, beige, brown and grey. Model wears a US 7
• Care: brush clean with a soft dry brush and air dry away from direct heat