Last week we had a stretch of 3ish mild, enjoyable days, and you know, one of the things I was most excited about? Not having to wear socks, just wearing flats. It's funny how I get excited to wear my boots leading up to winter, but once a few weeks of frigid temps and snow arrive, I end up missing my flats. The grass is always greener!
Anyway, it is the season for boots, and as a born-and-raised Pittsburgher, I have amassed quite a collection. There are snow boots for function, boots simply for comfort and warmth (ahem, Uggs), and then there is an elusive category of warm, comfortable, and fashionable boots.
I've noticed that most recent messages are from people asking for options from the more elusive boot category, so I thought I would highlight a few pairs I have or think have great potential.
First, my most recent boot purchase comes to mind: these
Suede Flat Boots. They are comfortable and great in inclement weather thanks to the thicker sole. I find them to be fashionable in their simplicity and really love the dark brown color. This has a lug sole, but I don't think it looks as clunky as some other lug-sole options. Before I purchased these boots, I really wanted
these. Unfortunately, they sold out quickly, so I searched for something similar. Happy to report, they are great, and I would recommend them. They run true to size. With boots like these, I generally like to wear them with straight-fit bootcut pants. I never wear them with dresses or skirts; always pants, and almost always with the boots' ankles covered.
These are not the most comfortable boots. They don't hurt, but I wouldn't call them comfortable either. I have had these for years, though, and regardless of boot styles that are 'in', I always end up reaching for them at some point because of their dressier silhouette. I've worn them in lots of different winter weather conditions, and they have always held up perfectly. They look great with wide-leg pants or looser trouser-style pants. Similar to the lug-sole boots, I always wear these with pants covering the ankles and never with dresses or skirts.
Of all the boots on the list, I think this is the best bang for your buck. They're quality, comfortable, and work in the elements. Not to mention, they are cute, and I don't think the shape is overly trendy. Compared to the first pair of boots in this post, they are similar in shape, but the heel is chunkier, adding a bit of height. So these are nice with longer pants, where you may need a bit of height. I find them to skew more casual, even with the heel. I have worn skinny jeans tucked into the boots as you see above, and I actually like how they look. With most ankle boots, I would say I prefer pants over the ankle of the boot, but with these, they're chunky enough that you could tuck your pants in.
These are the most distinct boots in the bunch, in that they are very aptly named: the 'dress' bootie. They are the fanciest boots in my collection. These are what I typically wear with dress clothes, just like you see above. They are ankle boots, but the ankle rise is high enough that they work well under long skirts and formal dresses without showing any ankle skin. They look great with black tights, too. I just wouldn't wear them with a short dress and bare legs. Despite the high stiletto heel, they are incredibly comfortable. Hot tip: if you are wearing tights, you can sneak in a black cozy sock over top, and no one would be the wiser. It keeps my feet warmer and makes the boots even more comfortable. I've worn these in snow, and while they don't have any snowboot-like traction, they do hold up well in the elements. Think of these boots like classic black pumps, only winterized.
Besides boots that I personally own and wear, I think these look like a great option under $150. A classic silhouette, a nice thick grip sole, and a beautiful deep brown shade.
I considered these because I love the metal rivets around the sole and the idea that they are completely water-resistant. I treat my shoes with a
suede spray, but it was nice that these had already been treated. Anyway, I ultimately decided to pass on them as I felt like the sole was a touch chunkier than I wanted. But still, even now, I love the look of them.
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