While I would love nothing more than to teeter around in sweet mary janes, killer stilettos and delicate sandals all-year-round, there’s this pesky thing called winter – often accompanied by an even peskier phenomena known as snow – that manages to throw a wrench in my plans every year like clockwork.
Rather than run the risk of catching frostbite (or perhaps even worse, ruining the suede finish on my beloved Manolos!) I turn my sartorial tastes to more practical shoe fare from roughly November through March. Growing up in Michigan and spending my entire adult life in New York State, I’ve grown to learn a thing or two about what makes a great winter boot collection. And below are my top selections that have stood the test of time in keeping my tootsies warm, toasty and dry through even the bleakest of seasons…
{Left: TIMBERLAND; Right: COACH}
If you live someplace that ever gets more than an inch or two of snow at a time, then you’re gonna wanna go ahead and get some real deal, heavy-duty snow boots. Sorry to break it to you kids, but there’s just no way around it. Luckily, styles have come a long way since the dorky moon boots that were forced upon my feet as a child in the 80s.
I’ve had both these Timberland and Coach pairs for going on 8 years now (does that make them almost vintage?), and they still manage to keep my feet just as warm and dry as the day that I purchased them. I’ve worn them in -40 degree temps and ankle deep snow and lived to tell about it. What you want to look for here is something with a flawless traction (‘cuz you know… ice), a warm fleece-y lining, and a fully gusseted tongue that prevents water from seeping into your boots. Trust me on this – getting water or snow into your boots is NOT fun.
The pair on the right are a little chicer thanks to the glossy finish and fuzzy trim. But in serious weather conditions, I very much appreciate the taller shaft height of the pair on the left. In fact, these are my go-to apres-ski boots that I always take with me on our annual trip to Mount Snow in Vermont.
{Left: HUNTER; Right: SALVATORE FERRAGAMO}
Next up is a good old-fashioned pair of rubber wellies. Now I know all of my peeps who live in true snow paradises like Minnesota, New Hampshire, Maine and the like will probably scoff (if not sneer) at the idea of wearing rubber rain boots in the snow, but I still hold firm that boots like these serve a crucial function in your winter arsenal. As the temps warm, and the fluffy white stuff turns into a slushy grey mess, you’ll be glad you have shoes like these at the ready. I usually reserve my wellies for when the temps are above 30 degrees Fahrenheit. But to be honest, I’ve gotten away with wearing them well below freezing with my secret weapon: FLEECE BOOT SOCKS! Seriously, these things are a game-changer. Getchu some!
Hunter is of course the gold-standard (at least in the fashion blogosphere) when it comes to rainboots, but rest-assured there are other viable options out there as well. Some folks even have a whole kaleidescope of colors to match their many outfits and moods. But this pair of trusty matte black Classic Tall boots have served me well since 2010, and I haven’t felt the need to branch out to other hues.
Now if you’re fancy like me (or like her), you may want to consider a pair of designer rain boots. If you’re initial reaction to that statement was something like: “Spend $200 on a pair of rubber boots..? Girl, you crazy!” – just hear me out for a second. Yes, I absolutely realize that this can be viewed as a frivolous purchase. But from a cost-per-wear standpoint, these Ferragamos are easily my most practical designer shoe purchase ever. I bought them on a whim in 2015 and still get compliments to this day every. single. time. I wear them. I’m not even exagerrating. In fact, a lot of people don’t even realize they’re rain boots at first. These are my go-to shoes whenever the weather is downright nasty, but I still have to look polished and put-together. Because let’s face it, there’s nothing more confidence-bursting than walking into a meeting with an important client looking like a schlub. These pretty little things allow me to put my best foot forward (see what I did there?) while braving the elements.
{Left: L.L. BEAN; Right: J. CREW}
Next up, we half your ankle-high boots. Shorties are great for those casual days when the snow isn’t too deep, but it’s still nasty enough out where you don’t wanna take a chance in ruining your regular shoes. In fact, if you live in warmer climates or places that just tend to get much snow, you can probably get away with just a pair of these.
As far as classics go, you really can’t go wrong with good ol’ Bean Boots. They’re a surefire way to put a little prep in your step (if you’re into that sort of thing). My husband’s had his pair for close to eight years, and he finally convinced me to jump on the bandwagon in preparation for our trip to Alaska back in 2015. I personally don’t find them great for snow, because they don’t have much of a lining. But they do offer versions with shearling on the inside as well. Just beware – each pair is made by hand, and they tend to sell out quickly once the temperatures begin to drop. Luckily, I bought my pair over the summer and had no problems getting the exact style I wanted.
The pair of boots on the right are a more recent acquisition that I wish I would have embraced sooner. These rubber chelsea boots serve a similar purpose to my Ferragamo’s, but in a more casual style and much more wallet-friendly price point. I also love my little shorties for travel, because they fit into my luggage nicely without taking up too much room.
{Left: UGG; Right: WOOLRICH}
So the last two pairs are what I like to call my wildcards. I didn’t know I needed either one until they were placed upon my feet…
First off, we have your Classic Tall Uggs. While I’ve successfully managed to keep any visual evidence off of the interwebs until today, I’ve been quietly rocking my Uggs offline since 2004. This is only my second pair in that time span, and I can’t even remember how long ago I purchased them. While not exactly a fashion statement (while Cardi B. might have you believe differently), the fact of the matter is these bad boys are WARM. A suede brush and water-proofing spray is a must if you want your Uggs to have staying power. And if possible, never ever ever ever wear them in the rain or extremely slushy conditions… unless you don’t mind your boots permanently smelling like a wet dog from there on out.
And last, but not least, we have my beloved insulated hiking boots – purchased over the summer for my trip to Switzerland. I added the red laces to make them a bit more festive, and I gotta say – I’m in love! The great thing about these is that they’re multi-purpose. I’ll always be a city-slicker at heart, but I do like to venture out and explore nature from time to time, and these help keep me stylish while doing it.
