Fashionable Boots for Winter

Winter is a great time to break out the boots. Boots as footwear have been consistently popular in fall fashion for absolutely years – They combine practicality, warmth, and comfort with a fashionable winter look. Whether you prefer cute ankle boots, calf-highs or the daring look of knee-high boots, this time of year there are lots of different styles to choose from out there on the market. When choosing a pair (or pairs) of winter boots to see you through the harsher months, these are some of the important decisions that you should consider.

Boot Length

As mentioned above, boots come in many different sizes, and I don’t just mean shoe size – the length to which the boot extends up your leg is one of the first things you must think about. Although with all kinds of shoes you have to carefully consider whether they will match the outfit you are wearing, with boots it is even more important – for example, if you try to wear high boots under a pair of trousers or jeans, you may find that they create lumps and bumps that look totally out of place. The reverse situation, of course, is trying to wear a pair of boots over trousers (a continuing fashion for ankle and calf-highs, at least) and finding that the fit of the boots isn’t loose enough. One of the favourite ways to wear boots in winter is with a mid-length skirt – almost any height of boot will look great this way.

Ankle boots have been very popular in fashion throughout the entirety of 2011. These are perhaps the least daring of the available options – most ankle boots on the market at the moment have quite a loose fit around the ankle itself, and so can be worn over the cuff of jeans or trousers, comfortably paired with a skirt, or even a pair of shorts. Higher boots are less suitable for wearing with trousers, so if you’re looking for the kind of boots that are most flexible, ankle boots are probably your best bet. Higher boots, however, have become very popular this season because of the striking look they create when paired with an oversized winter coat, another of 2011′s biggest fashions.

Boots and coat together make a great, dramatic silhouette as well as keeping you cosy and warm this winter.

Type of Heel

As with any style of shoes, when buying a pair of boots you need to also think about the type of heel you want your boot to have. The first stage is height – if these are boots you’re going to be wearing everyday to work or to walk around town, you might want to opt for comfortable, flat soles. On the other hand, if these are going to be boots for nights out on the town or other glamorous affairs, high heels might do the trick. Or maybe you want something in between – slight, professional heels for looking smart in a meeting or at interview. Context is extremely important when choosing any kind of clothing, so think carefully about where and when you intend to wear your boots.

A slow and careful decision is even more essential if you’re looking to spend a substantial amount of money. If you want to buy several pairs of boots for different situations, you don’t want to shell out a fortune for each pair. Alternatively, if you’re looking for one reliable pair of steadfast boots to see you through the season, you may want to invest more cash so that you get high quality boots that will last. Although kitten heels may look fantastic, will you only end up wearing them once or twice? Or if you prefer heels for everyday wear, buying a pair of flats, no matter how practical you convince yourself they are, you may find that you constantly opt for less appropriate footwear just because you can’t resist the added height.

Colour and Material

The most common colours that you will find on a pair of winter boots are black, grey, or brown. Of course there are some brighter options out there, and if you feel you can pull it off then you should definitely consider that option, but these are the staple shades of footwear this season primarily because they can be paired with so many different outfits. Black boots can literally be worn with anything. If that kind of flexibility is what you’re after, go for a neutral shade. However, if you want a good pair of quite stunning winter boots, consider a design that incorporates buckles, studs, or even chains. Material wise, leather is the obvious choice. Suede boots may be an option, but remember that this material is particularly susceptible to water damage, and in the UK in winter there’s almost a 100% chance that you’ll be exposed to some pretty damp weather.

These tan leather boots are a great example of the perfect combination of style and substance.

Top Three Styles

To get you started thinking about what kind of winter boots you might like, here’s a reminder of three of the most popular styles currently trending both with celebrities and on the street.

The popularity of the wedge heel has carried over from summer sandals into winter boots.

The stud detail on these boots gives them a grungy, punk look.

The resurgence of lace up boots brings something elegant and sophisticated to winter footwear.

- Kat Humphries

Sources and Further Information:

Fashion for all ages: Winter coats at The Guardian Fashion Gallery

10 Best Winter Boots at marieclaire.co.uk

Winter boots: get the look at The Mirror Fashion

Autumn Trends for your Feet

Summer 2011 has been all about the boat shoe but as we gear up for Autumn, which already appears to have begun descending on us, we square up what is hot and what is not in the world of winter suitable shoes.

First up on our wish list are loafers. Loafers have been kicking around in the boat shoe crowd for a while this year but with boyish tailored looks about to take over the catwalks, the loafer is due to take centre stage as the shoe of the season. They are comfortable, easy to wear with chinos, tailored trousers, skirts or shorts and are much better suited to cold weather than towering heels. Loafers with heels tend to be chunky and therefore far easier to strut around in.

Following on from that comment, stacked heels are also going to be making an appearance with the colder weather and may we say we love this style. Not only are they far more comfortable to walk in, they are also safer, no skidding around on the ice for us this year. Well-heeled shoes with grip are our weapons in the war against wet weather, wet leaves and icy pavements.

Last but not least are the autumn boots that no girl should be without. The chunkier and more masculine the better, those are the rules for boots this year. Go for leather, buckles, scuffs, studs, whatever you like. Whilst the weather is bearable you might want to opt for ankle boots as these tends to be cooler and go perfectly with skinny jeans or slim leg trousers that are extremely fashionable right now.

Ankle boots and knee length boots are in huge demand during the colder months so start thinking about them now, you can buy now pay later no credit check at Ellos.co.uk so get shopping.