Buyer’s guide for women’s boots: From fashion to fur to hiking
Some boots are made for walking, while some, on the other hand, will just give you blisters. There are so many styles and different occasions for wearing certain kinds of boots that sometimes making a choice can get overwhelming. A good pair of boots can augment your whole wardrobe, but you’ll need to pick the right pair for the right occasion.
Knee-High Boots
Every woman needs a pair of these in her wardrobe, especially in winter to keep your calves warm! Knee-high boots come in all heights, with heels or without, in all colors and styles. They can be worn on top of a skinny jean to create the “cigarette” jean look, making your legs look slim and long. They also look professional and elegant with a dress or a nice trench coat. Choose a brown or black boot for your first pair if you can’t afford to buy several because these neutrals are the most flexible and will go with just about everything.
Ankle Boots
Ankle boots, also known as booties, are too high to be considered shoes, but are much smaller than a regular boot. They come in a variety of different colors and styles, as well as different heel heights. Though extremely cutting-edge, ankle boots are not easy to wear and are not recommended for every woman. They are particularly unflattering for women with thicker calves because they tend to cover up the slope of the leg to the ankle, making the calf seem like one large thick mass.
Unless you’re a supermodel, ankle boots should never be worn with leggings and a tight top because the visual balance will be skewed; you will look small on the bottom and big on top, like a clown on stilts. Try pairing them with a body-conscious dress and a blazer, or a pair of menswear-inspired trousers.
Fur-Lined Boots
An ‘ugg’ used to be an Australian word for any boot made from sheepskin, but the word is now synonymous with the Ugg brand. They are everywhere and so are their imitators, which are prevented by copyright from using the term ‘ugg’. Their boots are comfortable and casual and warm enough for frosty weather. This particular brand is not recommended for use in wet and snowy weather, but some other fur boots are waterproofed and more practical for the winter season.
Most fashionable fur boots are not waterproof, so if you do not intend to maintain the fur with cleaning and conditioning in the spring, you are better off getting faux fur, which is more durable. The benefit of the popular of these boots is that they are available everywhere and in every color and style imaginable. The problem with their popularity is that even imitation boots are comparatively expensive. Unfortunately, you’re paying more for the brand than the quality.
Fur boots are flexible fashion accessories that can be worn with jeans and sweat pants or even with skirts and dresses (though this look can be tough to pull off successfully). If you intend to wear the boots more often with jeans, then wear a pair of jeans when you go shopping for them and decide whether it looks better to have your jeans tucked in or underneath the jeans.
Pricing for Fashion Boots
Fur boots, ankle boots and knee-high boots are available in any department store, like JC Penney or Nordstrom, as well specialty shoe stores and designer shoe stores. Online stores like Zappo’s and shoes.com have almost limitless selections. Expect to spend $100 on a pair of knee-high boots or fur boots and at least $49 on a good pair of ankle boots.
Rain Boots
Over the past couple of years, rain boots have been transforming from unfashionable but necessary footwear to veritable art pieces in many styles, colors and patterns. Rain boots are now available in all heights, from knee-high to just up to the ankle. The set-back for this new fashion trend is that its popularity is reflected in the price, making the stylish brands twice as expensive as the practical rain boot, better known as wellies.
A good pair of rain boots begin at $69.00 and up and are available in most general shoe stores. They tend to be the most expensive during the fall, but begin to go on sale during the winter. You’ll have a tough time finding them in a store during the summer, but they are always available online.
JC Penney offers a variety of fashion rain boots, as do most department stores, but for a pair of regular rain boots it would be best to try a Work Warehouse, which offers practical footwear for jobs, starting at about $29.
Hiking Boots
Look for a stiff upper part that come up higher on your foot than a sneaker; you’ll also want many lace eyelets to provide ankle support for the rough, bumpy terrain encountered on a hiking trail. Hiking boots usually have extra traction on the sole specialized for the outdoors and designed for safety and comfort as well as function. Some brands have waterproof linings and come in both wide and narrow widths; a perfect fit is key, since extra room in your boot can lead to painful blisters after a day on the trail.
Watch out for the weight of the boots you are buying. A general rule to keep in mind is that one extra pound of weight in your boots feels the same as five extra pounds in your backpack. Lighter boots won’t wear you out as quickly, but may not offer the stability you need on a long, strenuous hike. If you’re into shorter, more leisurely hikes, a pair of trail running shoes may be all you need.
Hiking boots should be available in any sporting goods store (try EMS or REI) or in the Sportman’s Guide catalogue, where you can find trusted brands such as Timberland, Wolverine and Merrell. Prices start at around $39, but more expensive boots last longer and come with more durable and waterproof technology, like Goretex lining.
Materials
One final warning: Don’t go for something cheap made from low-quality material, as you’ll get what you pay for. Look for long-lasting natural materials like leather or suede, which are more expensive that faux or knockoff styles.
If you don’t have the budget to splurge, make sure you buy a solid brown or black boot that goes with anything, rather than a pattern or color you can only wear on occasion. Your investment will last even longer if you waterproof your new purchase before wearing them, and take them to a shoe repair shop occasionally for maintenance and a polish.
Pay attention to fit when buying boots with heels, but double up on socks for other boots if necessary. Look cute and stay warm in the winter season with the perfect pair of boots!