My usual uniform of skinny jeans and flat pumps lets me down badly once the weather turns at this time of year. It pains me to admit that Mam was spot on about there being no heat in jeans but when she's right, she's right, and while nude transparent knee-highs do take the blotchy blue-toned look off exposed feet they offer as little insulation against the elements as the flats they're worn in.
And so the annual obsession with finding good-looking flat boots that I can easily work into my existing wardrobe and that will keep my feet warm and dry and cope with rain and snow without looking clumpy begins!
SHEAR-THING
Think Uggs are the only choice for slipper-toasty feet in freezing weather? Think again. This autumn, scads of brands are cottoning on to the idea of pimping their footwear with a shearling insole and lining for the colder months, including perennial weekend faves Converse.
1. Dr. Marten 'Triumph' boots, €195 from Schuh
2. Red or Dead 'Grace' lined boots, €115 from Schuh
3. Tan Converse, €77 from Schuh
GIVE IT SOME WELLY
During The Big Snow Of Winter 2010, I wore a pair of pink festival wellies to the first face-to-face meeting with my editors. It wasn't any sort of daring fashion statement or act of self-expression: I literally had no other waterproof footwear with grips that would keep me from going arse over tit in the lethal snow, slush and ice.
The pink wellies kept me upright and my editors were nice enough not to even raise an eyebrow at them, but they didn't exactly fit with the image I was trying to cultivate (less kooky Hello Kitty-lover, more Awesome Writer.) They've now sprung a leak and need replacing; this time around, I think I'll go with a pair that are a bit more boring versatile.
1. Hunter Original adjustable boots, €110 from Schuh
2. Jeqan Chelsea ankle boots, £65 from Ted Baker - New Look have similar for €32.99
3. Hunter Regent boots, €134.09 from ASOS
4. Ria lace-ups, also available in black, €60 from Dune
5. Mel by Melissa ankle booties, also available in black and nude, €48.99 from New Look
Of course, if the thought of spending more than €20 on a pair of wellington boots makes you feel a bit shaky, you can always join me in hunting down the last of the cheap festival offerings...
Advertised
1. Glossy solid colour wellies with side buckles, €13 from Penneys
2. Red ankle boots, now reduced to €10 from Heatons
Tip: To keep your feet nice and warm in your wellies, get yourself some fleecy welly liner or thermal socks and a pair of thermal insoles to insulate those toes. Mmm, cosy.
THE DOCTOR IS IN
Brown lipstick and Buffalo platform runners might be '90s trends that are best left in the past, but if you've still got your Docs from the first time around then dig them out and lace 'em up! They're hot as you like (again) for AW12 and can cope admirably in wintery conditions (but be warned that they can be slippy on ice or packed snow.)
Patent 8-hole Docs, €115 from Littlewoods Ireland
BIKER CHIC
If, on the other hand, Docs make you look a bit of a twit (personally I look like an old-faced 12-year-old girl in them) biker-style boots might be more your speed. Try a studded pair for maximum deadliness.
Advertised
1. 'Charge' leather bikers with slashed side detailing, €119.98 from ASOS
2. Studded ankle boots, €34.99 from New Look
3. Biker boots, £75 from River Island
Have you got your own winter boots sorted yet? Tell us all about them!
