It’s the middle of winter in New Brunswick- need I say more? It’s freezing, snowing, icy and frankly I am sick of all the doom and gloom, as I’m sure many of you are as well. The Japanese use the same word for crisis and opportunity, and I thought this was true in the case of winter- all about perspective here folks! Undeniably we have to bundle up more than Ralphie in A Christmas Story, but who says we can’t look good doing it?
Now in order to really pull off this wonderful new outlook we have on winter and its endless fashion opportunities, we need to get a better look at our “Investment Pieces”. When I say “Investment Pieces” I’m referring to the foundation items in your wardrobe that you should never compromise on quality, because of price. These are items that require a bit of research and some planning ahead of time to make sure you’re making an investment in your wardrobe and not just creating clutter! In this two part post I am talking specifically about a special brand of wardrobe investments we all have to make as proud Canadians: winter boots, coats, and winter accessories. I have spent the last few years perfecting a bit of a system when it comes to purchasing good quality outerwear pieces and how to style them in a way that keeps them looking trendy and current all season long or from year to year.
Let’s start with boots! I worked for a short time in a retail shoe store and I was floored by the amount of women who had no idea what they needed or wanted in a winter boot. I would see countless returns from online orders, and cranky busy women who just wanted to get this miserable task of winter boot shopping off their to-do lists. Shopping for winter boots should be fun and exciting!
My best pro-tips for purchasing winter boots are fairly simple: take a look at the cut of most of your pants. Do you wear wide leg dress pants everyday for work? Then you wouldn’t want anything low cut with a bulky fur trim at the top, but something sleek, tailored to the foot, and low cut with a little heel would be perfect. Do you wear mostly skinny legged pants? Then it’ll be beneficial for you to buy a boot with more detail on the sides or a knee high since you’ll most likely be tucking your pants into your boots.
The next thing to take into consideration is which neutral you tend to gravitate toward is it black or brown? This is important to keep your outfits looking streamline for the upcoming season. Personally I wear more black clothing items, it’s a matter of preference and it’s a neutral that matches most items in my existing wardrobe.
Something else to keep in mind is what you’ll be doing when you wear your boots. Are you going from your garage and across the work parking lot twice a day? If so a dress boot with a light lining might be all you need. Or are you walking a few blocks to and from the bus stop to get to work or school? In this case you’ll need something with a good rubber tread and a lining for warmth. Are you on your feet all day? You’ll want something lightweight and flat. Do you sit at a desk? This affords you the perfect opportunity to wear heels; however you’ll want to ensure you’ve got waterproof protection since you won’t want wet feet all day! This all might seem like common sense but as someone who has worked in retail- common sense is not all that common.
Once you’ve determined what style of boot is going to work best then it’s time to go shopping! This can seem like a daunting task after reading all these different factors that go into purchasing an Investment Piece- Ladies you get what you pay for especially in the case of footwear. Remember to ask yourself this simple question when you’re trying things on: “Can I think of at least three outfits at home in my closet that will match this?” If you can’t- move on girl. Have you ever purchased a pair of super cute boots, get them home and realize they don’t match a single outfit you own? Never do that again. Ladies you should be asking yourselves this every single time you purchase a piece of winter outerwear. Save the space in your closet for something you’re actually going to wear!!
Thanks entirely to this system I have been having my best winter yet for dealing with the elements of this most dreaded season. I have two “main” pairs of boots that I alternate, however boot shopping comes with a different set of challenges for me due to an injury my right ankle has a tendency to swell during the day. So this can make things a little more tricky for me when I am shopping, luckily I’ve found the solution- laces. I’ve learned through this unique quirk that I have to deal with that boots with laces are easily adjusted for optimal comfort, and most include an additional zipper closure to ease taking them on and off.
The boots featured above were purchased from Natuarlizer here in Fredericton. Made by Blondo in genuine water proof black leather Paloma is one of the best boot purchases I’ve ever made. They feature a 2 ½ inch heel, sturdy rubber tread and platform in the front. This platform has been sent down to bless us from the mercy of the Style Gods- the ½ inch platform alleviates the pressure that you would normally feel on the ball of your foot and reduces the effect of the heel making these the most comfortable pair of boots I’ve ever owned.
Have you ever walked outside in a pair of ‘winter’ boots and realize they have about as much tread as your ballet flats? The folks at Blondo were brilliant in how they constructed the tread on these boots they are made of a softer rubber compound which means it works with the heat of your foot to stay sticky and give you the best possible grip when you’re walking sort like a winter tire. Slip and slide no longer my pretties- Blondo’s got our backs. One of my favorite things about a boot this style is its classic look and versatility. I wear them with any style pants wide leg or skinny, I can tuck my pant legs in or leave them out it’s all a matter of preference for that days outfit, but most of all I can easily wear them with a dress or skirt. Buy them here now!
Check out the boots here!
Bottom line is girls that there is a huge difference between spending money and investing money when it comes to clothing purchases. With a good quality pair of boots in a classic style that are warm, dry, and comfortable is truly invaluable, and definitely aides in making winter seem not so dreary after all.
Stay tuned for part two of this winter special. I will be discussing how to purchase winter coats that will make you wish you could wear them all year round!
Cheers!
Fredtown Fashionista
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