... but what do women *wear*on their feet during winter?!

December 24, 2009 8:35 PM

Help me figure out what casual-but-stylish shoes to wear for an urban winter. Lots of tiresome fashion details inside.

I'm a relatively style-savvy (...er, I hope) woman, but for whatever reason I just *cannot* figure out what kind of casual-yet-stylish shoes to wear now that it's colder. I tend towards cute flats with skinnier jeans in the summer/fall, but that looks sort of stupid with socks, so I'm pretty much trying to find the winter replacement. I'm already a fan of jeans-under-flat-knee-high boots, but I'm looking for something ankle-height, like regular shoes or booties, that I *don't* need to tuck the ends of my jeans into. I'd like either flats or low heels (under 2"), preferably a dark color, leather, under $100 (well, the cheaper the better). It'll be a bonus if it's something I can wear with black tights/leggings and casual skirts, but I really want them primarily for jeans & weekend tops.

I like the cone heel and the toe of these gorgeous booties a TON, but they're a bit too high and only come in this cognac suede. (Would these look OK with jeans, though? My "skinny" jeans aren't the type that shrink-wrap to your ankles; they're more of a straight-leg opening with "regular" denim that's not like 100% stretch.)

I'm also considering something like this, even though it's out of my usual look-range and, uh, basically disregards 2 of my 3 criteria above.

Any suggestions? Pictures of people wearing suggested styles would be especially useful--sometimes I like a shoe online, but I can't figure out how it's supposed to work with the rest of the outfit. Thanks, fashionable winter MeFites!

posted by alleycat01 to clothing, beauty, & fashion (11 answers total)

How cold is it where you live? Snow or ice? Do the shoes need to be waterproof?
posted by fshgrl at 9:57 PM on December 24, 2009

I know you said short booties, but tall boots with skinny jeans/pants tucked in is really in right now and is usually pretty flattering. Most importantly, it's warm.
You could also try lace-up oxfords. that cover the whole foot. Those are widely available right now and are cute. I would look up some specific styles for you, but I'm way tired. Zappos is a good starting point always, even if you don't buy from them.
posted by ishotjr at 10:19 PM on December 24, 2009

Have you seen this?
posted by R a c h e l at 10:33 PM on December 24, 2009

What about this pair of ankle boots from Clarks?

Honestly though, under $100 is too low. It's absolutely worth it to spend a few hundred dollars on a sturdy pair of boots to wear all winter, because they will last you for years, sometimes decades. If you go with something from Frye, you can't go wrong, and they'll always be in style. For example.
posted by Mizu at 11:16 PM on December 24, 2009

Ankle boots are a pretty good standard these days if you're fashion conscious. I second the recommendation for Clark's - my $150 pair is going strong after 5 years. (I am budget style in all things but shoes. My shoe collection is small but carefully invested in - because when cared for well, they LAST.)

But if you just want some trendy throwaways, I'd suggest this or this. Depends on what your climate is like, of course - but in winter? Traction over fashion, any day - when I worked an office job, I just kept a pair of neutral office shoes in my desk and wore nice safe boots in to work every day. One broken ankle was enough to teach me the value of sensible shoes over vanity.
posted by medea42 at 5:02 AM on December 25, 2009

You could go for a different kind of boots -- slouchy knee-highs or calf-length, studded, cowboy, whatever, a lot of styles are in fashion right now. Low-heeled oxfords and loafers are also in fashion

Youlookfab, my favorite "how to" style blog (although it's slightly biased in favor of classic, slightly conservative style) has had some decent posts on footwear and what to wear it with. The comments are often helpful too, as people chime in to discuss what kinds of things they wear with the item under discussion in what kind of climate.
posted by bettafish at 6:13 AM on December 25, 2009

I swear by La Canadienne for winter boots (but I need waterproof and warm where I am.) 6pm.com is having an amazing sale on last year's styles-- how about these. They are under $100 now, nut usually sell for over $200.
posted by picklebird at 9:01 AM on December 25, 2009

ha! That should be "but" not "nut."
posted by picklebird at 9:03 AM on December 25, 2009

I have these and they are the most comfortable shoes in the world!
posted by raisingsand at 9:43 AM on December 25, 2009

I don't know about Mizu's suggested shoe from a style standpoint, but I own those and haven't been able to stop wearing them. They're one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I've ever owned, heels or no. FWIW, when I bought them at the store, the clerk said it was a really popular style, so I can't be the only one who thinks they look fine. I'm not at all convinced they'll last 5+ years, though.
posted by tantivy at 10:58 AM on December 25, 2009

Thanks for the suggestions and links, everybody! I should have been more clear in the beginning that I'm not actually looking for a pair that will take me through the entire winter, snow and all -- I live in NYC where things get plowed pretty quickly, and I have actual snowboots for times when the salt and slush get too bad (because of course you're right; traction over fashion!). I'm more just looking for something to wear when it's not crazy-wet, but too cold to expose the top of a bare foot.

I actually have a couple pairs of knee-boots already. The trouble is I have massive, elephantine calves and have to buy specialty wide calf boots (... and generally still go get the shafts stretched even then), and getting my bulkily demin-clad legs into them is pretty difficult, though I like the look. For the same reason, I've shied away from mid-calf boots -- all the ones I've tried on make my legs look like stuffed cylinders. Not so hot.

But! Oxfords are a good idea. And those Borns & the first Clarks mentioned are cute. (I won't even talk about the Fryes, which make my palms itch a little with longing.) And I've got to check out the 6pm sale ...

Thanks, ya'll!
posted by alleycat01 at 5:41 PM on December 25, 2009