These cheery cherry boots by Gabriella Rocha are doing their level best to convince me that I need to break down and buy my first pair of wellies. With 10 inches of snow threatening to melt early next week, I feel I should be prepared. I do my share of wading through slush puddles with the boy and babe.
Do you own a pair of rain boots? Do you wear them a lot or do they just hog space in your closet? Do tell.
Available at:
I dare you to find these for cheaper! The Sofft Modena Tall boot has a 2 inch wedge heel, ultra cushioned footbed, flexible polyurethane sole and comes in wide widths. Now is a great time to buy boots, especially if you're north of the Mason-Dixon line--you can find a great deal and still have plenty of winter to wear them.
$89.99 at Shoetrader.com; free shipping and returns.
Until Punxsutawny Phil tells me otherwise, I'm going to assume winter is here for the long haul in Chicago. As much as I'd love to "think spring" as all the magazines are telling me to do, I know better.
Shoemall has a great selection of boots on sale right now with an extra 15% off all orders until Jan. 15 if you enter promo code INTRO15 at checkout.
I honestly liked the looks of this southwestern inspired boot back when it was full price. I think I could put up with the swishing and swaying of the tassels for $49.99. Ok, so it's a little Pocahontas, but I like the Prairie boot better than those fringy moccasin boots.
If you have Morton's neuroma (ouch!) or metatarsalgia (ay!!), you'll want to give Sofft a try.The footbed is gloriously comfortable. $49.99 at Shoemall, free shipping and returns.
Give that girl some PANTS!
The Walking Company has a most wonderful selection of comfortable, cute shoes for women, men and kiddos. Check out their sale while you're at it--some great deals. Currently they are offering free Christmas shipping on orders over $100.
Look! Little snowflakes falling from boots! The Sporto Simone is a comfortable, fashionable alternative to the furry beast, Ugg (I say that in love).
I really like the winter white color, although I can't imagine they'd stay that color for more than two hours. Within that time frame, I'd manage to pour coffee down the side, get too close to the side of the car getting babykins out of his car seat, or walk into a dirty snowdrift. I guess I'd have to settle for for the black, tan or chocolate suede.
Customers at Shoebuy and Zappos have pitched the Simone some nice compliments: "feel like slippers (faux fur inside), waterproof, cozy, non-slip." Order up a half size--these run a bit small.
If you can dedicate a song to someone, you can dedicate a boot. My dear friend Beth and I were chatting about winter boots the other day and agreed that our husbands aren't really diggin' the Uggs. I know she's in the market for a more stylish boot that she can wear with jeans and still be comfortable. I made it my mission to find a budget-friendly boot that met those requirements and by golly, I found it.
The Sporto Koko short boot features the following:
So Beth, this boot's for you--knowing you love a good deal like I do (Steve and Barry's Puffer jacket for $9.98).
Update 1/8/08: Check out Zappos, I just noticed they had a few of the Classic Crochet in chestnut and bijou blue.
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We all know Oprah has the midas touch, turning basic items such as melamine bowls and panini presses into can't-live-without treasures. And once again, an Ugg boot that has been out for over a year, makes the list. The Classic Tall Crochet can be worn slouchy or pulled over skinny jeans, if you're into that look. I'm not, so I'd just wear them over my fat jeans.
Get 'em while they're hot...along with your panini press. $120 at UggAustralia.com.
Free shipping on all orders over $125 at UGG Australia. No code necessary.
Update 1/9/2008: If you're a 39 or 40 Euro size, you're in luck. There ar a few pair of Nena's left at the Walking Company and they're on sale for $119! Click on the link and then search by keyword. I hope they're still there!
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The color of the top boot is butterscotch. The color of the pair below is chocolate. And these two colors remind me of my favorite cookie. You can tell I'm feeling better after the evil stomach flu exacted its vengeance on me earlier this week.
The Nena boot is from Dansko's Nolita line. I can't decide if it's an ankle boot or mid-calf boot; I guess it just depends on whether you're tall or petite. Wondering how to wear this boot? Dansko says, "The Nolita Collection can be dressed up with a flowing skirt or
down with your favorite jeans, and either way you are guaranteed to feel
pretty and feminine in this fashionable wedge."
Guaranteed to feel pretty? And how do they guarantee that? Do I get my money back if I take a picture of myself in these boots at this very moment? I'll guarantee you that wouldn't be pretty. The day after stomach flu is never pretty.
All joking aside, I think this is a really cute boot. I like the supportive wedge heel even if it is 3" high. I mean, look at the platform--it has to be at least an inch high! Customers at OnlineShoes.com and Zappos have only accolades for the Nena.
Price Points:
While your friends are kicking around in their Uggs, wearing their North Face pullovers and sipping their Starbucks, you can break the conformist mold in your new Sanita Robin Clog Boots...and if it were me, I'd prefer a Dunkin Donuts coffee over Starbucks any day of the week.
Sanita is a Danish company that has made quality wooden clogs since 1907 and up until recently produced the polyurethane soles for Dansko clogs. The wooden sole on the Sanita Robin feels a lot like the rocker sole on a Dansko clog, taking the pressure off the forefoot while walking. $109.95 at OnlineShoes.com with free shipping and returns. If you make a $100 purchase at OnlineShoes.com through tomorrow, you will receive a $20 credit to use on your next purchase.
I ordered my first pair of Uggs four years ago during the Christmas Ugg craze. If you recall, celebrities began wearing the tall furry ones with short skirts...and high school girls everywhere followed suit from Alaska to Florida no matter the weather. My Uggs are and will remain my utilitarian Chicago snow/cold boot.
I would however like a pair of these Nordic-inspired Uggs as my dress-up pair. I'm eying the black ones.
Note that this model runs smaller than the traditional Ugg Classic, so order up a size if you want to wear them with thicker socks or are in between sizes.
Stay away from Uggs if you are prone to warm, sweaty feet; these will only make the problem worse ;-) $149.95 at Shoes.com.
Update 12/5/07: This boot is currently on sale at Piperlime for $59.99!
Jelly Donut. Does this boot bring to mind a jelly donut? Wouldn't you love to work for BC Footwear where you can name a shoe after just about anything? I would name all the shoes after coffee orders...
I'm not sure about the all-day comfort factor of this menswear chic shootie, but personally I'd tough it out for a few hours in the name of fashion. The shoe 
reviewer over at OnlineShoes.com gave it five stars for style and comfort, so I guess it can't be that bad: round toe, low kitten heel, rubber sole, lightly padded footbed. $80 at Piperlime (owned by Gap), free shipping and returns. Also comes in gray suede.
Oh the wonder of Söfft boots and shoes! How do they do it? Consider this: I have rheumatoid arthritis which has damaged the little bones in my toes and forefoot causing me great pain over the years. Doctors have told me that my high heel days are over; and up until now, I have believed them. I am here today, my virtual friend, to tell you that I can walk in comfort in a three inch heel thanks to this wonderfully cushiony boot, th
e Söfft Elysia. The padding in the metatarsal area (think ball of foot), takes the pressure off those little bones in my forefoot allowing me to stand and walk pain-free. I can't wait to wear these OUT once I get a babysitter...
I found a great deal on the Söfft Elysia in wide widths at DesignerShoes.com for $152 with free shipping (save an extra 5% with coupon code AFMAX at checkout). Medium widths are available at OnlineShoes.com for $159.95 with free shipping and returns. OnlineShoes.com is currently running a promotion: buy one pair of boots, get the second 25% off.
Black leather boots that come in narrow to extra wide widths for $69.99?
'Tis possible at ShoeTrader.com. These elegant boots by Ros Hommerson have goring that expands for more curvaceous calves plus they come in narrow, medium, wide and extra wide widths.
If you're not sure how to wear this trend, check out this article by Desiree Stimpert; the shoe guide over at About.com. Here are some of my favorites:
A. Soft
spots Delfina: The best bet for the problem foot. Softspots incorporates a Pillow Top TM footbed made of memory foam in all of their shoes and boots. These also come in wide and extra wide widths. $94.95 with free shipping and returns at Onlineshoes.com.
B. Sofft Rochelle: Sofft shoes and boots have a way of making you forget you're in a heel. I tried on a similar Sofft style the other day at the shoe store and was amazed that I could walk around comfortably without metatarsal, bunion or knee pain. The Rochelle has a dressier look than the Softspots Delfina and would look great with tights and a jersey dress or an above-knee skirt. Shoemall has a good price on the brown leather: $109.95--the black is on backorder for the same price. Zappos has both colors in stock for $125.95 with the best customer service anywhere on the net (free shipping and returns/exchanges and most orders are shipped the day they are ordered).
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C. Ecco Bern Ankle Boot: Combines a stylish foldover upper, decorative lacing with a modest 2" heel. Ecco is a European company that prides themselves in their innovative "freedom fit" that allows your toes to spread as you walk. $159.95 with free shipping and returns at OnlineShoes.com.
D. Gentle Souls Janover Shootie (shoe + boot + ie): Gentle Souls is Kenneth Cole's new comfort shoe line. The footbed is lined with flax seed filled pillows that mold to the shape of your foot. I KNEW flaxseed was good for you! Although not a budget shoe, I love the looks of it and thought I'd share it with you. $298.95 at Zappos with free shipping and returns.
I had the chance to see these awesome boots up close and personal today as I shopped at Macy's with my mom. Leaving the kids at home with my hubby and dad, I was thrilled just to mill around the shoe department (and Lush cosmetics counter, but that's for another blog). I came across the boot I had been eying online, the Born Pratt.
Not being able to find a salesperson that wasn't already running ragged to serve her customers, I decided just to man-handle the boot a bit. The sole is extremely flexible, the leather is soft, the heel is manageable and the detailing sets it apart from the other boring black boots. Knowing I could find the boot for less than the $180 Macy's sticker, I came home and found it for as low as $169.99 with free shipping at Shoemall.com.
The Barking Dog started this post three times with various ankle boots, but decided on this Victorian inspired design from Naturalizer due to the $79.99 price at Shoes.com. Ok, ok, so they're not REAL leather, but maybe that's a good thing these days?
The Ganges (disclaimer: if you touch them, you will not be magically cured of all foot pain), features a cushioned insole, rounded toe and 2 1/4 inch heel.
I first saw the Dansko Risa last season and thought, "By golly, Dansko has created a truly pretty boot that looks nothing like a clog!" The Risa has a Carbosan® cushion insole which provides shock absorption and cushiony comfort for the sole of your foot. The 2.5 " heel is made of sturdy yet flexible polyurethane.
This knee-hi boot comes in chocolate brown and black suede for $183.95 at Zappos.com. And if you head on over to Onlineshoes.com, you can find them in brown and black calf leather for $224.95. Keep in mind both websites offer speedy free shipping and free exchanges.