Charlotte Russe

Please put away those heels, darling. For the winter season there are five must-have forms of footwear that should be taking up space in your shoe collection, and pumps are certainly not part of the equation. For the chillier months it’s all about the boots; but don’t feel resigned to force yourself to wear unfashionable bits that are cozy, yet make you feel frumpy. The key to keeping your tootsies toasty this winter, while retaining sophistication, is by embracing one – or all – of the must-have boot styles for winter!

1) Riding Boots
Don’t think that experience with horses is a prerequisite to don riding boots. While they are often seen strapped about the feet of experienced horsewomen; they are also an unbeatable way to add a little chic sophistication to any look that gives you a more polished persona. While many may view black boots as a necessity; I opt for a cognac/tan offering when purchasing riding boots. Cognac hues are extremely rich in appearance and add a little extra dimension to your look. Frye’s Veronica Slouch in Cognac Antique Brush Off is the ideal representation of the perfect riding boot courtesy of the minimal buckled detailing and under-two-inch chunk of a heel.

Tip: Stay away from too many buckled details when shopping for riding boots. Minimal embellishments give the style a more rustic, vintage look – exactly what you’re going for.

2) Over the Knee Boots
I won’t lie, over the knee boots are intimidating, especially for the shorter girls out there; but they don’t have to be. The key is to finding a pair that elongates your body without overpowering it; to do so, stick to neutral color schemes. Black and dark, chocolate browns work wonders in the sense that they easily correspond with dark wash jeans, black tights, and similar looks so that they make you look taller, as opposed to cutting your body in half. Charlotte Russe’s Suede Over-The-Knee Boots are one of my favorite over-the-knee pieces, as they are low in cost yet high on style.

Tip: When wearing over-the-knee boots try to keep away from extremely outlandish looks such as micro-minis with bare legs – you want to look enticing without being over the top.

3) Rain Boots
Too many view rain boots as an elementary luxury that one must cast aside the moment their age reaches the double-digits. Nonsense! Sure, you can forgo the kitschy, overly-cute prints if they appear too immature to your tastes; but there is no reason to condemn yourself to a life sans puddle jumping simply because you don’t own a pair of rain boots. Wellies are one of the simple indulgences in life that can most certainly make you feel elegant, so long as you choose a pair that is understated yet irresistible; enter the  Original Hunter Wellington Rain Boot. Be it rain, sleet, or snow, like the Postman, nothing stops a rain boot from contributing a fun finesse to a look, and ensuring that your feet stay warm and dry no matter the weather. Stick to a navy, black, or green hue for a more cultured, cosmopolitan look; or, if you’re truly a daring diva, splurge on a color a little more playful, like violet or lava.

Tip: Don’t reserve rain boots solely for downpours – slip them on even when the sun is shining; they look amazing with skinny jeans!

4) Suede Slouch Boots
There is no one better to blame than Brigitte Bardot and her effortless beauty for the desire that every woman feels to add a bit of Bohemian grandiose to her look, and suede slouch boots have the power to do so in a very classy, comfortable way. If we learned anything from Dsquared2’s Fall 2009 runway show, it is that women want to look hoity-toity with a few dashes of slump; thus, keep things up top streamlined via tailored blazers and bandage skirts, then finish off your look with a slouchy suede boot like Steve Madden’s Bonanza. The two differing silhouettes juxtapose against one another in the most mind-blowing of ways, and add a splash of whimsy to your style.

Tip: Make sure that you buy boots that don’t slouch too much – you want the shaft to stay up nicely even when worn with bare legs. Too much slouch will make the boots in question puddle around your ankle; precisely what you don’t want.

5) 2-in-1
In this time of recession, I find myself searching for more convertible pieces with a chameleon-like ability to take on multiple looks in order to save myself money. Luckily, there are many forms of winter footwear that cater to this way of thinking. Urban Outfitters’ Equestrian Rainboot or Michael Kors’ Stormy Rain Boots make it simple to get rain repellent equestrian style, while Free People’s Convertible Over the Knee Boot gives you the slouchy suede style, with the option of wearing the shoe over the knee, or at a lower height. It’s an easy way to bulk up your boot collection without going broke!

Tip: In addition to saving money, 2-in-1s also free up closet space, and what girl doesn’t love that?!
Remember ladies, just because it’s in style doesn’t mean that it’s your style. Choose the one that works for you to guarantee optimal comfort, confidence, and glamour.

-Guest Blogger: Erika (Café Fashionista)