Meg: A Guide to Boots

I truly don’t remember what I wore on my feet during the winter months before I owned boots.  They have been a solid staple in my closet for the past 5 years or so and I can’t imagine bearing the cold weather without them. Last year Tucson dipped into the low 20 degree range (which is craycray for us), and suddenly we became aware of the importance of the phrase “fashion + function” as people scrambled to throw on the warmest boots they owned.

Even during the not-so-freezing fall months, boots can serve as a reminder of the upcoming season. Crisp air, a chunky knit sweater, skinny jeans, and riding boots…ahhhhh. This season, I really want to step outside of the box and try some new styles.

Here’s a general guide to my favorite boot styles and styles I’m dying to try, and what I’d pair them with:

Riding Boots: I was never an Ugg girl, and the one year I decided to try them out Kyle accidently ordered me toddler size 7’s…aka it wasn’t meant to be. Since then, I’ve rocked the standard riding boot.

Riding boots

Wellies: I do have one pair of rain boots, though they don’t see much action! I’m dying to get another pair of wellies, though. I think Gina and I both have our hearts set on some Hunter boots. They are just so insanely cute.

                                                                                                

Rain boots

Ankle Boots: This is a style I have typically shied away from because of my “muscular build” (read buff calves). I recently some Oxford style ankle boots however and I’m excited to see how they look!

Ankle boots

Combat boots: These are a new-to-me infatuation. I do not have a pair yet, but I think they look so cozy! With a slouchy off the shoulder sweater, skinny corduroys, and a beanie…I die.

Combat boots

 

Do you love boots as much as I do?! What is your favorite outfit to wear them with?

 

Xo Meg

Post Navigation:

41 Comments

  1. Erica { EricaDHouse.com } on October 17, 2012 at 10:01 pm

    I think I’m finally ready to embrace the ankle boot trend this year! I always swore them off but they suddenly look so adorable to me!

    • Fitnessista on October 18, 2012 at 12:43 am

      if you create a cute outfit with them, send me a pic! i have a pair and have no clue how to wear them

  2. Kate @KateMovingForward on October 17, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    I actually love riding or combat boots with a dress and belted cardigan! Girly but with some grit! 😀

    • Lexie on October 17, 2012 at 10:17 pm

      Same here! I have black, studded combat boots that I love wearing with little feminine dresses.

  3. Emily on October 17, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    Be careful of combat boots with muscular calves– I know on me they look bad because they hide the only thin part of my leg (my ankle). Riding boots and slouchy mid-calf boots are the ones I find the most flattering for muscular calves like my own.

    However, do you and wear what makes you feel most comfortable!

    • Fitnessista on October 18, 2012 at 12:40 am

      i could not rock the combat boots. it bums me out because they’re super cute!

      • Emily on October 18, 2012 at 9:21 am

        i know! i love them “on paper”, but when i bought a pair my boyfriend goes, “those are…. intense.” ha!

  4. Jess on October 17, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    Love boots too! I have some flat just above the ankle boots that are my fave, they are slouchy. I always think boots are slimming!

  5. Jacqueline on October 17, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    I have a pair of riding-ish boots (they’re a little slouchier) that I wore pretty much all of last winter. I, too, don’t know how I’ve survived without them in my wardrobe! I get compliments on them all the time 🙂
    Where are those combat boots pictured from? I like the cognac color and how the oxford details keep them kind of feminine!

  6. Laura on October 17, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    I love love love boots! I am like you-what did I used to wear in the winter. I own 8 pairs of boots including 3 uggs. I thought I would never wear uggs and got a pair before a trip to ski out west and now I don’t know how I lived without them (oh and I live in Alabama so it isn’t freezing all the time but cold in winter) they are so comfy worm and easy to throw on. I love to wear boots with dresses, jeans, leggings, and skirts they are my fav!

  7. Shaina Anderson on October 17, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    I LOVE my Hunter Wellies!! I have a pair of orange ones that I like to wear (rain or shine haha) with some lululemon wunder unders, a long layering tank (lulu cool racerback usually), a baggy knit sweater/cardigan and a mug of hot tea in my hands 🙂

  8. Maria on October 17, 2012 at 10:41 pm

    I’m a short girl (4’11”) with very muscular calves, so finding boots for me is almost as frustrating as bathing suit shopping. I do think that a good pair of riding boots though will always be in style, so I’m not giving up yet on finding a great pair that fits my unique little legs 🙂

    • Emily on October 18, 2012 at 9:22 am

      I have found some good ones on Etsy! I have calves that are 15” in diameter, and used to be 16”. The best boots I have are slouchy mid-calf boots that are slimming, comfortable, and not squeezing my calves to death. Good luck! I feel your pain!

  9. Yaara on October 17, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    I’m a shortie too–also 4 ft. 11 in.–so finding boots is tough. But I loove them. Fryes are my fave. I love classic riding and funky cowgirl style.

  10. Christine @ BookishlyB on October 17, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    I’m desperately trying to find a good pair that I can wear under jeans; I feel like so many boots are wider around the calf now, since they’re meant for skinny jeans. Frustrating!

    • Lindsay on October 18, 2012 at 9:53 am

      I have the same frustration! I went through 5 pairs of boots (purchased, then returned) last year because they were just too wide.

  11. Carly on October 17, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    Where oh where can I find that umbrella with the hearts?! I live in Vancouver, BC Canada and we get a TON of rain here, I could really use an adorable umbrella like that! 😉

    • Meg on October 18, 2012 at 12:56 am

      All of the clothing was found on Modcloth.com 🙂

      • Carly on October 18, 2012 at 11:15 pm

        Thanks!! 🙂

  12. Tara @ Sweat like a Pig on October 18, 2012 at 3:09 am

    I need to clarify something… Uggs are not meant to be worn as shoes!! I’m Australian and it blows my mind to see how many Americans/Europeans wear them around like regular boots. In Australia, they are slippers you wear around the house. I always chuckle when I see someone trying to be stylish in their house slippers.

    • Vicki on October 18, 2012 at 5:59 am

      Haha, I agree!

      Also, I feel the same about wellies. Being from England, wellies are designed for walking the dog through muddy fields in the rain and camping. If you wore a pair of wellies out and about here to be stylish you would get laughed at!

      Wellies are not made to be cute, they are made to be covered in mud. 😀

    • Emily on October 18, 2012 at 9:23 am

      This explains a lot.

    • Laura on October 18, 2012 at 2:00 pm

      I understand that but they will always be shoes to me! Since they have bottoms that are hard so they work for shoes and look cute with skinny jeans and a casual top. I get cold and they keep my feet warm!

    • mary on October 18, 2012 at 6:28 pm

      Seriously, people spend $200+ on house slippers?? lol

      • Laura on October 18, 2012 at 10:42 pm

        Well I guess every country and even area of the country has their own style and things other people wouldn’t do. I know that if I go up north my style isn’t the same and I don’t love thier style and that is in the same country. So to each their own. Thats the way we find our own style inspirations.

      • An on October 20, 2012 at 3:37 am

        I’m another Aussie who couldn’t get their head around the hefty price-tag of uggies overseas when they became trendy in London a few years ago – suddenly everyone was strutting around Notting Hill in footwear that us Aussies wouldn’t be seen dead in out in public. Same goes for Hunters – Glastonbury made them trendy I guess but unless they’re covered in mud seems a bit of a waster of the material used to make them.

  13. Joy on October 18, 2012 at 4:46 am

    Try paddock boots! They’re similar to combat boots but just awesome! Could be the rider in me but I can’t imagine a closet without them they are comfy times 1000

  14. Blog is the New Black on October 18, 2012 at 5:39 am

    I’ve been looking at riding boots and trying to find something to invest in….

    • Meg on October 19, 2012 at 7:38 pm

      My fave boots have all been from forever 21 and cost no more than $40!

  15. Jas on October 18, 2012 at 6:02 am

    This is a great post, thank you! However, it would be helpful if you included info about where all the items are from…

    • Meg on October 19, 2012 at 7:40 pm

      Really all of the clothing is from Modcloth.com!

  16. Mallory on October 18, 2012 at 8:03 am

    I LOVE boots!! I’m from Nova Scotia and it’s very cold and snowy. The second the temp goes below 10 I’m pulling out my boots! I always wear them with boot socks for the extra warmth. They make any boots warm and cozy without being Uggs.

  17. Natalie @ FreshLifeFindings on October 18, 2012 at 8:24 am

    I love fall boots! I’m so excited to pull my riding boots out of the closet. I like a camel color the best because it can go with brown or black. But those Hunter rain boots are super cute!

  18. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on October 18, 2012 at 8:29 am

    I love riding boots! I’m a fan of wearing mine with leggings, a slouchy cardigan and a scarf!

  19. Suzanne on October 18, 2012 at 9:03 am

    I am a total boot girl. Can’t get enough! But I haven’t tried the riding boot yet. This may be the year. 🙂
    I love how you put together those outfits. Could you tell us where you got each item of clothing/accessory?

    Thanks! 🙂

    • Meg on October 19, 2012 at 7:47 pm

      Modcloth.com 🙂

  20. Lindsay on October 18, 2012 at 9:56 am

    Meg, what ankle boots are those? I’ve never been sure if I could pull off that look, but those in particular are very cute.

  21. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com on October 18, 2012 at 10:58 am

    LOVE those combat boots. So chic!

  22. Staci on October 18, 2012 at 12:34 pm

    I have the same “muscular calf” problem, i really want to try some ankle booties but they have to be cut just perfect otherwise, it will look like i have tree stumps for legs 🙁
    The riding boot I just purchased this season is the Vince Camuto studded riding boot and its actually on sale right now 🙂 I can’t wait to get them !!
    http://www.6pm.com/product/8026447/color/72981

  23. Sarabell on October 18, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    My standard (pre-pregnancy) winter outfit was always a dress, tights, boots, and some kind of sweater/cardigan/jacket/coat.
    This year I have a feeling I’ll be in pants a lot more often, but we’ll see!

  24. Brittany on October 21, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    My favorite outfit to wear boots with is a pair of dark jeans, with a cozy sweater. Black boots prefered but brown works too! I also LOVE to wear boots with dresses and skirts. I live in Boston and it is not unusual for the temperature to drop into the low teens so boots are a MUST in my closet!

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.