As any woman who has worn heels for hours on end knows, soles reach a breaking point. And last weekend as we made our way down the city streets as the Halloween festivities came to a close, my sister and I could not take another step in our heels.
I set out on a mission this week to find the most comfortable, fashionable and affordable fall and winter boots to share with you. Over-the-Knee, flats, slouchy, rubber and biker boots are all in style. And don't forget booties and faux fur embellished boots. There is a style for everyone this season.
If you're going to invest in a pair of boots, decide if you usually wear black or do you stick to neutral tones? In that case, go with a brown pair. If you plan on wearing them often with tights and jeans throughout winter, stick to boots without a heel so you can walk in them all day. I stopped into TJ Maxx and saw shelves of designer boots at more than 50 percent off the retail price. Stores like H&M and Forever 21 also have all of this season's hot footwear trends.
The most comfortable pair I've ever owned is a pair of black, leather over-the-knee Franco Sarto boots. They offer a big selection of all styles and Report Footwear makes super stylish affordable boots if you're looking for slouchy boots or a pair of trendy thigh highs with a heel. Both can be found at stores like Macy's, Nordstroms and online. If you prefer online shopping, try Zappos.com which offers free shipping both ways.
Wellington boots, or Wellies, are a great choice for kids, teens and anyone who hates hopping over puddles on rainy days. Yep, rubber boots are in nearly every store and you can choose from a neutral forest green color, a bright pink design or a variety of patterns from zebra to zig zag print.
Guys can get in on the boot action too. American Eagle has a big selection of fall and winter footwear including a Trek Boot on sale for less than . Or for a stylish and casual pair, try Timberlands in the classic Wheat Nubuck shade.
Before you buy boots, try them both on and walk around the shoe section. If you're already noticing your big toe is aching or your heels are headed into a blizzard of blisters, slip them off and continue the search. And if you find footwear you just can't live without despite the pain, like a five inch black suede bootie, then perhaps it's time to visit the doctor. Yep, Dr. Scholl's is always accepting new patients in the foot care section of your local drugstore. You'd be surprised how many effective insoles and inserts are on the market. Massaging gel insoles on a cold winter day sounds like my cup of tea. This solution with also come in handy for the next battle of the boots.
