Here in New York we need to wear boots for at least 6 months. Yes, that long! And one thing we know for sure about this pandemic is that we want comfort. As a matter of fact, lately I've seen so many women saying that they will give up on wearing high heels forever.

*Did you know? Women in NY used to call high heels “limo shoes” since they could wear them only when they leave home by car and will be seated the entire time. Truth be told: women don’t need them!

Until years ago, if we were looking for stylish shoes, we could find either super high heels or flat shoes. It was very difficult to find something fashionable in between.

Now we can find very stylish boots and shoes in general with low heels, blocked heels or kitten heels. And we have learned that we can feel equally gorgeous wearing any of them.

A thing that I have noticed my clients doing is really donating or selling the shoes that don’t make them happy. Sometimes, they can be expensive or from a famous designer, but it doesn’t mean they were made for our feet. It's like clothing, there is nothing wrong with you, it's just impossible for a pair of shoes to be considered comfortable by everyone.

So I wrote down some tips to help you buy the perfect pair of boots for you. Here you are:

• Always consider which type of socks you like to wear and try on the boots with your favorite pair of socks on.

• If you really have a hard time finding comfortable shoes in general, give a chance to brands that make “comfort shoes”. They are really improving their style. I'm going to give some examples on the photos. Not to mention that sneakers are better than ever, and they are acceptable in many work environments.

• Don’t assume that you will be a size 8 forever. Our feet change during our lifetime. Chances are that you will not wear the same size in your 20’s or 50’s. Some women say that their feet grow after having a baby. That’s also one of the reasons women start complaining about shoes. Always try a half and a full size bigger to see the difference.
  
  

• The best time of the day to try on boots or any shoes is at the end of the day, when your feet should be, at least, a bit swollen.
  
  

• If you are at a store, don’t feel pressurized to decide quickly. Walk a lot. It's always good when they have hard floors, not only carpets. If you bought online, even better. Take your time and try them on more than once, with different outfits. It makes it easier to decide whether it was a good purchase or not. This is one of the reasons why I love to buy online as well as help my clients with online personal shopping.
  
  

• If you feel some discomfort when trying on boots (or any shoes), it's better to give up on that style. It will probably get worse. Yes, shoes can break in, but it's not worth it if you are already feeling discomfort during the first few minutes.
  
  

• If you have wide feet, it might be good for you to choose boots that have this option, like Stuart Weitzman does. Usually those with narrow feet have more trouble buying sandals.

• If you have wider calves, knee-high boots might be an issue for you. That is not necessarily related to your clothes size. I have a client that is size 0 or 2, and she needs boots with calf extension. Remember, we are all different and there is nothing wrong with it. We just need to find a style that fits us perfectly.

• If you live in the East Coast, you need warm and water resistant boots. When Spring arrives, it's always good to send your boots to be cleaned. The salt thrown on the sidewalks because of snow storms can damage the leather. Don’t wait until the following winter arrives to send it to the cobbler, after all these months, you can end up finding a big stain that will be hard to get removed.

• Shoes have the power to change and modernize clothes that we have in our wardrobes for a long time. The same thing happens with boots. For many seasons, the ankle boots were trendy, and the knee-high boots were a bit forgotten. Until last year, when they came back, together with other classic styles. Now, you can find boots in all kinds of heels, pointed or squared toes, and in different colors and prints.

Bear in mind that shoes tell a lot about our personal style and it is a great way of having some fun getting dressed during the winter!

For some inspiration, check out the boards with different options of boots. They have different price points, but be aware that many stores have already started offering Black Friday deals. Now might be a good opportunity to invest in a high quality pair of boots. Check my post about Chelsea boots here if you want to plan for Spring.

Is your closet ready for the winter? Let me know if you have any questions about Winter fashion. Book NOW a free discovery call to discuss your wardrobe needs!

PS: Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for the latest trends and amazing styling tips!

Disclosure: Keep in mind that I link products and companies based on their quality, my personal opinion, my experience and professional expertise. Some of the links in my posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a small commission. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.