So there may be hints of spring in the windows of Nordstrom, but that’s about the only place you’ll find it here in the inland Northwest. I’ve been especially grateful to my small but loyal fleet of insulated boots. In my favorite sherpa-lined pair, I feels as though I’m wearing leg warmers. Invisible, work-appropriate leg warmers.
This is my third winter in Spokane, and the first one for which I’ve had a fairly complete winter wardrobe. Don’t get me wrong: Wanderchic’s always got an eye open for cute additions. But I’ve come a long way from my first winter here, when I wore these cool but cheap biker boots in the snow. Just walking across campus, I soaked my socks.
I tend toward Keen and Merrell, and I’ve found ones that I can teach in (litmus test for any kind of expensive wardrobe purchase). I leave my beloved, kickin’ cowboy boots in the stable (er, musty closet) on days like today, when I need serious traction.
I’ll add to my list of Dream Boots the Winterbelle Peak waterproof boots (first photo, above) from merrell.com. This is the most feminine hiking-boot-inspired footwear I’ve ever seen. If I wanted to be a Kokanee Girl from the knees down and an English prof everywhere else (and trust me, I do), I could wear these with tights and a skirt. At least, one could in the Northwest.
I also like these Freisa boots from Merrell (second photo). They look warm, with just the right angle of polished slouch. Alas, they’re not waterproof (will WanderChic never learn?), so for now I’d park these in my office. Or wait until, like, May.
Recently I attended a friend’s artist talk in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. As we drifted through the gallery, I was also scoping out the fashion choices of this shiny, crunchy, listening-and-nodding pack in an off-season resort town. One of the artists wore leopard print UGG boots, which worked with her offbeat casual look.
I’ve never warmed to UGG boots. They seem like the footwear equivalent of sweat pants. Just because you can wear them to the grocery store doesn’t mean you should. Of course, not all UGGs are created equal. I found this palatable UGG Ramos boot (above) on FabSugar.
And maybe if I were not yet old enough to drive I might like the original UGG boot (young WanderChic would likely opt for pink glitter knockoffs that her grandmother bought for me at Kmart. But you get the idea).