If you live anywhere where it snows incessantly, you'll know that there are specific boots you can wear in the fall and specific ones to wear in the winter. The second part of this series will focus on boots that are perfect for fall...whether it's sunny, raining, windy, or cloudy!

All of the shoes featured are my personal picks and do not necessarily reflect current trends. These are just boots that I'm lusting over and hopefully ones that you guys like as well :)

I think boots are one of the easiest kinds of shoes to wear. If you're looking for a little extra height, heeled boots can be a more comfortable option compared to stilettos. (Of course, this has limitations depending on what kind of occasion you want the heels for.)


[1] Gentle Souls Suede Moto Booties in Dark Taupe[2] Stuart Weitzman High Street Over the Knee Boots[3] Sam Edelman Cammie Ankle Boot[4] Dolce Vita Hanover Fringe Booties[5] Marc by Marc Jacobs Montague Booties[6] Kate Spade Tracee Bow Bootie

Starting from #1, a low heeled suede boot can add a gentle and soft texture to a rougher, edgier outfit or be a perfect companion to a boho look. Next, over-the-knee boots are a must have! They are so sexy paired with a skirt or dress and you can opt for a flat pair versus a heeled one. Third, I never got over the track sole trend. I think there's something very masculine AND feminine about it at the same time. I'd recommend looking for this kind of sole if you live in places with a lot of snow because it'll help you trek through it much easier.

Moving on! We have another suede bootie but this one has a skinny heel and fringe! Yes, fringe. Okay so you'll either be totally obsessed or totally grossed out. I think fringe is cute on shoes when done properly and the stiletto makes this pair less cowboy-ish than most. Next we have a bold, red combat boot...gorgeous and unique. You can pair it with an all-black ensemble or with your cozy sweater and leggings combo. Last but not least...for all the cutesy, girly girls out there, I think this black chunky bootie with the leather bow is just beautiful. Very feminine but chic. A subtle way to incorporate a girly element to any outfit.


There you have it. I hope you enjoyed this! Leave it down below and tell me what you're go-to fall boots are! Or send me a Tweet about how you would style any of those boots :)


Bye for now,
Jenn

As with most items that I purchase, I like to thoroughly check that it's in perfect condition. After all, I'm handing over my money with the expectation that this product isn't damaged so of course, I need to pay extra attention before I bring it home.

When it comes to shoes, I seem to go over the top in playing Inspector. Although shoes will get busted and worn over time, I like to make sure that there are no defects and that these shoes will actually last me. So what do I look for when I shop for shoes?


COMFORTNo matter how good a shoe looks and how close it is to what I'm searching for, I always have to consider its comfort. For me, a shoe is useless if I can't wear it for more than an hour. I need to at least be able to walk in it without wanting to change out of it. (The only exception I have for this is heels but let's dive into that later). With comfort as my priority, I'll check to see if there are any stitches that rub against my foot the wrong way. Next, I'll look at the cushioning. Not all comfortable shoes need to have a cushion but I give it extra brownie points if it does. Then I'll see if the front of the shoe is too narrow or wide. You want the shoe to look flattering but if it's too narrow, your toes will pinch together and if it's too wide, your feet will look bigger than they actually are. Finally, I'll look to see if the sides of the shoe are rubbing under my ankles the wrong way. This is a personal issue. There are a lot of flats and heels that fall right under my ankle bone and it just hurts when I walk. I will also check to make sure the back of the shoe doesn't rub because I am not about that blister life.


MATERIALAfter that, I have to consider how it's made. The one thing I can't stand is buying specifically boots that are glued down to the sole. If you've ever bought a cheap pair of boots, you'll know what I'm talking about. There's a thin film of glue holding everything together and I just can't trust that it'll hold up to New England weather. My favorite and personal preference is when you can see a stitching around the shoe and the sole. I feel that it's more secure and less likely to open up after a couple of wears. In my experience, these kinds of boots have lasted me the longest. For other shoes like sandals, I look at what it's made out of. For sneakers, my main priority is if it feels stiff or not. Depending on the material, some sneakers can feel very suffocating so I try to avoid that.

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SOLELastly, I will check the sole. A lot of shoes are made with a very smooth and slippery-feeling sole. While it adds a very sleek and luxurious look to the shoe, it's highly impractical for walking on smooth floors. I don't know about you but I certainly don't want to fall on my butt like that. Even though they have those grip things you can stick to the bottom, it just isn't the same as having a sole with some traction to it. I'm partial to rubber soles because they don't slip and it's okay to wear when it rains or snows outside.

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EXCEPTIONSLike I mentioned, heels can be an exception to an extent. I still highly value a shoe that has comfort but if I can't wear it for over an hour, it's okay as long as it doesn't rub against my foot the wrong way. I only ever wear heels for formal events and because it's not an everyday shoe for me, I don't consider how long I can actually wear them for. If I do need to wear a heel for a longer period of time, I'll find a wedge heel. There's more stability and it's still classy. After that, pretty much everything else applies. The material has to be nice (preferably leather) and the soles can't be slippery. I mean, high heels + slippery sole is just asking for a disaster.


Those are all my tips for buying shoes! What are some of your tips and tricks? Is there anything you absolutely must have in a shoe before buying it?!