Where to find your winter shoes

Shoes glorious shoes – the hardest working piece in our wardrobes (minus our bras maybe) they quite literally carry our ‘souls’ (soles I know really) but given much less time and consideration compared to our beloved clothing. Shoes can make or break an outfit. They have a big job! Winter boots and shoes are also at the top of my list for my most FAQs… ‘OMG Sian, I love this outfit but what shoes do I wear with this?’

With my guidance by the end of each season, people nail their footwear but as soon as the season changes again all hell breaks loose. Now it’s legitimately cold there’s pretty much only one answer here, winter boots however there as these pesky Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties that keep popping up and they need faaaaaaancy heels. Also, we can’t ignore our faithful trainers during the cold months, sometimes all an outfit needs is a bloomin’ marvelous trainer.

My Top tips with wearing boots

If you have black boots there needs to be something else black in your outfit to balance out the high contrast of the black boot… Black is a dramatic colour and needs to be evened out with another equally intense colour or black so that it doesn’t throw off the outfit…

How do you do that and what do you mean?!

• Sometimes it’s hard to work out why an outfits not working because essentially a black boot will work with everything BUT it can throw off an outfit by being TOO intense. If this happens, it could be as small as some black in a print (we all know I’m anti black clothing unless it falls in your colour palette)

• A simple way to make sure your legs aren’t cut off by awkward boot lengths is to wear the same colour bottoms as your boots. For example, a black bottom and boot, or a brown bottom and boot (you get the gist!) Then hello legs for days.

• Another way of keeping balance in your outfit is instead of wearing thick black tights, especially if your outfit has little of minimal black in, is to wear printed tights. This immediately breaks up the intensity of the tights and boots and creates harmony between the two. Check out my blog from last week to find out my faves here.

Where do I find my winter boots and shoes?

This could be a full time job, Im not even joking! I have scoured my personal fave places to buy shoes from both the high street and designer boutiques and have placed them all in one moodboard for you here. I have broken it down to black winter boots, knee length boots, printed and colourful options, brown boots, trainers as well as the dreaded winter heels. There will be winter shoe options for everyone.

My top rated black boots for every day

Black boots…. The elite of the winter boot. You can dress them up, dress them down and they will keep your feet warm and stay comfy (sometimes after being worn in but no pain no gain right?) Stick to my tips above for styling them and you will be good to go for the next few winters.

One thing to note is that leather will last longer and cope better with winter weather compared to suede. I personally prefer the look of suede boots, I think they have a bit more to them but it comes down to what you need and prefer. I say get a leather and a suede… haha. But if you are running about in the park with your children, you want leather all the way. Id say leather by day, suede by night. If you don’t have littles ones, the world is your oyster. Check my top rated here.

My fave knee length boots and when to wear them

Lots of people don’t think they can pull knee-length boots off, well let me stop you right there, the only person who says you can’t is you and I disagree and say you absolutely can and you must. In terms of practicality and versatility, knee boots are as warm as you can get and you can wear them under trousers, culottes, maxi skirts and dresses as well as with a gorge mini, shorts, skinny jeans, and playsuits. So also an ace cost per wear. Check out my faves here

Printed, textured colourful boots and how to style them

Everyone knows I am the no1 fan of a metallic shoe. Metallics are neutrals which means they can be worn with any colour, print or pattern and metallics are my version of a contemporary neutral meaning they are way trendier than a black, brown, navy or grey boot. Plus the add that little something extra to an outfit that really elevates the look.

I love a printed or textured boot too. They are a great gateway into experimenting with a new boot style if you aren’t quite ready to go full metallic yet. They are softer than a black boot so better to wear with any colour so the balance of the outfit stays equal.

I say go big or go home but again, it’s all down to you. Check out my top rated here.

Brown boots for a softer and more casual look

Confession - I do struggle a little with brown boots, but I think it’s because Im not a massive fan of brown. However, these are my top rated brown boots and I would actually wear them all. Careful with pairing them with black because brown is a much warmer colour so the contrast can be a bit jarring. I would wear brown with any colour, denim, printed pieces or if you wanted black tights (because I think colourful tights suck… there I said it) make sure you wear printed options. I also say that brown boots are much harder to dress up so keep them for the weekend and daytime vibes.

Trainers for winter style

My love for trainers (particularly shiny ones) is no secret. I went to my friends 30th in my fave dress, printed tights and glittery converse last weekend and actually, I felt just as dressed up as everyone else (oh and I danced all night without killing my feet… result) I wear trainers at least 4 times a week. Again, there is nothing they won’t work with so I recommend having a classic white pair that are a tad smarter so you can wear for dress down Friday vibes, a printed or textured pair to push your weekend casual look a bit further and a metallic (what a surprise) for disco dancing and brunching with your gals. Check out my top picks here

Winter heels for going out out

Finally, the dreaded heel, the most desirable and beautiful to look at but on the flip side, the most painful, spenny, and less versatile. My top tips for heels are;

·       Keep the heel wide for safety (LOL)

·       Platforms are great for height and comfort

·       Buy with a bit of wriggle room because our feet swell and grow in heels (yep gross I know)

·       Go for metallic so they work with loads on your wardrobe.

·       Don’t be afraid to spend a bit more because they will be comfier

·       Practise walking in them – hoovering in heels is how I make sure I can still walk in heels (particularly before weddings actually)

·       Options with toes covered means you can wear them all year

·       If you wear toes out in winter – don’t wear black tights please

If you take anything away from this – make sure you can walk in them because nothing ruins a beautiful outfit more than not being able to walk in them! Enjoy going out out this Christmas though – you deserve it. Check out whats on my list here

Stay safe, get in touch if you’d like any more tips for buying winter shoes,

Stylish wishes as always,

Sian x

Personal Stylist based in London. I am a colour analysis expert, wardrobe stylist, and personal shopper. I specialise in body shape style, wardrobe edits, and personal shopping for clients. I am also a virtual stylist. I do online styling, online style advice, virtual body shape workshops, virtual wardrobe edits and online personal shopping. Fashion Stylist in London. Personal Stylist in London. London stylist.