I realize that this post is going to look like it missed the theme by about a week, but when I think about weather, my mind naturally turns to shoes. This isn't terribly meaningful-- when I think about most things my mind turns to shoes. You know that saying about how when the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail? Well, if I had a nail, I would hit it with a shoe.
(When I say "shoes," I mean Shoes. In my mind,if you're going to be obsessed with something, it might as well be the good stuff. Go big or go home.**)
And of all the elements of an outfit, your shoes are the thing that comes in the most direct contact with the weather. Because, let's face it, you can cover up, wrap up and shelter up, but unless you have mastered the art of having people carry you around in a sedan chair*, at some point you are going to have to walk on the ground, which may be wet.
There are people who insist that, in order for a shoe to be considered truly fancy, it must be completely impractical. These people are absolutely right. But the plain fact of the matter is that it is a lot easier to be impractical in the summertime. I mean, you can try, but it's difficult to maintain an aura of ineffable cool with wet feet.
So we have winter shoes, and we accept that they are not going to reach the same level of awesomeness as we might otherwise, but we do not succumb to the temptation of dressing like children because it's gotten a little wet out. Right? Because I'm sure no one here would ever dream of appearing in public with their legs covered to the knees with little hearts and monkey faces. Yes? Good. Let us never talk of this again.
Instead, let's consider some more appropriate alternatives.*** We have your classic rain boot, of which Hunter makes the most iconic model, plus some variations. Honestly, if I didn't live in California, where it rains only a small part of the year, and everyone has cars anyway, I would totally find an excuse to splurge on these. Are they more than a little ridiculous? Well, uses. Do they totally rock? Damn straight.
But the problem with wellies, even awesome ones, is that they don't exactly function as independent shoes. You only wear them outside, which means you need another pair to wear inside, which means you have to have some way of carrying extra shoes and we don't have time to get into bags right now. So let's consider some regular shoes and boots that are nice enough for wearing, and also waterproof.
Weatherproof suede in a completely on-trend style? Yes, please.
Of course, if you really want some expertise applied to keeping your feet warm and dry, your best bet is to turn to the Canadians:
Speaking of trends, riding boots are one that seems to crop up on a regular enough basis that they never go totally out of style. These are made by a company out of Montreal, where I understand they are familiar with the concept of "weather."
On the other hand, not all of us require such serious firepower to get through the months with an 'r' in them.**** Sometimes, it's enough to just have something you can wear to step in the occasional puddle without ruining them:
And if the color scheme is a little on the summery side, so what? There are other options available, but I figure that if you're going to go as preppy as a Topsider boat shoe, you should go ahead and embrace it.
But you know what? I just can't stay away from the plastic shoes. Maybe it's because of the range of design options they allow, beyond what's possible in traditional materials. Maybe I just like things that are insane. Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the second one. Anyway, I think these would make you look like a British pop star from the sixties (or at least how I would imagine they looked-- that was somewhat before my time). And these? Well, you tell me:
Crazy, fun, or crazy fun?
I think we know what my answer is.
*And if you have, can we be friends?
**Or, some days, go big and then go home and soak your feet for an hour while whimpering softly.
***A brief word about the shoes I am going to be featuring here. Some of you may feel that I am not taking into account the needs of real people in these times of economic uncertainty by suggesting that it is a good idea to spend hundreds of dollars on footwear that looks to be actively insane, and that is certainly a valid point. On the other hand, you weren't about to go out and buy something because a random guest blogger recommended it, so why not have some fun? But the monkey thing is still wrong.
****Mostly we just require oysters. Or are those the months you aren't supposed to eat them?
A footnoted blog! I knew someone would do it ... thanks Daisy!
As a weather/shoe person, I find California offers no challenge. One could wear sandals all year, simply changing the weight of one's socks, but that would be as bad as the monkey face thing.
Posted by: Camille Minichino | November 18, 2010 at 02:03 PM
Thanks for having me!
I'm going to forget you said that, and go breathe into a paper bag now.
Posted by: Daisy | November 18, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Wow... those boots w/buckles are totally awesome. A splurge indeed!
Posted by: Ann | November 18, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Welcome to The LadyKillers, Daisy!
Traveling in Alaska I spent a week in wellies, and necessary they were, too. But they totally lacked all of those awesome studs and buckles. Little did I know what I was missing!
Posted by: Margaret Lucke | November 18, 2010 at 08:06 PM