Sorry to report, East Coasters, but your perfect autumnal weather is about to come to an end: a Nor’easter lies ahead.
This weekend, a wet-and-windy storm event is expected to develop—bringing our first heavy sprinkling of snow (and rain) to this year’s pleasant transitional season. (So long, easy-breezy summer days—we miss you already.) The looming prospect of treacherous weather means that it’s officially prime time to bust out your favorite winter coats, cozy scarves, and. . . we hate to say it, practical shoes. Groan.
Is there anything more of a fashion buzzkill than needing to wear pragmatic footwear? You can wear the cutest outfit known to mankind, and your clunky, rubber-soled winter boots will instantly ruin the vibe. Why must most winter boots be so hideous? Why are they always so big and bulky? So overpowering? Surely, I can trek through the snow without having to wear the shoe equivalent of a monster truck!
Historically, this style conundrum has led me to forgo winter boots altogether: You can often find me stubbornly walking through a blizzard in my trusty sneakers or loafers—my socks instantly soaked, my toes frozen. But with a serious snowstorm impending, the annual quest to find actually-cute winter boots has begun, and taken on more urgency than ever. I simply can’t go on like this. And who better to ask for advice than some of my fellow Vogue colleagues?
“Like it says in the name of these Le Monde Beryl boots, I’m looking to larp a scenic trip to the Dolomites to ignore the reality of slapping my cold toes down into a puddle of slush outside Fulton Street Station. The rubber treads and lace-up silhouette at least get me half of the way there.” — Alexandra Hildreth, fashion news writer.
Dolomite boot
“Regardless of what anyone says, I love my Moon Boots. As a former ski instructor, I’ve had a pair of moon boots since before I could remember. They’re the best shoes to put on because their slightly oversized fit prevents you from putting too much pressure on your feet after a long day of skiing. My moon boots also got me through the many a snowstorm last year. While everyone else was slipping and sliding on the snowy streets, I was the last woman standing! Also, I love how you can tuck your pants into the boots, so that you don’t have to worry about your pant hems getting wet or dirty.” — Irene Kim, editorial production manager.
Moon Boot
low nylon boots
“After the Snowmaggedon we experienced last winter in New York, I’m on the hunt for a waterproof boot with a tall shaft. There’s nothing worse than icy slush seeping in at the laces. Turn up the fleecy cuffs on these LL Bean boots, and that’s a non-issue.” — Nicole Phelps, global fashion news and features director.
L.L. Bean
rugged winter Wellie boot
“My winter boots are an extension of my Scandiphilia. I fell for Penelope Chilvers’s incredible boots, which felt familiar because they are closely inspired by those of the Sámi, the Indigenous people of Scandinavia, who traditionally herded reindeer in Lapland. I have the white ones.” — Laird Borrelli-Persson, senior archive editor.
Penelope Chilvers
Incredible boot
“As someone who has historically always been anti-winter boot (you can find me trekking through the snow in, like, sneakers), if I’m going to actually wear a pair, they’re going to be a full-on moment. I love the winter boots that Manitobah Mukluks makes. Better yet, they often collaborate with Indigenous artists on exclusive styles.” — Christian Allaire, senior fashion and style writer.
Manitobah
ankle mukluk
“You can’t go wrong with something black, smooth, streamlined, and functional. The two that come to mind are the classic Doc Martens Chelsea boot. And then the luxe upgrade is from The Row. They’re unassuming, elegant, versatile—anything but ugly!” — Max Berlinger, senior fashion news editor.
“The skier in me is obsessed with these Bottega Veneta padded ankle boots.” — Talia Abbas, commerce director.
Bottega Veneta
padded ankle boot
