Made For Mondays: Tips on buying boots & shoes for winter.

{Dan} So I am not really a shoe person. I don’t have rows and rows of shoes. To be honest, I would prefer not to wear shoes at all if I didn't have to.

I recently gave my wardrobe a much needed clean out. And while I proclaim to not be a shoe person (I honestly am not) I had a pile of shoes that almost covered the floor of the wardrobe.

Most of them I haven’t worn in a few years but I didn’t want to throw them out or give them away. There were heels from my corporate days, cowboy boots that were in style about 6 years ago, sandals with broken straps, shoes that I bought coz I thought they were cool and I never wore. Oh and wedding heels which have been worn for about a total of 2 hrs because I got married on the beach with no shoes on but thought it polite to wear shoes in the restaurant :) (you can’t throw away your wedding heels can you?)

Anyway, I need some new shoes for winter and I thought I should check with Flick on what I should get. Considering my now current collection consists of 2 pairs of TOMS (which I can’t live without - I suggest you check out their story here and they are great for kids too). 1 pair of ballet flats which are TOMS too and a couple of pairs of running shoes (no I don’t run either) and a pair of Havaiana’s and sandals. That’s it!!

I wanted practicality because that fits in my lifestyle at the moment, I don’t really have much need for a nice heel unless I go out and lets face it, that is few and far between at the moment. ha ha!!

So Flick has put together some shoe ideas for us all. Boots and flats were mostly on my radar because I wear a lot of jeans (hmmmm that’s another whole post on it’s own) and dresses this time of year. My issue with boots is that I never know what length to get either. Anyway, I hope this helps you out too if you are in the market for some new winter shoes.

{Flick} So when it comes to the most flattering length of boot to purchase this winter always go for knee length. There are some beautiful mid length boots about but unless you have legs that would give Elle Macpherson a run for her money, they are only going to make your legs look short.

What you want to achieve is nice long lines, so by the boot finishing at the knee it creates a longer line and gives the illusion of longer legs!!

Knee Length helps give the illusion of longer legs compared to the mid length boots on the right.

Boots Left: Tony Bianco $239.95 / Right: Witchery $299.95

*STYLE NOTE – If you are wanting longevity from your boots, opt for a more classic style that wont date after a season or 2.

Patterned flats/sneakers are EVERYWHERE this season and are the easiest way to be comfy but still say – ‘These old things, pffft just something I threw on’. The trick is to keep the rest simple. You want to look effortlessly stylish, not like you have been up since 5am, had three coffees and got dressed in the dark, running out the door ha ha.

This Country Road ensemble is the perfect example.

Available from Country Road

Left to Right: Tony Bianco $139.95, Bensimon $90.00, Hunter $135, Seed $129.95, Jo Mercer $49.95

The dressy flats are my favourite this season. For one thing they are the perfect mix of comfort, luxe and style. Team these bad boys with a pair of skinny jeans and a patterned shirt and you’ve earned yourself serious style points or step into the office wearing these with a pencil skirt, stockings and a fine knit. You really can't go wrong.