Benefits
Why, when buying winter shoes, it is worth giving preference to models made of genuine leather, because boots made of leatherette in appearance can be no less spectacular?
Benefits
We list a number of advantages of leather shoes compared to shoes made of artificial leather:
Comfort
Genuine leather shoes eventually wear out, as if adjusting to the foot of a particular person. Leatherette shoes are not stretched, with such shoes it is much easier to fill corns.
Cost-effectiveness
Despite the fact that leather shoes are more expensive than shoes made from artificial materials, this price justifies itself. Genuine leather is a durable material. Genuine leather shoes tolerate a wide range of temperatures. With proper care and observance of “operating conditions”, genuine leather boots will serve you for more than one season, while leatherette shoes become unusable much earlier than leather. Leatherette boots are generally not recommended to be worn at temperatures below −20 ...− 25 degrees Celsius.
Hygiene
Legs in leather shoes practically do not sweat, because air exchange is maintained. Not every shoe made of artificial materials has a similar property.
Beautiful appearance
With proper care, leather boots will have a decent look throughout their life. Leatherette shoes lose their presentability pretty quickly.
Models
We list the most fashionable models of leather boots in recent and current seasons.
A very wide variety of models combines only the presence of a high shaft. Maxi length is the main trend. Main models:
On a flat (low) stroke with a high and wide shaft
A model of wide-legged boots that you can tuck into your trousers is called the Temder. Convenience and comfort are becoming more fashionable than ever. Such shoes can be combined with dresses and trousers;
With the highest and narrowest shafts and with decorative frequent lacing
This decoration gives elegance to winter shoes and looks trendy.
Knee high boots
The main, and sometimes the only, decor element of this model is the zipper. The extravagance of the style should be balanced by the simplicity of design. Such shoes are recommended to be worn with shortened outerwear; they can be perfectly combined with mini or tight trousers;
On a stiletto heel with a high, narrow shaft and a rounded toe.
The hairpin can be combined with a platform. The bootleg is sometimes decorated with lacing. Such shoes are not considered an element of everyday style; they can be called model, “on the way out”;
With a square or expanding / slightly tapering downward thick, rather massive heel and high leg.
Such shoes are presented in many winter collections of various designers. The height of the heel can be very different, but it should be comfortable on such a heel. Good shoe resistance is very handy for the winter season;
On a high platform
Wedges
A wedge heel can be seen both in models with a narrow shaft and a wide one (temder boots). The height of the shaft at the same time in all models is maximum. The wedge heels appears both in over the knee boots and boots with decorative lacing. In winter, a wedge heel is a great alternative to high heels, it allows you to look elegant and feminine, regardless of the weather;
High boots
Composed as if from two parts: bottom - shoe, top - boot;
Stocking boots
The length of such shoes can be like real stockings, and the clasp is sometimes located at the back. These shoes go well with short dresses and skirts - a good way to demonstrate the slenderness of the legs in the cold season. You can wear such shoes with midi-length clothing if the dress or skirt has a slit;
With an unusual in shape or material heel, such as wooden
Shoes with transparent heels can be seen not only at fashion shows. One of the latest fashion quirks is the heel, slightly shifted to the middle of the sole, which is why the heel visually hangs over it;
Patent leather.
In the style of glam-rock.
This style can be followed even in winter. Winter leather boots decorated with metal elements will help to match the chosen image;
With a narrow neat toe.
On ribbed, grooved soles.
Ribbed soles can be found on shoes with flat shoes and platform boots. This is the case when the weather dictates the style;
Bright colors, with a combination of different textures.
With fur trim.
Colors
In addition to traditional, always fashionable, black, designers offer shoe models of various shades of brown, chocolate, terracotta, beige and completely unusual shades of blue, green and purple for winter. Do not forget about the white color.
Increasingly, gray and silver metallic are used.
Extravagant prints for snake skin or the skin of other reptiles, tiger skin and other “animal” colors are becoming fashionable.
Modern technology and the imagination of designers provide us with the opportunity to see unusual interpretations of “animal” prints in completely unexpected colors: blue or burgundy.
Floral and wallpaper prints are also used.
In addition to the most relevant dark blue, blue, green and gray colors, the fashion for the current season is autumn - winter is brown-gray, bright mustard, brown-orange, pink-brown, warm red and pink-lilac.
Trendy colors are annually announced by Pantone Color Institute. Each color has its own unique name: “lush meadow”, “pottery clay”, “red aurora”, “dusty cedar”, “reckless” / “shocking”, etc.
The colors of the past seasons were “Marsala” (2015), “Rose Quartz” and pale lavender (“serenity”) (2016). The most fashionable color of 2017 is declared grassy green - a shade of "greens".
In shoe fashion in recent seasons, as never before, combinations of various colors and textures are actively used, which before that could be called incompatible, for example, the futuristic design of heels or, conversely, wooden heels with boots.
How to choose?
Choosing the style of winter leather boots, you should focus not only on your preferences and tastes, but also keep in mind the features of your own figure.
Models with a wide leg are the most versatile and non-binding option, unlike styles with a narrow leg, which should pay particular attention to owners of slender legs. To determine the model of shoes, you can come to the store with an adviser - a person whose opinion you trust.
Before going to the store, inspect your wardrobe: when buying winter boots, you should take into account whether the new thing will be combined with outer clothing, and suit the rest of the style.
When choosing winter boots, as well as when buying any other shoes, you need to consider their purpose: shoes "for every day" or "for going out".
You should not buy model shoes for everyday wear. This is not practical, and model shoes (including those with high thin heels or patent leather) are not designed for daily use.
Please note that patent leather shoes should not be worn at temperatures below −10 degrees Celsius. It deteriorates from dampness and exposure to direct sunlight.
When buying winter leather boots, you should pay attention to the fact that leather shoes are marked in a special way: this is a label that resembles the shape of the skin in shape.
Any winter boots before you need to try on.
For fitting, it is better to bring socks with which to wear winter shoes. Ordering from a catalog or an online store, without risking a mistake with the choice, you can only those models that you already wore.
The weather factor must be taken into account.
In shoes with thick soles it will be warmer, a grooved sole in ice will protect it from falling. When trying on, it is imperative to take into account how comfortable the shoes are, and you should not forget that leather shoes tend to wear out a little over time. A good option for winter shoes is a removable insole. This insole is easy to dry or replace if necessary. The insole should be soft enough, too hard can cause corns.
For everyday wear, an ideal option would be shoes with a low (4-5 cm) steady heel.
Stilettos are not recommended for longer than four hours a day. A high boot is the best choice for winter. The warmest thing will be in boots-boots, which cover not only the lower legs, but also the knees.
Winter shoes should not be cramped, too narrow boots disturb blood circulation, squeezing the foot.
In such shoes, the foot will freeze, and the risk of developing arthrosis also increases. In winter boots it should be possible to move your toes a little, they should not be squeezed. But shoes should not hang on the foot either.
When choosing winter leather boots, you should also think about how much effort and time will require further care for such shoes.
Boots made of a combination of different materials are difficult to maintain: leather with textile or suede trim. Each element of such shoes will require the use of different specialized care products. Light leather shoes are rather capricious: even water can stain on such boots.Delicacy and special attention and the use of special care products require patent leather shoes.
The determining factor may be the price. You can save on purchase by purchasing shoes at a seasonal sale. However, off-season selections can be significantly limited.
How to care?
Before starting socks, new leather boots should be covered with a special impregnating agent or cream.
Make sure that the color of the cream matches the color of the shoes, and the purpose matches the type of material.
- For the care of leather shoes, do not use silicone-soaked sponges.
- You don’t need to wear leather boots if it’s damp, slushy or wet snow.
If the shoes are still wet, they should be dried well, but away from sources of heat (do not leave boots near the battery).
To avoid deformation of the shoes during drying, you should use special pads or just tightly stuff the boots with paper.
Once a week, leather boots should be cleaned with a special cream, periodically treated with water-repellent.
Any shoe care products should be applied only to clean and dried boots. Dirt from leather boots is removed with a soft brush and a damp cloth. Then the shoes are wiped dry. Do not wash leather shoes in the water! In case of severe contamination, specially designed products can be used to clean shoes.
For some types of leather shoes, only dry cleaning is allowed; to remove dirt on such shoes, do not use a damp cloth.
Patent leather shoes require special care. When cleaning such shoes do not use brushes, only a soft cloth. In any case, you need to familiarize yourself with the shoe care instructions that the manufacturer offers, and follow the recommendations contained in it.
It is recommended to have several pairs of shoes for one season, since with the daily use of one pair it is not possible to dry the shoes well, and this is extremely important to maintain its performance and extend its service life.
Wet or poorly dried leather shoes should not be worn: they can stretch out and lose their shape.
At the end of the season, leather shoes should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area away from sunlight and heat sources. It is not recommended to store leather boots in plastic bags or plastic boxes. To do this, it is better to use fabric or special covers.