Valenki - fashion trends

Fashion has a tendency to return. So, recently felt boots have been experiencing their revival, which are no longer perceived as village shoes. Today it is a fashion trend that is in demand among modern women.

The prototype of this felt boots made of felted wool were pims worn by Eurasian nomads as early as one and a half thousand years ago. In Ancient Russia, boots appeared during the Golden Horde - they were brought by the Mongol and Turkic peoples.

Until the 19th century, it was the shoes of exceptionally wealthy people, and usually there was only one pair for the whole family, which was used in turn. It should be noted that Tsar Peter 1 himself liked to wear felt boots. The nineteenth century is the time of the mass distribution of these products. Interestingly, by the beginning of the 20th century, a pair of factory felt boots could be bought for only two rubles, but in the revolutionary period their value increased significantly (up to about 15 rubles).

The main centers of felting industry were located in the Yaroslavl and Kostroma, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod provinces. By the way, in Yaroslavl now, as before, they are breeding a special Romanovskaya breed of sheep, it is distinguished by thick warm wool and is very well littered.

Valenoks are the most practical and comfortable shoes for a real Russian winter. In addition, sheep’s wool is famous for its medicinal properties: it provides a light foot massage, improves blood circulation. Its main advantage is the ability to retain heat even in severe frosts.

Modern felt boots are an interesting topic for design developments, and foreign fashion experts are also involved in this. These shoes today are no longer associated with a rude design and dark colors. The ability to keep warm is successfully combined with elegance, for example, Finnish felt boots Kuoma.

There are various types of this shoe. Classic felt boots - These are simple models with no decorative ornaments. They leave a lot of space for creative imagination to decorate the product to your liking.

Copyright boots - things decorated with embroidery, rhinestones, decorative braid. For example, models from Vyacheslav Zaitsev are very popular in a bohemian environment. Copyright boots can be made to order, and then the product will be truly exclusive.

Felt boots with lacing in a sports style - the perfect solution for winter walks and trips to nature. Laces make it possible to securely fix the shoes on the foot.

Burki - a man's kind of boots: the leather bottom of such shoes is combined with a white felt top.

Home felt boots - special models for indoor socks, a more comfortable alternative to warm socks, fabric slippers and rubber slates. Such a thing will be a wonderful gift for children and adults, for example, for the New Year or Christmas.

Souvenir boots - lovely miniature sized items with a wide variety of decor, which are bought as souvenirs.

Wedding boots purchased specifically for the newlyweds. They are decorated with embroidery, elegant lace, etc., typical of the celebration. Paired models designed for the bride and groom complement each other.

Pair options for mom with a small daughter also look cute. This style is called Family-look Today is very popular.

Today, there are three varieties of boots:

• Classic full woolen products (beaten).
• Options with rubber or polyurethane soles.
• Models made of woolen cloth, but having a heater - batting, a bike or fur, as well as a sewn-in sole. Such products are useful for thawing.

Finnish felt boots are popular. These models are equipped with a thermal insulating sole made of polyurethane, which does not allow slipping on ice. The top of such models is treated with a special composition that prevents adhesion of dirt and dust, and the inside has a high-quality pile.

Felt boots today are made both of a traditional form with a flat sole, and more intricate, for example, with a heel, platform, wedge. Designers even offer stylish stiletto heels that will create a feminine look even in severe frost. But still, products with a wider stable heel or wedge are more practical and stable.

The boot leg can be long or short, loose or close-fitting. Also, the upper part can be tightened with laces, fastened with a zipper or Velcro, fixed with an elastic band.

The polyurethane sole of boots (it is especially common on models with heels) does not wear out and does not slip. As a rule, it is ribbed - it removes water. It is preferable to choose options with a thick sole, which will more reliably protect the wool from dirt.

Various manufacturers in a competitive environment equip their boots with various useful elements:

• Removable insoles, including embossed ones.
• Padded back.
• Knitted cuffs that protect against snow and wind.
• Additional sizing seams.
• Reflective elements that ensure safety in the dark and in bad weather.

Initially, felt boots were made exclusively by hand from sheep’s wool, with white varieties from the Mongolian breed, gray varieties from Caucasian and Central Asian sheep.However, there were some samples from the hair of goats and dogs.

Note that manufacturing technology over several centuries, in principle, has not changed. This process is simple, but it requires physical strength, as well as patience. Shaved wool must be thoroughly washed and cleaned of impurities. Then it is weighed and the necessary proportion of “autumn” and “spring” raw materials is formed: it is she who determines the color and softness of the finished shoe. After the wool is sent to the machine, where it is loosened and mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The raw materials are aged for a day, and then they go to the next workshop where finished products are formed from it.

Today, elite felt boots are made from camel hair, it is much lighter than sheep, but it is also warm and strong. Also, designers insert leather, felt, satin, lace fragments into ordinary felt boots. Often, these shoes are decorated with fur details, for example, mischievous pompons.

Winter is the time to please yourself with catchy tones that will cheer up everyone around. Fashion designers offer options for purple, raspberry, orange, bright blue, mint color. Of course, classic white and black are still present.

The boots of metallic shades and gradient patterns with a transition from light to saturated color, additionally decorated with embroidery, look original. Smoky gray options with elegant ornaments on the top are in demand.

In the winter season of 2017, the folklore style is embroidery and painting in the traditional Russian folk style (flowers and berries). Such shoes are a wonderful means of self-expression. Northern ethnic motifs also look interesting.

Finnish brand Kuoma produces light boots with excellent water-repellent properties and a durable sole. These models are distinguished by bright colors, suitable for everyday wear and for business wardrobe. Unlike felted analogues, they can be washed in a typewriter without sacrificing appearance.

British designers of boots mainly focused on the youth environment and are characterized by the direction of "urban chic." These are options with catchy embroidery and original prints. but trademark Keddo offers felt boots in a classic style of calm colors.

Stylish and smart boots produces company Cooper (Slovenia). Many models are decorated with elegant perforation, embroidery. Many options with quilted textile top.

The domestic manufacturer of boots is represented by a large number of factories. One of the leaders is Yaroslavl factory for the production of felted shoes. The company offers both traditional products and boots with rubber and polyurethane soles, with various types of finishes. In addition, the assortment includes home felt slippers. Souvenir products are also made, including on order, with the logo of the customer organization.

Factory "Kalyaev" sews boots with different lengths of boot and heel. The range of models, decor and colors are striking in their diversity.

When choosing boots, take into account the manufacturing method. Take handicrafts strictly according to their size. Machine-made models, as a rule, shrink, so their size should be two units larger (options with rubber soles should be bought only one size larger).

Shoes should not be too tight - otherwise it will be uncomfortable for you to walk. But a very soft felt boot is a sign of under-fed raw materials, it will not keep its shape. Try to squeeze the product - a good coat is slightly springy.

Also pay attention to the smell: if it is unpleasant - the wool is poorly washed.Such a smell will not disappear with time. High-quality felt cloth uniform, without lumps and thickenings. Note that the inside of the boots should also be smooth, a hole may gradually appear in thin places.

1. Coming from the street, immediately shake the snow off the boots so that it does not melt on them. And in wet weather it is better to prefer rubber boots or put on special galoshes on felt boots (now there are transparent options that do not affect the attractive appearance).
2. Remember that boots should never be washed. Indeed, a raw canvas is sure to deform and lose its presentable appearance. When you need to clean the dirt - use a brush with natural bristles, in extreme cases - a slightly damp cloth.
3. It is also unacceptable to dry wet boots on a battery or heater. After this procedure, the coat hardens. Valenoks dry well at room temperature.
4. These shoes need to be carefully stored, as natural wool is a bait for moths. Place your felt boots in a plastic bag, remembering to put a pill against insects. Periodically check the condition of the product.

The price of ordinary machine-made felt boots with factory finish is quite affordable when compared with the cost of winter leather goods. As a rule, it does not exceed two thousand rubles, it is determined by the length of the shaft and the material of the sole. Unusual handmade products will certainly cost you more - the price can be several tens of thousands. The same applies to elite camel hair models.

Valenoks are a wonderful winter wardrobe item of a modern fashionista. They are perfectly combined with short fur coats and short sheepskin coats (especially if your shoes have a heel or wedge heel). However, with fur coats in the floor and a classic-style coat, it is inappropriate to wear them. Options on a flat course look great with short down jackets.

A great addition to felt boots is skinny jeans and a warm voluminous sweater. Also, these shoes look good with leggings and a knitted tunic, a pullover, a turtleneck, a stylish fur vest. Please note that trousers are usually tucked into boots.

It is perfectly acceptable to combine these shoes with a skirt (mini or midi length) and a flirty blouse. Moreover, products with a high top are suitable for a short skirt, and shortened boots for medium-sized clothes.

Favorite knitted dress will appear in a new light in combination with this original shoe.

Valenki will successfully complement some other accessory in the Russian folk style, for example, a down scarf as a scarf.

• Glamorous autumn look.

• Stylish felt boots with light tights - it looks stylish, but you feel warm and comfortable in this outfit.

• Very original model of boots. Denim will complement the image and make a bright accent.