Craft Style Files: If the boot fits...

The predictions for this winter have been saying that this will be an awful one. No one wants to walk around in a foot of snow in flip flops. Your best options for winter footwear are boots. There is a wide selection of boots to choose from. There are boots for every occasion. You have boots that are great for everyday wear and then you have those that are for dressier occasions. First you have construction boots. These boots are great for everyday use and wear. They can handle the frigid temperatures and offer great traction for the slippery ground. These are great for just kicking around in, but should never be worn to any type of business casual or formal function. I have seen people wear these boots to functions that call for appropriate dress and they look extremely out of place.

We also have Ugg boots, which are very casual boots. Uggs are great for those freezing winter mornings and they keep your feet nice and warm. Uggs are fine as long as you stay with neutral tones. Once you start wearing bright green Uggs, and they do exist, you end up looking like someone vomited on your feet. Do not wear Uggs to a formal function. If I see one more girl wearing Uggs with a cocktail dress, I am going to have to stage an intervention. They are not meant to be worn with that type of attire.

Next you have high-heeled ankle boots. They should cut right below the ankle and should not be any higher. Unfortunately, if you have cankles these will not be flattering on you, unless you are wearing long pants that cover your legs.

Ankle boots look great both night and day. They look great with knee-length skirts or even minis. When trying to wear an ankle boot for the evening, make sure that it is very simple so that it does not draw people's eyes from your dress or jewels. A pair of simple black ankle boots paired with black tights and a platinum lam sheath will look sophisticated and chic but not audacious. It is also a great look for the upcoming holiday season because it will surely stand out from the rest of the crowd.

If you choose to wear a mid-calf boot, I would stick to wearing just pants with them. If you wear a skirt with a mid calf boot, then the proportions looks weird and your legs may look a bit stumpy.

Knee high boots always seem to fall into that grey area in fashion. How do you properly pull off a pair of knee high boots? Should you tuck your pants into them? What length skirt looks appropriate with them?

Tucking your pants into your boots is no longer en vogue. If you have a butt and hips and then you tuck your pants into your boots, all you are doing is creating an extremely unflattering shape for yourself. You end up looking like a triangle because the boots slim the lower part of your leg. It has also gotten to the point where girls are tucking any type of pant into their boots. I have seen girls tuck loose fit jeans into their boots and they end up looking like they have balloon pants on because those jeans were not made to tuck into boots.

As far as skirt length is concerned, you should go with something that is knee length or higher but not a mini. If you go with a mini skirt and wear knee highs then you are leaving too much of a gap in between and you are showing too much skin.

Do not wear thigh high boots. Only hookers and porn stars wear those.

Dressier boots for guys do exist and are a great alternative to wearing an oxford or loafer to a more formal event. A pair of black Chelsea boots combined with a pair of black pants and a white turtleneck makes for a clean, polished look. They also give off the impression that you are a man with style but you do not have to try hard to be stylish, it just comes naturally.

Another type of boot that was big on the runways this season was the riding boot. They are no longer just for people who ride horses, but have become a must have this season. They were seen on the runways of Gucci and Jean Paul Gaultier, where each label stuck with the classic look of the boot but added some fashion flare. The riding boot is great for those who do not want to deal with the fuss of high-heeled boots but still want to be fashionable.

When looking for boots for this upcoming winter season, make sure that they have rubber soles. A rubber sole will help with traction and prevent you from slipping and falling flat on your behind. We would not want you to ruin your new pair of True Religions. Also, make sure to waterproof your boots so that they will stand up to all of the snow and slush on the ground. I should not have to say this, but I will just remind everyone not to wear suede when there is snow and slush out there. It will just ruin the boots and you will end up crying over them, or at least I would.

Boots are the best part of winter and with just a few tips in the back of your mind you will be able to find the perfect pair, or pairs, to help pull your winter wardrobe together. So go out and find your picture perfect pair of boots. Happy boot shopping!