It’s almost September, and fabulous (and expensive) fall boots are lining store shelves around town. Since boots are an investment, you better know what you’re shelling out for.
Who better to provide a primer than Lori Andre, who opened Lori’s Shoes on Armitage Avenue back in 1982 and, on any given day, has more than 10,000 pairs of shoes and boots in her inventory for the flagship store and its suburban outposts? Heed her advice and you’ll be kicking up your boot heels in no time.
Know the trends
“One thing that this season has got going for it is that there are some real strong trends,” says Andre. The three biggies? Cowboy boots (especially shorter styles), motorcycle boots with studs or chains and over-the-knee styles (ladies only). For guys, the easiest styles for a first-time boot buyer to pull off are a harness boot or a simple side-zip style that stops just above the ankle.
Get a good fit
Andre’s motto is “It’s not a bargain unless it fits.” When shopping, wear your own socks (rather than those disposable shoe-store footies) and spend a full five minutes walking around in the store. “If it doesn’t feel good now, it’s going to feel a lot worse later,” says Andre. Try the toe-wiggle test: They should have enough breathing room to wiggle freely inside the tip of the boot. Another trick? Stick your hand inside the boot to feel for bumpy seams or rough edges where the lining meets the sole that could potentially irritate your foot. And if your calves are either more muscular or slimmer than average, look for brands offering knee-high boots in wide and narrow calf widths.
All about the material
Why are some boots $50 and others $300? The materials and where the boots were made add up to what you see on the price tag.
Look on the boot’s box or lining for a label noting what it’s made of. “Boots that are really high-quality are leather-lined, leather-soled and leather-uppered,” says Andre. Leather keeps your feet warm but is also breathable, and, when used for the sole, offers more flexibility and shock absorption than molded plastic. But because leather has a more involved treatment process and a higher import duty, it’ll cost you. Likewise, a boot with a synthetic upper costs much less, but because the material isn’t breathable, your feet can be a hot sweaty mess after all-day wear. A made-in-China boot also will sell for much cheaper than a boot that’s hand-stitched in a small Italian factory.
Watch the weather
“If you’re going to buy a $600 pair of leather boots and wear them in the snow, they’re going to get ruined,” says Andre. Salt and water can erode leather over time, unless it’s treated to be waterproof. “We always tell people, buy a synthetic boot that’s guaranteed waterproof [for snowy days] and wear your fashion boots when the weather is good.”
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lmarnett@tribune.com
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Back to school
So we’re not buying pencil cases and textbooks like we used to around this time of year, but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost our zest for learning. Each week, we’ll look to local experts to school you about everything from fashion to drinking to food. Hey, it’s better than calculus, right?
VOCAB LESSON
Vamp: The part covering the top of the foot and attaching to the sole.
Shaft/quarter: The part extending upward from the vamp to cover your ankle and calf.
Sole: The bottom of the boot.
Upper: The entire boot, excluding the sole.
