Well, more “In Sickness” for this post, as I’ve been felled by a nasty virus and lying at home on the couch for the past three days.  Does that get boring fast!

So, no fun shoes for the past few days, that’s for sure.  But plenty of appreciation for my cozy Ugg Tasman slippers, which kept my feet warm and comfy throughout the ordeal.

So, even though today is the first day of Spring, and I should be thinking about what old shoes I should be clearing out of my closet,  instead I’m going on about the raptures of cozy slippers.

I know many people like the dainty type slipper like this Burberry one that comes in several materials including cashmere version for a whopping $240.

But me, I’m all about the plush and cozy, and I’m a longtime devotee of the Tasman with its sole that’ll let you wear it outside to get the paper if you have to.

But these scuffs from Barefoot Bling are mighty tempting.

And Restoration Hardware has a pair that comes in a soothing array of colors.

If you’re after something that comes up snug around your ankle to keep those cold floor breezes from your tender feet, then I’d suggest something like these Old Friend Bootees.

And if you’re not really sure what kind of slipper you’re after, then consult the vast selection at OnlySlippers.com.  I’ll give you three guesses what they specialize in, and the first two don’t count.

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Or is it Shoe-Santa? I can’t tell. But I would like to figure out a way to drop subtle hints to my significant other as to what my heart really wants this coming gift season.

So, should I leave my computer open for him to see these UGGs?

Hey, they’re practical, comfortable, and perfect for that vacation in Aspen I’ve been planning. The Ugg Rina Ribbon Boot is $225 at Neiman Marcus. Ok, I lied–I haven’t been planning a vacation in Aspen, but if I have these boots, I might!

Or maybe he’s going to figure out a certain designer is on my mind because of my numerous Freudian slips? (”Mmm, these pradines are delicious!”). And maybe this will come to mind:

Prada suede riding boots, just a tad under $1000 at Neiman’s.

Or maybe…I should keep complaining I got nothing festive to wear for when we go over to his parents for Christmas? Something nice and cute and…red? Like these unusually low Louboutins:

The Christian Louboutin “Tirelire” red patent ballerinas are $685 at Saks.

Or maybe I should just be upfront and say, “Honey, all I want for Christmas is a pair of Manolos?”

I’m sure he’ll understand!

How do you manage to drop those shoe-hints to your significant other?

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Last night I helped a friend start her quest for a pair of boots that will keep her comfy, warm, and stylish as the weather gets cold.  This is a fashion-forward gal of my acquaintance who has finally accepted that her California wardrobe of heels and thin materials isn’t quite going to cut it as we move into a New York winter.  So, the hunt is on.

First try was the Cole Haan Air Joa boot ($295).  Waterproof, comfy (Nike Air sole), shearling cuff and cozy knit lining, and still not without a ruggedly chic sense of style.  All in all, a distinct possibility.

But it didn’t quite fit right, so on we went.  The Ugg Locarno ($225) that I posted about last week was her next choice.  Sadly, though, we didn’t have enough time to keep hunting for it in person before stores closed up for the night.

So, the Locarno search continues.  And in the meantime, here are a couple other ideas for anyone looking for a boot that can do it all.

The Santana Lacey Hi boot ($234) is sleek, water-resistant, and fleece lined for cold days.

 The Halter boot ($329) by those pros of sexy weatherproof shoes, Aquatalia by Marvin K, is a fun patent leather that comes in a nice black, yes, but also this deliciously autumnal “carmel” color.  It’s got a knit collar, a faux fur lining for warmth, and it’s weatherproof.  Plus, it’s got a removable insole in case you need to stick some of your own orthotics inside.

 And for really sleek, La Canadienne offers a number of boots that you wouldn’t believe are designed for bad weather, because they’re often just as fashionable as any other boot you can find out there.  The Fidelity knee boot ($264) is a perfect example.  Waterproof and with a breathing/wicking liner that’ll keep your feet warm and dry throughout the winter.  Plus, you can get this boot in medium or wide widths.  One word of warning, though.  The circumference on these is listed as 13″, so it may be a better pick for those like me who are looking to fit smaller calves.

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I know I’m getting ahead of myself here with the Ugg boots already, but they are indeed starting to show up on people’s feet in New York (quite unnecessarily to my mind, since it’s hardly gotten below 60 degrees here). Now, I know there’s an ongoing debate about whether they’re great or awful, but I’m here to come down firmly on the side of love for these boots (which I’ve raved about before).

I recognize that they’re not the most fashionable (although more on that later), but they’re really the only thing that keeps my perpetually cold feet warm in the winter, and I’ve been relying on a succession of Ultra Talls to serve this important purpose for over 10 years now. Allow me to wax on about how they manage this for a moment.

Basically, when the boots are all made of sheepskin and sheepwool, they have natural wicking properties, so even though they’re not waterproof per se, they will keep the water and snow away from your feet when the boots get wet. Only thing that holds this up is if you wear socks with them. Seriously. Don’t wear socks. They’ll keep your feet much warmer and drier without the socks, which just soak up all that moisture and keep it right next to your feet. If you must wear socks, make sure they’re some wicking material like polypropelene or one of those high-tech hiking type socks.

OK, so I recognize that most people who wear Uggs at this point are actually doing it for the fashion statement, and that the ongoing war is between people who tend to go for the “mini skirt and Uggs” look (which I’m not really into) and people who say these things are hideous clunky, fashionless monstrosities (which I don’t really agree with either). I think I’m probably in the minority of people who really love these boots for their functionality. But c’est la vie. And I embrace their clunky style.

So, imagine my pleased surprise when I went to check out the newest crop of Ugg offerings and found some that I quite like the look of. Allow me to demonstrate.

The Classic Tall ($160) has been updated in a few new fun colors, including metallic pewter, gold, and a sweater knit that hits my cosy winter buttons bigtime. Just pass me the hot apple cider now.

The new Rina boot ($225) has a fun ribbon that wraps around the shaft, and I love this brown/gold color combination.

The Locarno boot ($250) has a great bomber-jacket-inspired look in black or two variations of brown with sheepskin and straps and leather, oh my!

The Upside boot ($225) comes in a variety of leather and suede options and makes me want to hit the excellent sledding hill in the town where I grew up.

Of course, in an effort to keep up with fashion, Ugg has also launched the “high fashion” Nolita line of more typical styles like the Caroline ($295) and the Greenwich line, including the Felicity ($295), but I sill prefer the clunkier looking boots. Everyone and their mother can find a nice looking leather boot somewhere, but since I like Uggs for their cozy factor, I’m sticking with that tried and true chunky warm fleecy style and embracing my winter bundled self.

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The concept of comfort food is a well-established one.  When we’re sad or hurt, we eat things that bring us joy like macaroni and cheese or the cookies we loved as children.  But does that extend to other areas apart from food?  For me it does.
 

I don’t know about you, but when I’m not feeling well or when something’s got me down, I gravitate toward certain types of clothing, specifically the softer, more comfortable pieces.  I know I’m not alone in this.  I’ve had it corroborated by others.  And, in a televisual example, powerful chick Buffy the Vampire Slayer always opted for loose, baggy clothes when she had something to be down in the dumps about.

Buffy is chased by high-powered assassins.	Buffy leaves home after killing her boyfriend.

(Screencaps from Screencap Paradise)

See… overalls… flannel shirts… comfort clothes.

As far as I’m concerned, I don’t opt for the baggy shapeless necessarily, but the soft and cozy is key.

But I’ve never really thought about comfort footwear in that same scenario.  The best I can come up with is Uggs.

There’s no way you can claim that this Ugg Sunburst Tall boot isn’t warm, soft, and cozy.

And at home, you’ve got the option for slippers,  which are definitely the mother of all comfort shoes.  Like these Ugg Roo slippers.

But for summer, this is a bit more challenging, since fewer things come in those soft and cozy trappings.  Ugg has a whole line of summer shoes now, which are lined in sheepskin, and which I must admit have been intriguing to me.  Like these Crawford loafers which are pretty classic and classy.

Or these Newport sandals , which would probably rub a lot less than your average leather-strap sandal.

 As far as other options of sheepskin-lined shoes, I can think of these Leopoldo Giordano wedges, which I saw on the street in another color and which are seriously adorable.  They’re still available at Bluefly in a US 6.5 or 7.5 for only $140, down from $350.

 What are your comfort shoes?

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