Ah, winter. A tough time sartorially, especially when it comes to footwear. The best winter shoes are, most often, flats as they're better at navigating sub-zero climes and deeper-than-they-look puddles. But that doesn't mean months of only wearing Wellingtons, as a wealth of options abound – with many involved in the upcoming Black Friday fashion deals, too.
As far as the rest of the year is concerned, there’s a very much an anything goes approach. Birkenstocks to a party? Sure. Flip flops to the pub? Why not. But, once the gale-force winds and the deathly chill of winter sets in, our feet don’t stand a chance.
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How, then, do fashion insiders clad their tootsies during the colder months without freezing to death or crippling themselves with sartorial shame? The answer, dear reader, lies in the following three categories of footwear, all of which promise to be your feet’s BFFs for the upcoming winter and beyond.
Ballet Flats
Perhaps the biggest dichotomy of winter dressing is how to do it without freezing to a premature death while not looking too 'practical'.
The answer lies in prioritising stylish comfort, which is not to be confused with just comfort alone. One such example of stylish comfort is the humble ballet flat, which has seen its status reformed in recent years. After its early Noughties heyday, the ballet flat retreated to the recesses of the public consciousness until a slew of brands, notably JW Anderson and Alaïa, brought back the style. Now, they're impossible to ignore and have returned with fervour to the fashion race vying for the number one once again.
So if you're going from your desk to the dancefloor with friends , the ballet flat is the stylishly comfortable shoe that will keep your feet thankful and snug without looking frumpy (even when paired with socks or tights). Or whether you're using them as a stop-gap before you have to slip into your Christmassy heels, ballet flats are truly the MVP of hard-working winter footwear. Invest wisely, wear repeatedly.
Ferragamo Fluffy Ballet Flat
Bally Baunty Studded Ballerina Shoes
Miu Miu Naplak Ballerinas
Pretty Ballerinas Kristen Ballerinas
Trainers
The virtues of trainers have been extolled at large over the years, but they come into their own during the winter. By investing in a fashion-forward pair, not only are you making an investment for your feet, but you’re also guaranteeing yourself a slew of inevitable incoming compliments (trust us). After all, winter isn’t all partying and, well, more partying, there are countless hours dedicated over the festive period to the serious sport of mooching with loved ones, which requires a sensibility that only a trainer can be relied upon to provide.
I'll be reaching for my green New Balance 550s this festive period, which I know will do all of the hard work for me while I lean into the festivities, while other members of ELLE UK's fashion team will be relying upon their trusty Wales Bonner Adidas Sambas and Onitsuka Tigers to see them through winter in stylish comfort. The takeaway though? There's a trainer to suit everybody. You (and your feet) can thank us later.
Loewe Flow Runner Monogram Trainers
New Balance RC42 Trainers
Nike Cortez Cacao Wow Trainers
Adidas Samba OG Mesh Trainers
Chunky boots
Boots are as synonymous with winter as mulled wine is with Christmas: it’s near impossible to have one without the other, that much we know for sure. But, there’s a fine balance to be struck between boots and really, really good boots, the sort that fashion insiders can’t get enough of once the weather turns. The two are not to be confused with each other: one is stylistically acceptable, the other decidedly less so.
The key is looking for boots that not only boast a serious sole — the chunkier, the better — but are also a silent style hero, one that can slip under a knitted skirt or dress and carry you around for the day without making your feet moan. It’s a balance that’s difficult to strike, but we’re willing to let you in on the secret of the brands that do it the best.
H&M Chunky Black Boots
The Row Leather Ankle Boots
& Other Stories Chunky Chelsea Leather Boots
Russell & Bromley Mid-Calf Chelsea Boot
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Naomi May is a seasoned culture journalist and editor with over ten years’ worth of experience in shaping stories and building digital communities. After graduating with a First Class Honours from City University's prestigious Journalism course, Naomi joined the Evening Standard, where she worked across both the newspaper and website. She is now the Digital Editor at ELLE Magazine and has written features for the likes of The Guardian, Vogue, Vice and Refinery29, among many others. Naomi is also the host of the ELLE Collective book club.
