The weather is getting cooler and the days are getting shorter. That means one thing: Winter is coming. This season, you might need to upgrade your footwear. If you’re looking for a pair of boots to rock this season, here are some tips to make sure you buy the right pair and wear them well:
Keep up with maintenance
If you’re wearing boots in the elements, odds are they’ll get pretty dirty. Don’t be the guy who walks into work every day with mud-caked boots. Stay on top of shoe maintenance to keep them looking nice.
Rubber soles slide less
Should you buy leather or rubber-soled boots? Leather is more durable, but it’s also more slippery. If you’re walking on ice, rubber soles are the way to go.
Wear pants that are the right length
No matter what kind of boots you wear, the hem of your pants should dust the top of the boot. If your pants are wrinkled and folded between the ankle and boot, the pants are too long. If you can see the top of the boot in a full length mirror, your pants are too short.
Boots are not made for formal wear
If you’re wearing a formal suit, sporting a black tie, or going to any kind of dressy function – do not wear boots. Boots are casual by nature and aren’t meant to complement dressy attire.
If you live in a snowy climate and must wear boots to trudge through the snow, that’s okay but take a pair of formal dress shoes with you to change into.
Black boots are dressier
While no boots should be paired with a suit, the general rule of thumb is that black boots are dressier than brown ones. It’s something to keep in mind when you purchase a pair of boots.