Until I moved to New York, I thought a British winter was cold. Then I discovered –15C + windchill in Manhattan and knew I had been labouring under a mammoth-sized delusion. (Of course friends from places like Minnesota laugh drily. They really know about cold & snow there.)
I quickly put together an NYC cold weather wardrobe, but I still always have cold feet. The icy pavements and enduring slush means that Hunter wellies (which have proper treaded soles) are the most practical winter footwear, but even with tights & cashmere socks my feet freeze. There are also times when wellies just feel a bit unsophisticated. They also look stupid with anything other than the skinniest of pants. And I am not even going to address the sartorial horror of the Ugg (ly) boot.
Then this Christmas my mother ordered herself these boots from the Celtic Sheepskin Company. They have waterproof nubuck outers and are lined with soft sheepskin. I’ve, erm, borrowed them to walk the dogs and have even worn them without socks. Did they keep my feet warm? Hell yeah.
They are utterly, brilliantly bloody marvellous.
£135 from The Celtic Sheepskin Company. They also sell wonderful sheepskin lined wellies, which my sister has & swears by, which are sold out at the moment.
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I like their stuff- I wanted a bag you posted about forever ago but it was sold out. Need some of those boots today!
Oh, why, oh why didn't you tell me about these before my skiing holiday to Sweden? Excellent boots, will have to get for next year. There goes my promise not to spend too much on clothing in 2010.
Helena
xx
PS. Thanks for your comment on my blog – there's another post up with pictures about the holiday, I promise it'll be the last one.xx
These look so warm and sturdy perfect for pounding the streets of Manhatten
Yes their are probaly perfect for winter! I still have my UGG Boots! Ugly but the warmer shoes I ever have bought!
I resisted the call of the Ugg(ly) boot for years and years. And then I moved to Islington. Now I just fit in. If only I'd chain smoke and stop washing my hair, me was almost one of'em. Innit!
xx MM
PS: Waiting for new mini Mozart classes to start in N1. Can't wait.
I'm just starting to learn about the minus 15 windchill. Had something like that yesterday; now it's minus 3 today and it feels like it's really MILD. Those boots look great. I have some very toasty sheepskin lined ones from LL Bean which are great for the snow (and prettier than Uggs). But I have yet to find gloves which actually keep my hands warm in this kind of weather(other than ski gloves) – even cashmere lining does not do it. So if you know of any, do post about it!
Do they do bodysuits too? I'm bloody freezing!
I live in Minnesota!
Mea culpa– The first year, I wore ugly boots (not Uggs, but close)… I repent! But they kept my feet toasty! What was I to do? I'm just a skinny little Irish girl who caught viral pneumonia within two months of moving here! I was sick as hell– what did I care about style?
But now I know better. Here is my secret to toasty feet in stylish footwear even in the dead and icy heart of winter:
1. Wolford Merino tights
2. Wool socks (over the tights)
3. SHEEPSKIN LINERS– A goddamn god-send. You can put them in any boot and you'll have Ugg-warmth but still manage to look like a sleek, arctic fox.
These secrets are free. You're welcome!
Oh wait, I meant sheepskin INSOLES, not liners.
Another secret is La Canadienne. Yes, the styles are a little granny-ish, but many come lined with an exceeding warm insulatory yet moisture-wicking material. Plus, Zappos sell them, which makes them even more attractive (I love their customer service).
They are fab and I got my slippers from there. I can't claim finding them as Mr MDS is the warm toed hunter. So I'm a convert to their practical things!
I really need to forward this to millions of people I know that can't stop talking about how lovely and warm Ugg(ly) boots are…even now years on. Hopefully they'll click and embrace this much better option!
@Laura: Are the Ugg (ly!) boots waterproof? And what type of coat do you recomend?
Never mind a New York winter, it's freezing over here in the UK! Although when I went to New York last it was -16 so those shoes would come in handy!
I have a pair, and as you say, they are bloody brilliant, particularly at the moment when I crunch through ice taking the dog walking. xx
Man its cold here too in Surrey Uk we are waiting for heavy snow butjust before the cold weather arrived here I must have know as I bought a full length Maxi Toscana Sheepskin coat from the Celtic Sheepskin website and girlies I recommend it I havent felt the cold since!!
Man its cold here too in Surrey Uk we are waiting for heavy snow butjust before the cold weather I arrived here I must have know as I bought a full length Maxi Toscana Sheepskin coat from the Celtic Sheepskin website and girlies I recommend it I havent felt the cold since!!Check it out on their website its the most beautiful coat I have ever warn and I have had so many comments when wearing it.. I am about to purchase a pair of their boots to match!!
Need good boots like these in Norway, so I went to check them out. Was suprised to see that the webshop sells Ilse Jacobsen Hornbæk's rubber boots without mentioning the brand name, almost like they are their own. Ilse Jacobsen's (Danish) tall rubber boots are on the feet of 75 % of Norwegian women and I'm sooo tired of them. Give me Hunter any day!
)
Wowza, my feet feel warm just staring at them . Actually thats a lie but they are still going on my shopping list .
x
Ugg boots are basically Australian slippers. You can wear them outside if you want to, but then you might as well wear your pyjamas and dressing gown out as well and be entirely comfortable. The moccasin versions of ugg boots are the preferred casual footwear of scary criminal types in not-so-nice parts of Melbourne town. I agree, there are more stylish ways to keep your feet warm.
Ugg boots aren’t Australian slippers (although, they can always be used as slippers, too, of course). They were invented (in the 1960s, I believe?) by Australian surfers, to keep their feet warm, or cool (depending on the weather – sheepskin can do both), after surfing; which obviously means that they were intended to be worn outside. Fortunately,I like the way they look, personally and don’t find them ugly, at all – but then, I also like the way sheepskin mittens look and I think uggs are kind of like mittens for the feet! Although the boots shown are lovely to look at and I’m sure will be warmer than an unlined boot, close-fitting boots (even sheepskin-lined ones) are never going to be as insulating as uggs as, in order to achieve effective insulation levels, not only does the sheepskin need to be very thick but, also, the boot needs to have plenty of room, to allow the air to circulate through it. That’s how the insulating effect of sheepskin works. Unfortunately, in a close-fitting boot, the sheepskin will not only be too thin, but it will also be crushed almost flat, when worn and therefore, will be rendered far less effective. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, ugg-haters, but in terms of keeping feet and legs toasty warm (or cool, in the summer), the people you ridicule for loving uggs actually have the right idea…
Sorry chloehandbags, but I am siding with sophie on this. Proper Aussies do not think Uggs are for outdoor wear, unless you are a 1960′s surfer that is. You can wear them as far as the mail box and that’s it. Horrendously ugly footwear.
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