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It’s almost September, and fab fall boots are lining the shelves around town. A peek at the pricetag on the bottom of the sole, though, can be a whopping wake-up call: These things are an investment, so you better know what you’re shelling out for.
Who better to provide a primer than Lori Andre (pictured left), who opened Lori’s Shoes (pictured above) on Armitage Avenue back in 1982 and, on any given day, has more than of 10,000 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-clad 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 or combat boot styles with heavier leather and rock ’n’ roll hardware like studs or chains, and over-the-knee styles (this one’s just for the ladies). For guys, the easiest styles for a boot virgin to pull off are a harness boot or simple side-zip style that stops just above the ankle.
GET A GOOD FIT
Whether boots are on mega-sale or full-price, 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. “You can tell from the moment you put your foot in the boot whether or not it’s going to be comfortable,” says Andre. “If it doesn’t feel good now, it’s going to feel a lot worse later.” Try the toe-wiggle test: They should have enough breathing room to wiggle freely inside the tip of the boot. Though a leather boot will give just a bit in the width, “you want to make sure there’s enough room in the length, because that will not give and you will be miserable,” she says.
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 slim than average, look for brands offering knee-high boot in wide and narrow calf widths for a more customized fit.
ALL ABOUT THE MATERIAL
Why are some boots $50 and others $300? The materials that are used as well as where the boots were made add up to what you see on the pricetag.
First, look on the boot’s box or lining for a label noting what it’s made of. Leather is a natural material, while “man-made” denotes a synthetic material such as rubber or PVC. “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 offers more flexibility and shock absorption than a synthetic when used for the sole; however, because leather has a more involved treatment process and a higher import duty (33.5%, versus 15% for synthetic materials), 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.
Where boots are manufactured also factors in: A boot made in China with a leather upper but a synthetic lining and sole will be much less expensive than an all-leather boot that’s hand-stitched in a small factory in Italy, says Andre. Fancy hardware or custom leather finishes give boots a hand-crafted look but will also drive up the price.
WATCH THE WEATHER
If you’re looking to justify dropping a ton on a pair of killer boots because you think you’ll wear them through the fall and all winter long, think again. “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, as salt and water can erode leather over time. “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.” If you want a pair of boots you can wear universally, in the snow and indoors all day, look for a treated leather pair that’s labeled both guaranteed waterproof and breathable.
Lisa Arnett is the Metromix nightlife and shopping producer. lmarnett@tribune.com
