These Boots Are Made For Sloshin'

As much as we, the native Seattleites, like to play down the amount of rain we get, being a fashionista in Seattle does pose certain challenges in the shoe department.  Not that there's a lack of cute shoes to be bought in Seattle, but there is a real lack of opportunity to wear said cute shoes.  Rocking a pair of 'weather permitting' pony hair pumps just doesn't have the same appeal as just rocking them. 

As a self-proclaimed fashionista, living in Seattle, I have struggled with this stormy issue for years. You are planning on going out Saturday night, you've got the perfect hot little outfit, complete with your new nude leather pumps or peep-toe heels, 20 minutes before you leave your house the rain is hitting your window and the temperature has dropped 10 more degrees.  There's no sense in ruining your new shoes or catching a cold, walking in the rain and cold.  What's a gal to do? I have come up with a couple ways to allude Miss Soggy Pants Mother Nature, who clearly isn't as fashion-conscious as the rest of us.

1) During the darker, winter evenings, I rotate in a small collection of much less expensive, fake leather or suede options.  Pleather heels or booties, paired with skinnies or leggings work well enough to complete the outfit, without people being able to really decipher the brand or actual material the shoes are made of! Target always has plenty of choices in that vein, as does Payless Shoe Source.

2) Another fashion-forward trend is to wear functional yet trendy rain boots- I like to use the term, "galloshes"... I just like the way it sounds... Some of you may be familiar with the brand, Hunter; these are very pricey, but sophisticated, comfortable and come in several colors and are available at Nordys.  I have also found that places like DSW carry a big selection of rain boots especially in the Fall/Winter.  The key is to get a pair that will go with a variety of outfits, black or a black and white pattern are an obvious choice.  If you already have a basic pair, go for a bright color like yellow or red.  Stay away from youthful patterns, like floral or rubber duckies.  As far as advice on what to wear them with goes, I think it depends.  The BEST look is with leggings; wearing a slimming pant makes it ok to have a clunkier boot on the bottom.  Another cute trend is to get a pair of knee-high socks and pull them up, just above the top of the rain boot, as a middle layer between the boot and leggings.  I think, if you know how to style yourself, you can look great wearing the galloshes and a flowy dress and cardigan.  And if you are an advanced fashionista, you can even make rain boots look good with the right work outfit.  Keeping the rest of your look very simple and sharp, adding a colorful rain boot throws a bit of whimsy into an otherwise dreary outfit and day!