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Boots on the ground

Have you noticed all the boots? Women everywhere, of all ages, are wearing boots of all types. Boots! The last time boots were this popular was in the late 60s to mid-70s. Don’t ask me how I know that. Really. I’m begging you.

Anyway, Big D and I flew from NC to CA a couple of weeks ago and even he, a MAN, noticed all the boots in the many airports we were shuffled through.

Recap of our actual conversation:

Me: Have you noticed how boots are back?

Him: I did! Everyone is wearing boots!

We’ve been married a long time. He knows how to pretend engage in a topic that I care about and he doesn’t. I do the same thing for him whenever he talks about cars, which is pretty much on the hour. We both know the other is pretending interest and we appreciate the effort. This is how marriages last beyond the first decade.

But I digress. Back to boots. I did the boot thing the first time it came around: I had a lot of knee boots (boots that end just below the knee), I had g0-go boots (tight white boots that ended just below the knee), I even had boots made out of super thick stretchy material that went on like panty hose (and that far up too)–they were dark red and I was the bomb when I wore them. People stared, let me tell you. My mom had ankle boots, called ‘after ski boots’ at the time. They were black leather with red wool felt lining, truly adorable, but at the time I thought they were ‘mumsy,’ to borrow British slang.

Today, boots are back, but I am not in the same place I was before. I don’t like the way boots hold my ankle in a vise. I don’t like the loss of flexibility that happens while wearing a boot. I’ll wear ankle boots, and have a few pair already (mumsy!); they keep my feet warm, my footing firm, and my ankles mobile.

Got boots? Going to get boots? Is this your first boot fashion surge? Do I seem mumsy to you?

Written by Claudia Dain

I write historical romance as Claudia Dain and women's fiction as Claudia Welch. I don't have any sort of identity confusion. Yet.

Visit Claudia Dain's website


77 Comments on “Boots on the ground”

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  1. Kelly Proellocks says:

    You aren’t mumsy at all Claudia. I picked up the cutest most darling pair of grey ankle boots a month or so ago but I have yet to wear them because my feet have been doing the swelling thing thanks to this heat and I am p!$$ed as I want to wear them! I also want to wear knee high boots but I have muscular calves and most won’t zip up because of this. For me to wear knee high boots I have to have them made out of stretchy material and they are a pain in the butt to find. I guess I will have to get them off eBay.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Or not get them at all! That’s what I’m doing. It’s ankle boots all the way. I have two pair now that have fuzzy fleece lining. Warm and cozy! I wish it would get cold so I could wear them. It was 70 yesterday!

  2. E.R. says:

    Boots. They are stashed in several places at home. I have some. I got…
    …two winter boots…
    …a “snow” boots (the ones worn when there is too much snow)…
    …a “summer” striped boots…
    …a “rain” boots…
    …two below-the-knee boots…
    …a “slipper” boot…
    …and I want a “mumsy”. I threw my old pair out and want a new one.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Oooh! Are we calling ankle boots Mumsies now?? Let’s! :)

      And oh, how I want to see your summer striped boots. They sound adorable!

  3. Judy F says:

    The only boots I have are snow ones. Regular boots give me no mobility with my ankle. I love looking at them but everytime I try on a pair I just can’t buy them.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      This is how I am with most boots now. The really great thing about this round of boot fashion is the variety of types. Anything goes now.

  4. Sandi in OH says:

    I have snow boots which I seldom wear. I didn’t wear them at all last winter. The winter before I did because my dog was just a very small puppy and I had to go outside with him. I probably won’t get any more boots.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      They do last forever, at least the way I wear them, avoiding all puddles and snow, like a finicky poodle. Ha.

  5. Susan says:

    For me, boots are a necessity. Living in a place where the temperature averages -5 to -25 centigrade for 4-5 months a year makes them such. Of course, I always try to have them pretty and definitely with a heel (absolutely all my sandals, shoes, boots, etc. are heels because I’m on the short side, unfortunately).

    So yes, I do wear boots. For long, long spells over the year. But I hate having to do it. The fact that I must and there’s no helping it only adds to my dislike. I suppose if I had any choice, I would grow out of it and could even try some of those “summer boots” I notice some women wear. But in my present state of mind I don’t see it happening.

    That one day in spring when I can finally put on my ankle boots instead of the knee-high ones – oh, how I relish it. Changing ankle boots for shoes is The Day when I know that spring has finally and truly come. Then I feel like a snake that has shed its old skin. Since my feelings on boots are such, I don’t see myself shackling my poor feet in boots in late spring/early autumn, let alone summer. My legs don’t breathe in boots! And I can’t move as freely. And I always think boots look feet and legs look bigger, which is a no-no.

    There, you see, Claudia, what a sore subject you’ve touched. ;) Hence the loquaciousness.

    1. Kelly Proellocks says:

      Susan another way of thinking about your height is that you aren’t short but instead concentrated awesomeness.

      1. Susan says:

        Love it!!!! Thanks :)

    2. Claudia Welch says:

      I feel the same way about boots. I don’t like the loss of freedom of movement in general. Except when I’m desperate to keep my lower half warm, then I’ll put up with it.

      On being “on the short side”, I am not on the short side, I am fully and completely short and I used to always wear heels. Always. But I’ve come to accept the fact that I’m short (let’s call it petite—everything sounds prettier in French) and have decided to let the world deal with it. All my new shoe purchases are flats. Life’s too short not to be able to run for your life on fleet feet in the event of an emergency. Like the grocery store has only one can of pumpkin pie mix left and three women are charging for it.

  6. JenG says:

    Oh yes, I have once again succumbed to the boots craze. Actually not sure I ever actually left it. When I was in High School, I had a favorite pair that followed me through a couple of years. Black, pirate style ones that I wore with tight dresses. Then last year, (many years after high school) I grabbed a pair of those “no zipper so they are like second skin and really high heeled” boots off of a neighbor who had tired of them. Now I have another pair of black, knee high boots but these have a zipper and practically NO heel. I love them because for once, they are not too tight or too high heeled! I am sure I have some other boots in my closet that I’ve had for years but I’ve not worn them in what seems like forever!

    Our weather here has been so unpredictable that I’ve not gotten to wear the new ones much. Yesterday I was in shorts! I think I’d enjoy some ankle high boots too and NO I don’t think they are mumsy at all!

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I had pirate boots! Mine were black, high heeled, and had those Victorian lace and hooks from the toes to the top of the boot. Took forever to put on, but they were my favorite pair of boots. So stylish! I loved how the brass hooks gleamed.

      Can’t tell you how relieved I am to find that Mumsies aren’t mumsy. :)

  7. LoriHandeland says:

    IV keeps pointing out boots to me. Usually the knee high ones, which always seem to be worn with very tight jeans. I’ll only wear knee high boots with a longer skirt or dress.

    I wear boots in the winter. Have several ankle boots –brown, maroon, black, gray. And then, of course, the hot pink Uggs.

    There is also the dreaded snow boot here. But mine are bright red. In case someone needs to find me in a snow bank.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Exactly! If you’re buried in an avalanche, red boots will be your beacon! Smart. Way to plan ahead, Lori.

  8. Amanda says:

    I need new boots. I wore my brown ones out two winters ago when we had all kinds of snow and weather. I also need to find a cobbler. The heel of my black boots came off. They’re so cute and stylish that I would love to have them fixed so that I could wear them a gain. Two winters ago, I got so tired of mucking about in the snow and slush without any snow boots. So I ordered a cute pair off the internet, along with long johns. Last year, I think it got below freezing twice, and it didn’t snow. I think we may be on track for a similar warm winter this year.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      We had a slow start to winter here in NC as well. It was cold for a bit a month or so ago, but it’s been warm for the past two weeks. I have had the chance to wear my Mumsies already though, so I’m happy.

  9. Kelly Ryan Watson says:

    I am so non girly. The only boots I have are a pair of ankle boots and a pair of hiking boots! Now, when I was a kid I had a pair of moon boots that were the bomb! ;)

    1. Barbara Samuel says:

      I do have hiking boots, too!

      1. Claudia Welch says:

        I have hiking boots, though they’re really more like athletic shoes gone hiking, if you know what I mean. They’re not as thick as hiking boots, which makes them lighter, which I love.

        Non-girly my eye. You have two pair of boots! I know people who are very girly who have none.

    2. JenG says:

      Oh Moon Boots! I had them too .. Grey and pink ones. LOVED those stupid things!

      1. Kelly Ryan Watson says:

        Very ugly, but very warm! Haha

  10. kez says:

    My favorite subject: footwear! :)

    I put myself through college (VERY early 80s) selling shoes and had two lovely pair of Nina, soft leather, knee-high, high-heeled boots. I also had a pair of saddle-colored Frye boots – totally gorgeous. This was back when leather was baby soft and REAL. They were all worn until it was embarassing and had to be tossed. My girls now wish I had not loved them quite so much and they were around to steal. I don’t remember if everyone wore boots or I was just a rebel back then.

    I now have a pair of Uggs and Merrill hiking boots. No lovely, leather, sexy boots for me. I have turned Mumsy and only look for comfort. Sigh.

    You Claudia, will never be Mumsy.

    Thanks to the elves for the super cute header for the holidays!

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Oh, yes, I remember Frye boots. I had a pair! I loved those boots. They were so gorgeous and very boot-y, you know? Very ‘real boots for real women’ kind of boots. I tossed mine and they were NOT worn out. This is when I wish I wasn’t such a purger. I’ve thrown away things I wish I had now.

      And don’t you ADORE Merrill?? My two new ankle boots are from Merrill. Expensive, but they make my feet feel like I’m 10 years old again.

  11. Barbara Samuel says:

    I LOVE boots, and have several pairs, but am planning to add more. My current favorites are a soft gray ankle boot with buckles. Nice with tights or jeans.

    I used to have the most glorious pair of wine leather knee high boots, with soft sides and high heels, and when I wore them one day, a guy dubbed me “Glider.” It was a nickname that stuck, and one I never minded :) .

    Ah, glory days! :)

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Your boots are responsible for a cool nickname! The power of boots!!! I love it.

  12. Pesky says:

    Loooovvveee Boots!

    However I like ankle boots. The over the knee ones aren’t for me.

    When I was in college and minis and tights and miles of leg were in, I did boots. Now, I love me some ankle boots. :D

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Okay! Another ‘they are not mumsy’ vote for Mumsies!! Yay!

  13. Haley says:

    Not “mumsy” at all! It’s all about practical application. :)

    I L-O-V-E boots!!!!! For years, it’s all I’ve worn in the winter time. They look nice, keep the snow off my feet, comfortable, keep the snow off my feet, are versatile, keep the snow off my feet……

    The only kind I don’t buy in to are the over the knee boots. I really think they have to be PERFECT for you in order to work. A few weeks ago, we were at a college football game, and one of the female ESPN reports was traipsing along the sidelines in a pair of cream thigh-high boots. She’s very fit and attractive, but the only thing you saw when you looked at her was the cankles. The boots gave her cankles. Not cute. Not cute at all.

  14. Claudia Welch says:

    Oooh, cankles. Must always avoid the cankles. That poor woman. Doesn’t she have any friends???

  15. Carla C says:

    I have those..umm..”private” boots – the ones that go up to the thigh, lace up, with a 6 inch platform heel. To be quite frank, I have tried to wear other boots – in public, but none felt as good or made me look as good.
    I might splurge on a pair of Doc Martens I saw that have the Union Jack on the inside – I know I can and most likely will wear them out in public :)
    Also remember that fad with the Ugg boots.
    I think that shoes are a way to accessorize so yes I have a closet full, and remember no style is “mumsy”.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Oh, yes, certain things are mumsy. Like Mom Jeans. Mumsy to the max.

      However, Mumsies are not mumsy. It has been decided by popular vote. :)

  16. pjpuppymom says:

    I still have a pair of gorgeous rust colored suede boots that I bought in the 70′s when I was in college. They’re in great condition and guess what? They’re back in style! (See this is why I never clean out my closet. lol!)

    Claudia, we had 700 people waiting in line when we opened the store where I work at midnight on Black Friday. At least 80% of those people went straight for ladies boots.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      You are so smart!!! I wish a million times over I had my Frye boots from college.

  17. Julie says:

    I absolute adore boots! :) I actually need to get another pair of snow boots, I call them. I had bought them when we went to see the hub’s family in Utah one Christmas, and I wore them here in Texas too. They at light tan and went up to mid-calf, with a good rubber sole to reduce slipping on slick ice, and they only had the fur lining on the top so they weren’t unbearably hot, but did keep my feet nice and toasty on cold and wet days (in the winter in Texas, it’s usually cold AND wet, darn it). I’ve worn these so much, the lining inside is now messed up, so I need to try to find another pair, and have been unsuccessful so far.

    I also have what I used to call granny boots when I was a teen, that I now call Victorian boots. ;) I wore them with my witch costume for Halloween, but have also worn with some long skirts. I love them! They only have about a 1.5 inch heel and their black. They also have a sneaky little inside zipper so I can leave the laces alone. ;)

    And, my pirate boots, which I love, but very rarely wear. They are a higher heel…3.5 inches. As I’m on the tall side at 5’8.5″, they make me feel absolutely Amazonian. And, they also KILL my feet because I so rarely wear heels that high anymore. But, they look absolutely uh-MAZ-ing, so I suffer through it on occasion! ;)

    Also have several ankle boots that I wear to work, all with a 2 inch heel or less. A couple in black and a couple in brown…love them! :)

    1. Claudia Dain says:

      You are the boot queen! So many fun styles!

  18. Kristina says:

    I love boots. I’ve been slowly adding to my collection over the past 5 years.
    I have 2 pairs of knee black boots, one high and one flat. Two pairs of brown boots, one mid calf and one knee.

    I also have a pair of mumsies, but we call them cheater boots. ;)

    I wish I had more pairs of skinny jeans or any pairs of leggings. I love my boots and want to show them off. I also wear them with skirts, short or long.

    I have a pair of Bean boots that I wear year round depending on the weather. I can’t stand having wet feet.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I wear skinny jeans day in and day out—if only I wore boots to really sell the look! My Mumsies are going to have to do the job on their own.

      You have so many boots! Now you need to get skinnies to pair them with. Is there anything more adorable than a short skirt with boots?

      No, there is not!

  19. Sheridan says:

    I loooove boots. Unfortunately, even at my thinnest, my calves have always been too big for anything above the ankle – which makes me want them more. Stupid calves. (I can’t really complain, they are solid as tree trunks – just nowhere near dainty)

    So it’s booties for me and right now, I am sorely lacking any cute ones, but have some I have been eyeballing on zappos.

    What’s odd is that most of the women I hang with have always loved boots and continued to wear them. I think the difference is how they are worn – for a long time they did not wear them over jeans as much – but always with skirts and dresses. with the onslaught of skinny jeans *shudder* many are wearing them on the outside more.

    but this is just the observation of a rather unfashionable, not at all trendy, person :)

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Zappos is my sworn enemy, or rather the sworn enemy of my budget. My feet love them.

      Love my skinny jeans! They make me look taller than flared pants. :)

  20. Janae says:

    Back in the late 70s, I had a pair of moon boots, for winter that I absolutely hated. They just weighed me down. Of course, being in kindergarten and one of the shortest kids in the class didn’t help either. They made me hate boots for a few years. By 4th grade I got a pair of grey suede boots that I could wear unfolded, and they’d be knee length; or wear them folded at ankle length. I LOVED the boots. In middle school I wore granny boots that I wish had been turn of the last century granny boots. To this day I’m still looking for a pair to wear. By high school I alternated between wearing “riding” and ankle boots.

    I’ve been wearing boots for the last 5 or 6 years. My favorite pair are vintage campus boots that my bil stripped the color and re-dyed them for me. People always ask me if they’re Frye’s, and I always say, ‘No clue, they’re vintage.’ I’ve 2 pairs of cowboy boots – both vintage. One pair I picked up somewhere, and then, there’s my grandma’s boots. They have butterflies on them. I’ve 2 pairs of booties (black) not at all ‘mumsy,’ a pair of black riding boots, 2 pairs of black boots with heels, and a pair of faux Uggs that were the single best purchase for a November concert at the Hollywood Bowl. I never got cold.

    I’ve learned to never get rid of any shoes because they all come back in style.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I have always wanted a pair of cowboy boots but the few times I’ve tried on a pair they were so uncomfortable! I’ve heard that you really have to break them in but I’m too cranky for that now. I want shoes (Merrill, I love you) to feel perfect from the start.

      1. Janae says:

        You should try Miz Mooz boots and shoes. They feel perfect from the start.

        I’m glad that my grandma’s boots were broken in because it makes them easier to wear. Although, they are a little tricky to get on and off. I think I need to find a boothorn(?) for them

  21. Kate says:

    I love boots and I am thrilled they are back! Of course like the last time – I sadly have no money to buy them.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      LOL Ain’t it the truth? The price! Eee gads!

  22. Christie Ridgway says:

    I noticed boots were everywhere and on everyone on Black Friday in SoCal (and it was 75 degrees). I bought an adorable pair of Uggs last year (dif. style than the usual) and bought a pair of past-the-knee gray ones on the day after T-giving. Did try to find yet another “mumsy” style pair on Sunday for dh to give me as a Christmas gift…but none were just right. Still on the hunt!

    We’re usually more of a flip flop crowd here in SoCal, but even we’re succumbing to the boot craze!

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Try Merrill’s for Mumsies. You will thank me.

  23. Julia London says:

    Love boots, have boots. Black knee high, brown Ugg boots, colorful rain boots, kickass bootie boots, and my favorite, my red cowboy boots.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I want red cowboy boots! Will you break them in for me, Julia?

  24. Karen Hawkins says:

    Claudia, no, you have never EVER been mumsy in you life, even when you were being a mum (as if we ever stop).

    I love boots. I have two pair of riding style boots, several ankle boots, a pair of rainboots, and oh, many, many others. I love that the flat heels are back in style, too, although I have some heeled ones, too.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I will die if I ever turn mumsy. Just die!

  25. CateS says:

    I only own snow boots.. not a shoe person…

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Not a shoe person.

      I am trying to process that. I’m having a difficult time with that. ;)

  26. dbrown3400 says:

    After losing sixty pounds, my legs are finally skinny enough for boots. I’ve asked for a pair of Uggs for Christmas. I may get lucky because I sat at the computer with DD#1 and picked out the style, size and color. I don’t know if she hit the order button or not, but I’m hoping. She wears boots all the time and might appreciate my desire to have a pair.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      How fun!! Congratulations to you!!!

  27. Suzanne Enoch says:

    In my mind I’m a big-time sexy-leg boot wearer. In the mirror, not so much. *g*

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      ROFL Well, you could get a new mirror.

  28. Kathleen O says:

    I am not a big “boot” person these days. But in my younger days, I had a few pair.. These days it just one pair of winter boots.. And they are just your standard snow boot..
    Oh to have those high healed burgandy suede boots back again… sighhhhhhh…

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      WHY did we throw out our boots?! It’s like we were insane.

  29. Cheri Champagne says:

    I like boots, but I’m all for practicality. I have gumboots for the rainy/muddy weather, and I’ve got winter boots for the snow. Nothing with high heels, as I stopped wearing those when I had kids. It’s not practical to chase 2 and 3 year olds around wearing heels…

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I still love the look of a heel. On someone else. ;)

  30. Lori P says:

    My daughter and I both have so many pairs of boots. Riding boots, furry boots, ankle boots, cowboy boots, lace-up boots and HD riding boots. A few pairs even have heels. Love the boots!!

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Wow. Riding boots. You just won Deb Marlowe’s heart.

  31. Deb Marlowe says:

    I only have one pair. We all know I appreciate Men in Boots–far more interesting! :-)

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      One pair. . . and counting!

  32. Ginger Robertson says:

    You are funny, mumsy boots! And, no I don’t have any and don’t plan to purchase any boots. Here it can be 80 – 90 degrees and the folks around here will be in their boots – what the???? Seriously, you will look cute in those boots when it’s 50 outside, but not in the 80s’, I want to say “Are you completely nuts”? I don’t get it and yes, I know I have hot flashes and such, but come on….

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I agree. Boots in hot weather . . . I don’t know how they do it. Boots in rainy summer weather, sure.

  33. Sabrina Jeffries says:

    I really, really love boots and didn’t realize they’d ever gone OUT of style. But maybe that’s because I don’t wear them, since I CAN’T wear them. Aside from difficulty finding ones that fit, I don’t have the sort of shapely leg that looks good in boots. Anything that calls attention to my lower legs is a mistake.

    But I bet you look FABULOUS in them!

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      There are always boots to be found, but they’ve come back in fashion with a roar heard round the world. There are so many styles! You can literally get anything you want in a boot. I, of course, have chosen to go Mumsie.

  34. Madeline Hunter says:

    I’m a wannabe boot wearer. Always have been. Love the look and think they are cool. But I have never worn fashion boots. Too uncomfortable and hot. I have owned them only to have them languish in the closet.
    We are pretty behind on this new boot fad. Four years ago I was in Italy and all the women were in boots—the flat ones specifically. The next year, as expected, they infiltrated here but it has taken a pretty long time for the trend to crest (which is what seems to be happening this year.)
    But I could do a whole Pininterest board on cool boots I wish I would wear.

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      I love watching fashion trends move across the globe. It doesn’t surprise me it started in Italy. Those fashionable Italians!

  35. Karen H near Tampa says:

    No boots these days–I live in Tampa and it’s too hot (80 degrees again today)! But when I was young and lived up north I had a lovely pair of natural colored (as in “tan so light it was more like ivory”) suede boots with a fringe on the side. I always got compliments when I wore them (even from men). And later, when cowboy fashions were in, I did have a pair of cowboy boots that I liked a lot. But I only want to wear boots when it’s really cold (and did I mention I wore sandals to work today?) and it’s rare enough here I just don’t need to use up the closet space. But I do love those over-the-knee red boots at the top of the page!

    1. Claudia Welch says:

      Boots are for cold weather, no doubt. I remember seeing those fringed boots! They were awesome.

  36. Freshechelle says:

    Late to the party again.

    Yeah boots have been part of the NYC uniform for about 3 winters now – the more pirate-y, the better. My calves shut me out of be look – I’m filled with envy. I do have a massive ankle boot collection to make up for it – but their not as hot as knee high.

    You’re not a bit mumsy.

  37. Pamiam says:

    My boots are all short. I just bought my daughter knee high boots for Christmas and my DIL also wears them.
    I did have a pair of beige suede lace all the way up to the knee boots when I was a teenager. I loved those boots especially with the short dresses I wore back when I had the figure to do so. :-)

  38. TinaF says:

    I have snow boots; feed horses boots, work boots and go to town boots.

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