**Ke$ha’s song Boots and Boys is mandatory listening while reading this blog post**

The weather is starting to cool down, the leaves are starting to change, and I’m waiting for a half hour at Starbucks each time I need a pumpkin-themed beverage. This all can only mean one thing…

IT. IS. BOOT. WEATHER!!!!!

If you’ve never met me in real life, you may not know that I am not the fanciest dresser. I have written before on this blog about how clothing is how I express myself. I don’t wear makeup and I’m too much of a baby to get a tattoo, so clothing is one of my main ways to express my personality. And apparently, my personality is not one of a classy lady…

I’ve never been a fan of heels, as they were just never comfortable enough for me. If I was going to an event that required dressy shoes, I would opt for either wedges, shoes with a chunky heel, or just bypass the height and go with flats. Especially when I went somewhere I would be dancing, flats were just the best bet.

When I used to work in an office, I would wear stretchy or loose-fitting pants with sweaters and stretchy blazers and Sperrys. Sometimes, this look would involve fuzzy socks. If I was feeling particularly fancy, I would switch out my Sperrys for flats or boots. The fuzzy socks, however,  remained. For me, comfort is king when buying clothes. Especially when I’m depressed, I really need to surround myself with comfort. 

Boots and booties are a great alternative for when you want to be fancy, stylish, and comfortable. I have several pairs of heeled boots that I could wear to work and several pairs of booties that are perfect for going out. When I studied abroad in France, I bought my first pair of combat-type boots and wore them so much that I had to go and buy a new pair while I was still there. Even when I was younger, I loved boots. I owned several pairs of knee-high zip up boots (this style unfortunately no longer fits me due to my massive, or rather athletic, calves).

Now, one of my favorite pairs of shoes is a pair of Borne calf-high zip up boots with a medium heel. I found them at the Nordstrom Rack and wandered around holding them for hours debating whether or not to buy them, but thank goodness I did. Those boots are some of the most comfortable shoes I own, and I can dress them up or dress them down. I wear them almost every day from fall through spring. Last time I went shopping with my college roommate, I even made her buy a pair. When my current pair gets worn out, I will undoubtedly buy another pair. Because my shoe loyalty is that strong.

Boots have always been there for me. Boots are there for me when I don’t want the discomfort of heels but still want to feel classy. Boots are there for me when I want to dance the night away in shoes that cover my whole foot. Boots are there for me from work to the bar to shopping trips to apple picking and everything in between.

So while you’re out there in the fall weather reveling in PSL and soup season, I’ll be celebrating #bootszn.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash