Quick Snow Boots Question about Colours

Angie

Ladies, do you recommend a particular colour that is more versatile - practically in weather conditions, AND to combine in outfits? My sugar eye goes straight to the whites, but I don't know if that's a good idea?

Your fast response is appreciated because I'd like to link to this thread in my comment on today's blog post too.

Thanks. xo

10 years ago

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from kristinarouse

Aziraphale

Veteran

I missed the first thread on snow boots, and although I live in the same neck of the woods as you, I do own some, because I'm a skier. I go for the whites, too, not because they are practical but because it's what I like. However, I will mention that white snow boots turn yellow over time, and possibly even brown in places, too.

As far as versatility, I find white snow boots are fine. I imagine brown or tan would be versatile, too. Also black, but it always looks a little heavy to my eye in contrast to all that snow!

10 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

I purchased my both my Sorels and my short Hunter boots in black. The one pair is for cold and snow and the other is for wet, slushy conditions.

I am generally wearing blue, black or gray denim when I sport these so I feel like they blend well and don't cut off my already short legs. Also, I have coats in navy, black, red and turquoise and the black boots work with them all.

I wouldn't personally buy white. Snow and slush can get pretty dirty and they will end up looking dingy fast.

10 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Hi Angie, I think it depends on the weather conditions - if you are inside quite a bit, or if you don't get a ton of snow and are just dealing with cold, then white would LOOK terrific. BUT if, like me and many other Ontarians and others, your realistic winter activities includes walking through slush and salt and muck, then a darker color is better - the salt stains are more noticeable on a darker color but can often be washed off; whereas the dirt on white might be harder to deal with. Perhaps a light neutral like gray would be a better alternative to white while still being somewhat more practical. Just imho. Hope that helps!

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, E. I think black snow boots look great with black puffers and black hair. I don't like the idea of black snow boots for my own style. I do like the idea of cognac, and the inks look interesting too. But I would like to have a white pair - just because.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, TG and Marilyn. Your reasoning makes sense. You could also bookend the colour of dark snow boots with a hat and scarf.

10 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

It's true black snow boots work well with gals with black hair. And as you know, I'm a fan of black in general. It's just a personal thing -- for me, snow boots should be white. Because, snow!

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cheers, Elisabeth. I love seeing white outfits in the snow. (Well. I like seeing white outfits all year round, actually).

10 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

Aziraphale.....In a perfect world snow would be white and pristine. But in Ottawa only freshly fallen snow is white. It quickly becomes mixed with dirt.....and don't even get me started with the dog poop that too many people leave ON the sidewalk to disolve into the whole messy lot. I frequently rinse off my black boots in the laundry tub because they get dirty fast.

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I like medium to dark grey as softer than black but able to hide the dirty snow stains pretty well. Brown would be another choice if it went with a coat.
Black often shows salt marks when snow melts on them.

10 years ago

Quietgirl

Veteran

During last year's polar vortex, the snow stayed and stayed. It got dirtier by the week. Black boots get my vote for staying acceptable-looking for most of the time. Grey might even be better. I have one pair I save for the wettest, saltiest days. As things dry out a bit, I get out my nicer boots.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Chiming in here. My snow boots are charcoal (and the short ones are lighter grey) for all the reasons mentioned. I wouldn't mind giving a white pair a try -- but they'd need to be super-cleanable because slush is INCREDIBLY dirty -- dirtiest thing known to human kind. It's a mixture of snow, salt, and (in my city) sand (which they use in addition to salt to reduce the slip factor) so it's really, really grimy.

Now you know why people don't wear their footwear in others' homes in winter!

White *sounds* so nice and fresh in theory, but I fear it would only be practical in fresh snow. Which lasts for about one hour around here.

Dark taupe might work if it could be found....

10 years ago

Anonymous

Those white LLBeans sure are cute - and tempting, but every pair of white Sorel's (the only brand I've noticed who does white boots) I've seen turn yellow in a pretty short period of time . The yellow is , well, not attractive I have so many pair of snow boots that I don't even notice what colour they are - honestly it's all about design, function and trim. I prefer neutrals, no colours. Cognac/grey combos are very sophisticated and look Aspen-ish

10 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Black

10 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Marilyn -- ew ew ew! I see your point. It's very true that we don't have to contend with much 'old snow' in Vancouver...here, it does snow occasionally, but it tends not to last long before it gets washed away in the rain. The local mountains always have snow, though, and because it's not subject to cars and dogs, it tends to stay beautiful and white!

Neutal non-white colours it is, then.

10 years ago

Marilyn

Veteran

LOL, Aziraphale. Sorry for the gross factor. When everything is covered in snow and the sidewalks are lined with snow banks the poor pups are left with just the sidewalk for their business. My little guy gets so confused when the snow first arrives......with no grass he doesn't know what to do. As a daily dog walker, people who don't pick up are a major pet peeve of mine.

10 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Grey and brown get my vote too. White snow boots may be great in the rural setting where snow stays cleaner but in the city it dirties very quickly.
Black does show snow stains more than lighter colors.

10 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Black, grey, olive, brown, blue, pattern...

Whites will get filthy fast in my climate - slush, mud, salt, etc. Cute but highly impractical.

10 years ago

K.M.

Veteran

Another vote for grey for the reasons mentioned: versatile; not as heavy-looking as black; and dirt is not as visible (whether whitish salt stains or brown and black mud and grime stains).

10 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Black or charcoal for me. Works best with my outfits and outerwear and hides dirt.

I'm not into white footwear (except for summer sandals and sneaks) so white snow boots would not appeal to me.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

I actually like to have fun with winter footwear, so my snowboots are brown with green plaid - I bought them because I was so drawn to them aesthetically and they are a super warm brand (Pajar): totally functional, unique, and interesting. I wear them with whatever coat or jacket I put on, including my bright pink peacoat. I don't even think about bookending or matching when there is a foot of snow or slush. That said, it will be kind of fun this year to wear them with my tan cocoon coat and be stylish this year, but that is a bonus and not a plan.

10 years ago

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I have two pair - one brown slip on pair, worn only for commuting, shoveling, walking Cosmo Edward, and quick runs to the store. The other pair is back and gray, more fashionable, and I wear those with casual outfits when I won't be changing from boots into shoes.

10 years ago

Style Fan

Veteran

Okay I agonize about the colour of everything except snow boots. I only care that my snow boots keep my feet dry and warm and that I can walk long distances in them in deep snow with my dog. After that any colour will do. White is probably not a good idea. I do have fashion winter boots. Totally different item.

My boots are black. Sophie's are purple.

10 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Black or black/gray. YOu don't have to worry about discoloration from slush and since I wear a black puffer/gray and black scarf/black bag, I'm coordinated. But then you expected that!!

10 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Exactly what Suz said. You cannot believe the mess that my daughter unknowingly created in the back seat of our car, just by walking from her piano teacher's house, across the street, and into our car. The melting, dirty, grimy slush that is created from salting the roads is wretched. I love the look of white snow boots, but would never buy them. I also don't like the look of black, for me, so I've got charcoal Kamuks, like Suz, and brown Uggs. I've also had some mid-tone brown boots in the past, but they weren't warm enough. The color was nice, however.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, SO much ladies. I appreciate your very sensible suggestions. It all makes lots of sense. I forgot about dirty slush and snow grossness.

Oh...... how I do not enjoy being practical when it comes to the colour of white.

*sad face*

10 years ago

colten

Active Member

Love the idea of white but I have never seen a pair in real life that still look nice after one wearing.

10 years ago

Sheila

Veteran

I find black not practical for the reasons that Suz said. The salt stains are whitish gray and look awful - especially on suede.
I need a utility boot, for running thru slush, outside alot.
I am looking lately for red- anything lately.
AND I need a real "comfort" shoe.
I liked these bear paws in Cranberry .....
They are super warm and comfy.

These Joseph Seibels were also nice but not quite as bright and they come in a gray that may be more practical.

I have two white coats and three red ...so I think a white boot would just be too much for me. I like color on my feet.

Both are reasonable and on the Quarks site. I buy all footwear there.

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I forgot that I once had a pair of hunter green suede snow boots from Eddie Bauer that I wore out. They seemed to defy stains and went with everything. I would buy them again if they were reissued. They were lined with an off white fleece.

10 years ago

cheryl

Veteran

I have two pair of snowboots and they are both pink. They have seemed to stay looking pretty good.

10 years ago

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