collegiate appropriate winter footwear

Dependent upon where you attend college, many students face the predicament of what to wear on their feet come winter-time when sloshing around in snow and slush wearing ballet flats or peep-toe pumps is simply out of the question. Boots of some fashion are usually necessary for the winter months. Of course, you’ll want to ensure that your boots of choice fit in with your overall style genre. One thing to remember is that a decent quality boot is an investment - sure, it may set you back now, but in the long run, being able to wear the same timeless boot year after year sure beats having to purchase a new pair every winter because the cheap-o ones you bought last snow-season wore out. Before you reach for the ever popular (but oh, so … ugly) UGGs, consider these functional alternatives for a more put-together and stylish way to keep warm and dry.

Chic & Sophisticated
Full lace-ups or riding boots are sleek and polished. They’re clean, classic, and don’t need a lot of detail to make a big statement. Keep them polished and shined for the best effect. Though they're on the high end of the price spectrum for college students, I would highly recommend investing in a beautiful pair of Frye's. If you take good care of them, they will last forever, and are timeless. Big bonus - you can wear them in the spring, summer, and fall, as well as the winter!

Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots, $348.00, Zappos

Frye Melissa Riding Tall, $378.00, Zappos


Casual & Cozy
Duck boots, like these from LL Bean are the quintessential laid-back, homey boot. Many designers, like Sporto, are now emulating this classic style, but why not stick with the original? Sure, they might be a little pricey, but I can attest that they will last you a lifetime and will always be in style – after all, they’ve been selling out of them since 1912. If you have qualms about shopping at an “old fogey” store, try an updated look from Sporto.

L.L.Bean Duck Boots - Shearling Lined, $134.00, L.L.Bean

Sporto Kim, $75.00, Zappos


Sporty & Functional
These boots are all about keeping your feet warm and dry – no frills or fancy details, just straight up functional. I’m a fan of Colombia boots – they’ll withstand just about anything. Plus, they're cute in a "snow bunny" kind of way.

Columbia Bugaboot Omni-Tech, $99.95, Zappos


Urban & Hip
If bulky and/or fuzzy boots are just not your thing, try wellies. You may need to throw on an extra pair of socks to keep you warm, but they are the old standby for keeping you dry when it rains – and what is snow but a different type of water? They come in a multitude of colors and some with cute details like laces. If you’re looking for something a little bit more fashionable, try wellies with wedges to stand out.

Hunter Original Lace, $115.16, Zappos

rsvp Aster, $64.00, Zappos

Trenton Plask W, $76.00, 6pm

Sperry Top-Sider Pelican Wedge Sadie Rubber Boot, $27.98, 6pm