Shoe Shoppies
It started with winter boots—more specifically, trying to find a replacement for my beloved Penelope Chilvers Incredible Boots. Some years ago, a British friend told me my boots were uncool and that I could not wear them in London. As a result, for the past four years I have been searching for an alternative. However, most of the cold-weather boots I’ve been drawn to—and tried—have a combat vibe, which is a firm no-go in my book. So, fourteen years on, I am still wearing and loving my Penelope Chilvers boots.
Frustrated by my failure to find new winter boots, I more or less stopped shopping altogether. But the cold snap snapped me out of my shopping doldrums—February and –17° will do that. Not needing winter boots turned out to be oddly freeing and allowed me to look at other shoes instead.
First, I picked up a new pair of Dries Van Noten sneakers. I’ve been wearing the tan pair for a year and felt it was time for a new color. Next, inspired by the Prada SS26 runway images, I went in search of new white pumps. I already own a few pairs and find them incredibly versatile. The Gabriela Hearst Agathe pumps in ivory are perfect—and very comfortable. A heads-up: they run very small. Finally, I wanted something fun and completely impractical. These Loewe boots are just the ticket, and they’re surprisingly comfortable too.
:
Reality check, 2,000 dollar boots is completely out of
A real normal person’s budget!
I too am on the hunt for a great winter/apres ski boot. I’ve always loved the Penelope Chilvers boot. I am not opposed to a combat boot, especially since it’s a battle against the elements!
I think the Penelope Chilvers look great !! They remind me of the taller Kandahar Alpina boot a St Moritz classic
worn by many chic women .
Who told you they aren’t cool ??
x o Brooke
Then, kic is not for you, Aida. I will not be shamed into limiting what I post. Reality check, kic is free—no subscription fee—and I no longer use affiliate links. I post because I enjoy sharing.
I would love a future post about the versatility of white pumps! I grew up in the days when white shoes were limited primarily to our Easter outfits. I’d buy a pair now if I could figure out how to make them work with a variety of outfits.
I love the Penelope Chilvers boots too! So warm, cozy, and Nordic chic!
Preston, Pay absolutely no attention to the mean, negative posts. We love you and KIC!!!
Nobody forces to buy you 2000 dollar shoes, Aida.
2000 dollar boots are out of my budget as well but I appreciate KIC and I am thankful that KIC is not on Substack and free of charge.
Greetings from France to Preston and all lovely KIC community
I look so forward to your posts, and really appreciate the fact that you are old school, with no subscription affiliation Preston.
I love that you bring style class and yummy goodies to your KIC gang.
Keep it up !
I miss the affiliate links that were in the KIC store. I wish you would bring it back. You listed some REALLY good items.
I can relate to your winter boots search! I have been looking for knee high shearling -lined winter boots to no avail. Barney’s used to make a variety of well-made shearling lined boots-I fortunately still have these, all ankle height. There is just not much available in the US- I think one needs to go to ski resorts in Europe at the start of the season to find something good.
I can only imagine the frustrations in finding the best all around winter boots, but since I have lived in the south for the last 13 years it is a conundrum I don’t have. Ha! Now, those Loewe boots are so fabulous and mod that I would wear them any chance I got and with everything! I won’t beat up on Aida, I understand where she is coming from. BUT, if you have followed KiC from the beginning, you will know that Preston shares beautiful pieces in all price ranges. It is her expertise from years in the industry, but more so her good eye for lasting fashion that many like me don’t possess. And as she said, she shares it with us for free. In this day of Substacks and insincere influencer overload, I am so grateful for it.
KIC offers a range of reviews, opinions and options, much like the NYT and New Yorker websites, where you can read informed reviews of books, plays, movies, restaurants and music. I may never read the book, see the movie or show, eat at the restaurant or listen to the music, but I love knowing what’s out there.
Penelope Chilvers are so very cool…most especially if you, Preston, are wearing them. Wishing I had them, this very minute, to walk the streets of NY now!
It seems that attempting to please the masses with lower price points hinders creators and waters down their point of view. They all end up linking to the handful of giant retailers who make identical versions of the same (shoddy) thing. And I end up not trusting them. Preston’s pov is inspiring and a nice mix of high and low that’s based on taste not price.
I love my Ludwig Reiter apres-ski ankle boots, shearling-lined and waterproof. Definitely recommend!
Like Brooke, I think the boots are very St. Moritz and positively chic. Real winter demands real boots, there’s no getting around it!
For Rebecca – Gorsuch offers shearling and fur boots, as well as a cozy shearling lined suede loafer that I can personally vouch for.
Preston, I like your response above. Personally, I’m completely unapologetic about my tastes and spending choices.
I too am not in a position to purchase those boots. However, many, if not all of the items posted can be taken as inspiration for finding similar things at many different price points. I enjoy seeing Preston’s choices, which is why I follow her posts. No one is twisting anyone’s arm to buy any item…I for one (and many others) like to see the choices. I also enjoy reading the comments and suggestions of others, so I will continue following.
Thank you Preston!
Dear Preston,
I love all your posts–they can be affordable or aspirational! I’m just finishing up one of your recommendations–Harper Lee’s “The Land of Sweet Forever.” I have thorougly enjoyed it, and it’s accessible to everyone on Amazon.
Thank you,
Linda
“British friend told me my boots were uncool and that I could not wear them in London. “
Preston I trust your judgement and by transitive property, those of your friends. But those boots have been on my wishlist, would like to better understand why the people in the know have decided they’re uncool!
Aida, I understand the sticker shock. Many items on this blog are more than most of us are willing to pay. In saying that, I find wonderful suggestions for books, music, and IG accounts. I take the fashion ideas here as inspiration. For example, I have adapted the Adidas Spezials for the sneakers shown above. They are still pricey but a better fit for my budget.
I would also appreciate a future post on styling ideas for white pumps…. I am intrigued!
I appreciating seeing the items you purchase – the luxe, fun and somewhat impractical items as well as the wardrobe workhorses. Those boots definitely have the wow factor!
I wore my Penelope Chilver boots in So. California winters for years, after discovering them on your blog. One of my dogs got to them, and I never replaced them. My feet get cold, so I’ll be getting another pair. Thanks for the reminder.
Preston, your community never ceases to amaze me. While the first comment leaned negative, I hope you choose to focus on the overwhelming support that said comment brought to light. The world is made up of all different walks of life, price points, interests, etc… and it would be disingenuous to change your views (and posts) to meet someone where they are instead of being where you are. We are all here for your take, your sage advice and your chic recommendations.
Your blog is such a special place on the internet. I vividly remember when I first found it, and you seemed to say exactly what I was thinking. (At the time, we were focused on the Phoebe Philo for Celine ballerina flats. What was that? 2016? 2018?) The fact that you do not monetize speaks volumes. Thank you for your continuous excellent posts, I appreciate them more than you know.
So appreciate your recommendations and insights, and the community you’ve created here!
While many items on this blog are out of my budget, I still appreciate the inspiration and taste of KIC. And often times, there are items in my price range so I appreciate that, too. Please know that I love your posts!
As a long time reader of KiC who has found inspiration in many of the posts and comments alike, I can see how some of the newer readers can get confused and take this blog for one of those that purport to provide guidance for office, party, street wear, etc. dressing. There are many of those and they absolutely have their place under the sun, but a great thing about posts by the fashion insiders (such as Preston) is that they offer a starting point of research in trends and directions the art of fashion is taking. This is more similar to what one gets from watching couture shows than from a step-by-step recommendations on how to get office ready. My only ‘gripe’ is that I wish we could enjoy the KiC posts more often! 😉
Preston,
I am still wearing my Penelope Chilvers Incredible Boots today. I first heard of them from you, oh I don’t know, has it been 15 years? I have the Pink & olive ones and I always get compliments – so, no I don’t care if they are out of date. Every time I wear them, they remind me of my childhood growing up in Germany. And, thank you for introducing me to them!