Introduction
You don’t need to be a shopaholic or a diva, or even a woman for that matter- to know that an outfit is incomplete without the right footwear. Pairing an outfit with the right shoes & boots can be a hassle for anyone. While choosing between your favorite shoes & boots, you may find yourself torn. More often than not, one finds that one of the factors that make a difference to the overall look is the heel of the chosen footwear.
History
While boots were once used only for outdoor and rugged activities, generally those places where one could expect them to get dirty quite easily, the availability of boots in soft, smooth materials has suddenly made it fashionable for women to use boots in with dresses. More famous for the dominant military style effect, this generally straight laced footwear has become quite popular- more so because of the availability of sturdy, fashionable heeled versions. In fact, more and more women seem to be replacing shoes with boots at formal events. Commonly used for jogging, work and those glittery, formal events of the elite, shoes encompass everything from those gorgeous stilettos to strap up flats. And while it may appear that shoes & boots are the same thing, there have always been subtle differences. Shoes can have flat heels (like in the case of flip flops or the much beloved “flats”). Their heels might also be slightly more elevated but not enough to send you on a one way trip to the doctors. Sandals are a pretty good example of such shoes. These might actually be most gratifying when you try to give yourself a height boost without making it obvious. Then of course, there are the long, tapering heels that we love to hate. “Stiletto” is the name such footwear is given, drawing their name from those well known, thin, sharp daggers.
Features
In general, when comparing heeled shoes & boots, people are actually found to be more comfortable with heeled shoes because their heels are generally considered to be sturdier, and hence the shoe is considered safer. However, as far as safety goes, there are an equal amount of critics who argue that six inch stilettos and go-go boots are equally matched. Because of their rugged history, boots generally are the bulkier of the twain. One would generally find, in the exception of six inch leather boots, that their heels- though they can rival stilettos at times- are generally, comparatively thicker and flatter when compared to high heeled shoes. The well-known Ugg boots might be a good example to use here.
Tips and comments
We would add a note of caution here - one should remember that fashionable shoes & boots must also be functional. Also an unnecessary trip to the doctor’s office might be best avoided. While the heels might be what most people take into account, one must also take into account the entire outfit, not to mention the event one plans on attending. As amazing as those shiny stilettos look, they might not be the best option for a rock concert or a hike. And boots, while they do seem to do wonders for some outfits, might be better left in the closet on some occasions. Thus, the heels and also the look of shoes & boots are a decisive factor.
