When a snowstorm hit New York during Fashion Week last February, at least one fashionista opted to be carried into a show rather than give up her heels. Indeed, many women would just as soon risk frostbite as don a pair of boots. They’re missing out. From the magnificent mukluks on the market right now to uncommonly gorgeous galoshes, today’s winter footwear doesn’t deserve the cold shoulder. True, a little ingenuity is called for when it comes to incorporating boots into holiday ensembles. But so many brands have upped the ante in terms of what winter boots can be, giving them everything from fuzzy flourishes to satiny sheens, that the marriage of form and function is irresistible. As the pairings on these pages prove, even the heartiest footwear can make compelling accompaniments to glitter and gloss. And at the end of the evening, your feet will be dry as bones – not to mention toasty – on the wintry walk back home.
Shine on
It wouldn’t be holiday style without a little sparkle. Here, MICHAEL Michael Kors’s shimmering sweatshirt plays off the iridescent glow of Cougar’s gunmetal boots.
MICHAEL Michael Kors sweater, $495 through www.michaelkors.com. Skirt, $74.95 at Gap (www.gapcanada.ca). Glamorpuss hat, $350 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Hue tights, $25 at Hudson’s Bay (www.thebay.com). Boots, $140 through www.cougarboots.com. Necklace, $950 at Swarovski (www.swarovski.com).
Mix it up
Want to add some rusticity to an otherwise glam getup? Pair rugged knee-high boots such as these by Roots with a chic little dress marked by feathers and fuzz.
Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman dress, $695, Holt Renfrew Private Label turtleneck, $135 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Liu Jo sweater, $200 through www.liujo.com. Secret Legwear tights, $8.50 at mass retailers across Canada. Boots, $428 at Roots (www.roots.com). Necklace, $128 through www.stelladot.com. Earrings, $85 through www.jondeporter.com.
Get crafty
God – and gorgeousness – are in the details, as this oversized, elaborately patterned sweater paired with well-crafted Maitobah Mukluks boots demonstrates.
Marni sweater, $1,775, Pink Tartan skirt, $325 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Secret Legwear tights, $8.50 at mass retailers across Canada. Boots, $249 through www.manitobah.ca. Ring, $29 through www.stelladot.com.
Pop and go
Brighten up any winter day with a form-fitting sweater in a high-wattage hue; when worn with a lush printed skirt, bold tights and a pair of patent boots, the effect can be dazzling.
Skirt, $275 at Ted Baker London (www.tedbaker.com). Sweater, $199, turtleneck, $275 through www.lineknitwear.com. Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, $119, Glamorpuss hat, $350 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Secret Legwear tights, $8.50 at mass retailers across Canada. Boots, $245 through ca.hunterboots.com. Ring, $39 through www.stelladot.com.
Feel it out
For a take on chalet chic that begs to be touched, combine tactile fabrics such as mohair and brocade. Add to the merry mix with customized gems in rock-candy colours – a glam contrast to a pair of Sorels.
Sweater, $268, skirt, $343 at J.Crew (www.jcrew.com). Secret Legwear tights, $8.50 at mass retailers across Canada. Socks, $18.50 for two pairs at Roots (www.roots.com). Sorel boots, $150 exclusively at Little Burgundy (www.littleburgundyshoes.com). Earrings, $1,150, bracelet and ring, price on request through www.evstenroos.com.
Embrace the fringe
Temper the shine of a sequined pencil skirt with a chunky alpine sweater and textured boots for a look that’s modern après-ski.
Sweater, $390 at Tommy Hilfiger (www.tommy.com). Alice & Olivia skirt, $510 at Holt Renfrew (www.holtrenfrew.com). Secret Legwear tights, $8.50 at mass retailers across Canada. Socks, $18.50 for two pairs at Roots (www.roots.com). Boots, $135 through www.catfootwear.com. Necklace, $5,900 through www.jdj-jewellery.com. Necklace, $147 at J.Crew (www.jcrew.com). Earrings, $20 through www.shopforjayu.com.
Styling by Odessa Paloma Parker. Makeup and hair by Robert Weir for TRESemmé/judyinc.com. Shot on location at Rimrock Resort Hotel and on Sulphur Mountain in Banff National Park, Alberta. Airfare, accommodations and additional support were provided by Travel Alberta, Banff Lake Louise Tourism and Rimrock Resort Hotel. None approved or reviewed this article prior to publication.
On location in Banff, Alta.
An easy hour-and-a-half drive from Calgary, Banff has been a go-to destination for cold-weather buffs for over a century. Whether you choose to spend your days skiing and snowboarding in the bright Alberta sunshine or keeping cozy with a cocktail in front of a roaring fire, the quaint town and its surrounding wilderness provide enough attractions to see visitors through a whole winter.
Where to stay
Perched high above Banff’s bustling main street, Rimrock Resort Hotel (www.rimrockresort.com) offers postcard-perfect views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains. Inside, 343 spacious guest rooms (including a selection of luxurious suites with oversized balconies and cozy fireplaces) overlook an outdoor skating rink and firepit. Globe Style’s home away from home during this shoot also boasts a spa featuring Dermalogica products, a grand lobby lounge and a selection of dining rooms including the Five-Diamond-rated Eden restaurant. Winter room rates start at $179.
Where to eat
Cocktail culture in Banff rivals any big-city scene thanks to the master mixologists at Balkan (www.banffbalkan.ca). Wash down a flaming plate of saganaki with everything from barrel-aged Manhattans to the seasonal Kudos Flip, an eggnog-like mix of rum, sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters. Sleeping Buffalo at Buffalo Mountain Lodge (www.crmr.com) features a wild-game-rich menu – the charcuterie board alone includes elk salami, smoked buffalo and boar pâté – with a focus on mains that incorporate Alberta beef and lamb.
What to do
A short walk from Rimrock are the Banff Upper Hot Springs (www.hotsprings.ca). The stone bathhouse, originally built in 1932, overlooks a pool where vacationers lounge in vintage-style swimsuits available for rent on-site. Post-dip, hop on the Banff Gondola (www.brewster.ca) for an eight-minute ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain, where panoramic views and hiking trails await. Nearby ski hills include Norquay (www.banffnorquay.com) and Sunshine Village (www.sunshine-village.net). For more information, visit www.travelalberta.com and www.banfflakelouise.com. – Andrew Sardone