My approach to footwear has always been a little … delusional. Not in a bad way — more in a “I will look chic if it’s 19 degrees and sleeting” kind of way. When the cold feels unbearable, the sun sets at 4:30 p.m. and life generally feels like it’s bullying us, I find joy in the small things — like the perfectly chosen shoe that makes an otherwise depressing winter outfit feel intentional. But here’s the twist: I can’t bring myself to actually sacrifice all practicality. I’m not trying to lose all ten toes on my walk to Mason Hall.
So, grab a blanket. Let me lay out how I survive the cruelest season while still dressing like I have an image to uphold. I make sure the soles aren’t bare because nothing ruins chic faster than falling on ice. I buy my winter shoes a half size up so I can wear thick knit socks. And I refuse to step outside in anything that feels fussy or uncomfortable, because once the cold hits, we’re already battling enough. With that, let’s dive into the shoes that take me through winter with a bit of delusional confidence and a lot of intentional styling.
Ballet flats with leg warmers
Nothing feels more “I’m committed to the aesthetic” than wearing ballet flats in winter. It should work — practically and even spiritually. The soft layering adds unexpected texture and warmth while keeping the outfit playful and refined. It becomes this soft, unexpected statement that feels elevated. There’s something magical about a ballet flat paired with a textured leg warmer and an oversized coat that makes an entire outfit look artfully effortless. It’s very “I’m cold, but I’m chic about it.” In a season dominated by bulky coats and layered bottoms, the slim silhouette of a ballet flat balanced by the leg warmer, sharpens the look in a way boots simply cannot. Even with freezing temperatures, the dainty flat brings balance to the structured volume happening everywhere else. It feels almost editorial, like something you’d see in a street-style roundup from Copenhagen Fashion Week: all wind, all layering, all ballerina energy.
Loafers
Loafers just might be the most underrated winter shoe out there. People forget that loafers are shockingly winter-friendly when styled right. They’re sturdy, dry and, when paired with the right sock, cozily practical. A loafer holds up in the winter slush far better than you’d expect, and there is quiet confidence in wearing something so streamlined in the dead of winter. A good loafer brings structure and calm to a look overwhelmed by layers. Huge scarf? Giant coat? Wide-leg trousers hiding thermal leggings? The loafer anchors everything back to a clean line. They give an old-world sophistication that makes even the simplest outfit look curated. Something about stepping onto an icy sidewalk in a loafer says, “Yes, I am aware of the weather, but refuse to submit to it.” And honestly, that’s the spirit of winter dressing that I love.
Of course, sometimes a real winter boot is necessary — but even then, I still want it to look intentional. This is where the Inuikii boots come in. They’re warm (genuinely warm), padded and protective, but, thanks to their silhouette, they never feel heavy or aggressive. They’re the rare winter boot that still understands proportions and shape. I love the added softness without the outfit-ruining clunk. They complement chunky knits without overwhelming them. They give that post-après-ski energy, but make it city chic. It’s the priceless winter duality of “I could be going to brunch or I could be about to wander through fresh snow in Switzerland.”
Onitsuka Tiger Snow Heaven boots
I genuinely cannot decide if I love or hate this shoe. Every time I see a photo, I oscillate between “Absolutely not” and “Wait … is this actually genius?” They sit in that uncanny valley of winter footwear where something feels borderline fugly but in a way that might actually be considered high fashion if the right person styled them. I think that’s my problem: I need to see someone effortlessly pull them off before I can emotionally commit. But conceptually? I’m obsessed. The faux fur trimming is undeniably fun, the silhouette toes that line between retro and functional and there’s something unserious about a boot that could survive a snowstorm and a runway moment. They’re warm, they’re weird, they’re a little chaotic — and I kind of love that. If someone on campus serves in these, I will instantly become a believer.
I know, I know — this entire article is about winter shoes that aren’t Uggs. But allow me to break my own rule for a moment: the Ugg ballet flat deserves a mention because it has me utterly, irredeemably hooked. They are absurd. They are indulgent. They are a little scandalous. I love them — the plush, pillowy softness, the rounded slipper vibe, the way they make zero sense and yet somehow feel morally victorious. And yet, my feet will get soaked. They are not for slush. They are not for puddles. They are not for any weather involving even the faintest drizzle. And still, I cannot look away. It feels almost sinful, a delicious little rebellion against logic and practicality. These shoes start as a joke, morph into a guilty obsession and, before you know it, they’re showing up in every coffee shop from November to February, mocking my better judgment. Will they become a full-blown trend? Perhaps not. But I will watch, scandalously enthralled, every step of the way.
Winter might be long, cold and aggressively inconvenient, but at least the shoes can stay interesting. And if I’m going to risk frostbite, rest assured: I’m doing it in style.
Daily Arts Contributor Ashanti Mirelez can be reached at amirelez@umich.edu.
