I got a coupon in the mail for some good deals on early season boots at DSW, so I went! — despite the fact that it was 92 degrees with nary a cloud in the sky.
Thankfully for me and my feet, DSW has the answer to navigating this very confusing time of year between summer and fall, and the answer is something I call “transitional booties.”
Did you laugh like a teenage boy when I said, “transitional booties”? Because I crack up every time I say it, ha ha ha!
So, what is a transitional bootie? Well, they’re ankle boots, usually made from suede or leather, that you can wear with summery dresses or your favorite fall pant/cozy sweater combo, and they go with everything during that weird in-between phase between summer and fall.
My favorite type of transitional booties are perforated ankle booties.
They have the little hole cutouts in the shoe material, a la instant air conditioning for your feet. On warm days, you can wear them without socks, and perhaps with a dress.
And on cool days…socks!
I really like the Rizzo by Baretraps because of the low heel and the rounded toe.
Super comfy.
I also like the Dr. Scholl’s Best Day Bootie. This one is SUPER cute in person, especially in the Olive option, which is a dark, rich green khaki that functions as a neutral.
You’d think that khaki boots wouldn’t match with much, but they’re surprisingly wearable. I bought a pair of boots in a similar color years ago, and to this day, I can wear them with everything.
Speaking of things that can work as neutrals…I’ve come to realize that leopard print goes surprisingly well with a wide variety of outfits.
But what if you aren’t into prints? Well, how about a bootie with some buckles instead? Or, how about the simple lines of a plain ankle boot that helps your outfit really shine.
I’m a big fan of the suede ones… Is it just me, or do they seem a little less like “cold weather” shoes than leather booties?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rachel says
September 16th, 2019 at 6:15 pmThese have come to be my favorite type of boots and I wear them all fall and winter. I got 2 pair by Madewell at the Nordstrom anniversary sale that will replace an ancient pair of Crown Vintage ones I have.
Kate says
September 17th, 2019 at 4:59 amLove the first shoe you featured. Goes really well with your outfit, which I may copy if I ever get out of my T-shirt and joggers rut! Thanks for the inspiration.
Ruchita says
September 17th, 2019 at 6:06 amI love your DSW posts! It’s like taking a virtual tour of the store. 🙂 Those Dr. Scholl’s booties are cute. I find that brand to be very comfortable.
I am digging the ones that have some kind of perforation or texture. It adds a little bit of interest to the look.
Angela says
September 17th, 2019 at 8:36 amI must say, I’m intrigued by the sliver of snakeskin boots beside the first pair you photographed. I am a fairly conservatively dressed person, so having fun shoes like that with a wee bit of edge would be a neat contrast 😉 These are just the right type of shoes for this part of the year – too early for proper boots but too warm for sandals/flats anymore 🙁 booooo I’ll miss summer!!
Meca Johnson says
September 17th, 2019 at 8:38 amThank you for this awesome post it was like a virtual post 🤗 I’m more anxious now to get into these booties!
Maxine says
September 17th, 2019 at 10:19 amWOW Karen, you do look like Ali Wong! I can totally see it now.
You are beautiful either way.
Jennifer says
September 17th, 2019 at 11:22 amI have something very similar to the Bleecker ones with the cross straps but in gray, which isn’t neutral enough for me. I also adore the Scholl and the Madden and the leopard print! And the little pink one photo bombing you!
Tatiana says
September 17th, 2019 at 3:04 pmI like how low cut those booties are. To me that’s the detail that makes them a good transition bootie. Once they’re two the three inches above my ankle bone, I think of them as fall/winter booties. I wish the DSW near me hadn’t closed, the nearest one is now 30 minutes away and I’m not about to spend all that time and gas to just to save money on shoes. That said, you’ve posted pics of some really cute booties.
Karen says
September 18th, 2019 at 9:42 amI would be low-key non-functional if the one by my house closed. It’s seriously where I go when I need to just get away for a bit (doesn’t hurt that there’s a Starbuck’s next door, and See’s Candies a block away.)
I think I remember you mentioning that you live walking distance from Nordstrom? NOW THAT IS HEAVEN!
Tatiana says
September 18th, 2019 at 2:26 pmBeing walking distance from Nordstrom is not heaven, it’s torture on my wallet. I wish The Rack was walking distance, lol! Dear Daughter lives near a Rack and I had to take her off my Nordstrom card and tell her she’s on her own now. (I put her on it when she went away to college, you know, in case of emergencies.)
There’s a See’s in the same mall location with the Nordstrom. I justify it by, I’ve just walked 5,000 steps. Lol.
Chelsea says
September 17th, 2019 at 3:19 pmLove! I need to pick up some fall shoes – since my foot injury, i have to be more picky with footwear. I need some new combat boots too, mine have outlived their lifespan,RIP.
Karen says
September 18th, 2019 at 9:41 amUgh, don’t you hate that? It’s hard to let your best boots go!
Kim says
September 19th, 2019 at 12:03 pmOh, I’m sorry, were you talking about shoes? I was too distracted by the adorable girl in the awesome tutu. HAHA! Seriously, who wouldn’t want to wear that tutu? But I agree with you on the olive Dr. Scholls. That’s a great fall color. Suede shoes have a very short lifespan in these parts but I had a slightly lighter olive pair from J Crew back in the day and loved them. These days, I like the look of the knee high boots. Well, I like how they look on very thin models. It wouldn’t be quite the same on shorter, squatter me. 🙂