i’ve spent the better part of the past week freezing my toes off.  my shoe wardrobe consists, almost entirely, of ballet flats and tall boots.  what can i say?  i’m a california girl at heart. so, when the weather turns cold and rainy, the ballet flats translate to frozen feet…and a girl can’t live on tall boots alone.  so lately, i’ve been on a quest for chic winter shoes – in other words, shoes that can be worn with socks.

turns out, this is easier said than done.  so, after exhaustive searching, i’ve decided to share my favorite finds, in the hopes that i’ll save a few of you from frostbite.

ankle boots are the obvious solution here, of course.  the trick is to keep them from instantly making you look 6 inches shorter, with chunky calves.  my solution is a nice, low shaft, and a nice, high heel.  if you do go flat, i like to keep the top of the boot covered by pants…a classic bootcut is the ultimate problem-solver here.

elizabeth & james distressed leather ankle boot ($245, on sale); sam edelman simone bootie ($99); rosegold suede ankle boots ($178); sam edelman effie bootie ($129)

of course, we can’t live on ankle boots alone.  the oxford has been the ultimate go-to for winter shoes this season, and, while i hate to jump on an overly-trendy bandwagon, i do love this version from barefoot tess (top left).  they’re only made in sizes 11-15, so those of you that have been emailing me, hoping for higher-sized options, here you go!  and if you’re eschewing oxfords, i can’t get over the gold back detail on that little chukka boot from urban outfitters.

clockwise, from top left: barefoot tess byron oxford flat ($69); new kid two-tone oxford ($148); rachel comey bugle boot ($348); rachel comey stamped mars boot ($330).

there will almost certainly be some debate about those two rachel comey styles.  i do agree that the mars, at least, is a bootie…but it defies bootie rules, in that it actually does amazing things for your legs.  and the bugle?  well, i haven’t made up my mind about the shoe/boot status on that one. but i love it nonetheless.

last, i have to show off these “gentleman’s loafers”. they’re modeled after those old-school men’s velvet slippers…the ones you’d wear with an ascot and a smoking robe.  the chicest girls around were wearing these all over the pages of the british fashion magazines this season, which tells me they’ll be hopping the pond in no time.  consider this the perfect opportunity to get ahead of the trend.  i love how these look with a slouched boyfriend jean and maybe a funky-colored sock, but they’d also be amazing with a slim, ankle-length trouser.

clockwise, from top left: matiko studded leather flat ($148); farylrobin tuxedo loafer ($169); co-op barneys leopard print tuxedo flat ($365).

so, those are the styles on my shopping list.  but i’d love some advice from those of you more seasoned in cold-weather gear.  what are your favorite sock-friendly shoes?

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