Although the tinsel may have been taken down it's fair to say that the chilly weather will be with us for a little while yet. If anything, conditions seem to be getting increasingly arctic and our footwear in particular is having to become functional as well as fashionable.

For many women our trusty Uggs are the first port of call when the temperature drops. Comfortable, warm and offering decent protection against the elements, it's not hard to see why so many of us spend three months of the year wearing them. Recently, however, the growing popularity of other winter warmers has left many women pondering 'to Ugg, or not to Ugg?' – that is the question (well this season at least!).

First becoming popular for their alleged health benefits such as reduced cellulite (where do I sign?!), the so-called 'Fitflop ' boots have been selling like hot cakes. Although fairly similar in appearance to Uggs these winter wonders fit far more snugly and designer Ana Sui liked them so much she even designed a style (the Shakoha) for the collection! Other snug winter favourites this year are the native American/Canadian inspired Mukluk boots, which will not only keep your toes toasty, but are ideal for adding a little fun to a dull winter's outfit.

Lastly, if you really are faced with extremely wet weather and waterproof practicality is a must, the only boots to go for are Hunter wellies. As well as being ready for the deepest of puddles, these sleek boots come in a variety of colours, although by far the most chic are the black boa-snake pair.

theitgirl
xxx