Bostonist Fashion: Alternatives to the Uggs

Bostonist will be bringing several fashion writers on board in the next few weeks. And now, meet Lyette Mercier!

Ladies of Boston, let's be honest: Ugg boots are no longer trendy. No, really. They haven’t been for about two years. And since they are no longer trendy, we can all finally admit that they really make our feet resemble baked potatoes and visually shorten our legs, leaving us looking like the eighth dwarf, Stumpy. Bostonist understands that it's difficult to find a warm, dry, and comfortable pair of winter boots, but we’re here to provide you with stylish options that come in colors other than "gravy."

Although winter will probably torment us for at least three more months, companies are already rolling out their spring lines. This means you don’t even have to wait until the spring to get a good pair of boots on sale. Timberland's Mervisi Tall Boot features a nifty inside pocket that allows you to discreetly carry a credit card or emergency cash, and, for athletic-legged ladies, it's got an adjustable tab that lets you change the boot’s calf-width.

Those boots are water-resistant, not waterproof (a distinction that becomes important the instant you realize the puddle you just stepped into is much deeper than you thought), but Timberland also has some cute waterproof boots on sale. The oddly-named Moorland Reykir Ghillie boot has adorable lacing and is lined with "teddy bear fleece." Bostonist doesn’t know if they’re made with real teddy bears, but they certainly sound warm. (There's also a knee-high version available for full price at Zappos.)

Post contributed by Lyette Mercier. Image from the Uggs website. More recommendations after the jump!

LL Bean, whose classic rubber and leather Bean Boots have saved generations of New Englanders from wet feet, offers a variety of traditional styles along with more modern options, like these waterproof Merrell boots. Lined with thinsulate and available in classic black, they’ll keep your tootsies warm without making your legs look like tree trunks. And if you really can’t bear to give up the comfort of Uggs' sheepskin & shearling combo, it’s available with a little more structure in Bean's Pine Ridge Shearling boots.

Of course, there will always be days when all you need is a pair of shoes to keep the slush at bay, or all you really want is to puddle-jump with impunity. For those days you need a pair of shoes that are as much fun to wear as they are to say the name of: wellies! Bostonist suggests bringing a much-needed shot of color to the winter-wear palette with the brightest pair you can find. These rubber harbingers of joy and dry feet are available from $30 at REI to $140 from Pucci. Buy a pair and leave potato-feet behind.