Although the temperatures are a little up and down right now, winter has pretty much set in… if I’m not inside wrapped in layers then I’m outside wrapped in layers – and that’s usually to walk the dog.
There are two essentials I have to have for dog walking in the winter: 1. Warmth, and 2. Comfort. Style is not essential to me (it may surprise you that I’m happy to walk Riley or pop to the supermarket and not worry about my appearance AT ALL), but it’s a nice bonus…!
There’s one footwear brand I rely on for crazy-comfy boots: Lotus. The great thing about their footwear is that they are stylish as well as super comfy. I’ve featured Lotus footwear almost countless times on the blog, and that’s because their shoes, boots and sandals are just SO GOOD. The tan boots I have from the AW17 collection have been worn to death due to them being just about the comfiest boots I own (and they’re still as good as new). The strappy sandals from Lotus I wore this summer were buttery soft and didn’t rub in the slightest.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Lotus (click here for my full disclosure). It also contains some affiliate links which means if you click through and buy I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Items marked* were gifted. All content is original and opinions are my own and 100% honest.
So I’m more than happy to be collaborating with Lotus once again, and this season I’m showing off a pair of fabulous brown knee-high boots* (which will give my tan boots a rest and switch up my usual dog-walking outfit). Although it has buckles it’s a simple zip-up boot, and I love the faux sock-detail at the top.
(Check out all the outfit posts on the blog where I’m wearing Lotus here.)
My boots are a little muddy in the pictures but hey: it’s realistic! I’d actually worn them a couple of times before we did this shoot. Just to, you know, make sure they were comfy… Who am I kidding(!), Lotus boots/shoes are always, ALWAYS comfy right from the very first wear.
The biker boot is one of my favourite styles for a flat boot. Lotus have a HUGE selection of this style, in lots of different colours, and to be honest I found it tricky to choose just one (scroll down for a selection of others I liked as well). On the other end of the spectrum, I was also kindly gifted a pair of killer heels that I think I’ll be wearing this Friday to an awards event: keep an eye on my Instagram stories to see if these fabulous ombre heels* are the ones I go with in the end…!
I mentioned right at the beginning that when I’m walking the dog, style is not essential but it’s a nice bonus. If you want to inject a little colour into your everyday winter wear then I’d recommend investing in not a black, but a coloured warm coat. The lovely chaps at Parka London gifted me this incredibly stylish tobacco-brown parka, and combined with the mustard yellow beanie and blue of my jeans, the colours in this outfit are saturated but still bold. The coat is on the pricey side but OH MY GOODNESS it’s warm (don’t worry, the beautiful fur hood trim is faux) and the quality is first class.
I think the boots and the parka are going to get a LOT of wear this winter…!
Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured in my new monthly Wear What You Like feature post!
ARE YOU OBSESSED WITH EXTRA WARM, EXTRA COMFY (DOG) WALKING BOOTS LIKE ME? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS…!
Like this post? You might also like…
– Lotus boots: How to Style a Baker Boy Hat (tan Lotus mid-calf boots)
– Lotus heels: How to Make Jeans Smart for an Informal Meeting (black Lotus block heels)
– Lotus sandals: How to Keep Cool in the Summer and Still Cover Up (strappy Lotus sandals)
– Lotus handbag: How to Wear Soft Tones of Blush and Blue in Winter (Lotus tortoiseshell handbag)
Boots: Lotus*
Coat: Parka London*
Jeans: JD Williams*
Beanie: Asos (similar)
Gloves: Old, unknown (similar)
OTHER LOTUS BOOTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
✷ ✷ ✷ ✷ ✷
Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!
The link up goes live every Tuesday at around 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
Linking up etiquette…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
PLEASE NOTE: This is for linking up WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WEARING ONLY. Non-outfit links will be removed and you might be blocked if you turn out to be a repeat “offender”!
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I love Lotus shoes! Their party shoes mean you can stand on your feet for hours and not be uncomfortable; they are magical shoes. These look fab and warm
Author
Having just worn my Lotus party heels this weekend Lisa I can vouch for the fact that you’re absolutely right!! Thank you sweetie x
Catherine – as yet i have not seen you look anything less than stylish in whatever you wear. The boots look super comfy and i bet they have plenty of grip when the snow/frost arrives.
Author
Oh bless you Jill – thank you for that lovely compliment! x
Those boots look really comfy and warm too.
Author
Thanks Julie – they most certainly are!!
I really love your Parka, it’s such a gorgeous colour. I am also a fan of Lotus boots and find their footwear really comfortable.
Riley looks so dapper in his smart coat enjoying his walk!
Alison xx
Author
Comfortable is the word that EVERYONE uses to describe Lotus shoes, isn’t it Alison?! Thank you sweetie x
I used to have a pair of boots that looked quite similar to those, and they were really comfy too. I was gutted when they wore out (they were only cheap ones!). I love your dog walking gear – the coat is a gorgeous colour. Beautiful photos as always, Catherine.
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
In theory my AW17 Lotus boots should have worn out with the number of times I’ve worn them, Suzy – luckily the quality is fantastic so I don’t see that happening anytime soon! Thank you, glad you love the outfit x
I love your Lotus boots! I’m on the look-out for some for walking the dog in as well as an alternative to wellies. Have you had chance to test how waterproof they are?
Thank you for hosting the link up 🙂
Best wishes
Helen x
Author
Helen thank you! I’ll ask about the waterproof-ness and let you know… I wouldn’t have thought they’re welly boots-type of waterproof as it doesn’t actually say that on the website, so rain proof is what my guess would be, rather than puddle-chasing. x
You AND your dog look gorgeous! The boots look and sound like everything boots should be – warm, comfy and task-appropriate, while looking fab. Why NOT interject style and color into what we do every day? They’re all clothes that have to be bought, chosen, worn…why SHOULDN’T I look good when I’m doing the dishes or folding laundry? I certainly appreciate it when Herr Husband puts more effort into what HE looks like 🙂 You continue to inspire me from across the pond, Catherine, and connect me to other bloggers I’ve come to love. Keep up the GREAT work!
Author
You’re absolutely right, Mary Katherine – I guess that’s why I love bright colours so much: even if I throw anything on, it still looks partly fabulous because it’s not just black and dull (which is how I feel about black on ME)…! Thank you thank you xx
What a great doggy-walking look Catherine!
I love the colours you’ve used here …. although as soon a Riley was in the shot I forgot that we were supposed to be looking at YOUR outfit! Hahahahaha.
What a scene stealer he is :o)
XXX
Samantha
Author
He is SUCH a scene-stealer, Samantha… as soon as he sees the camera he either stands right in front of me or he stands right in front of Keith – but only if he’s crouching and taking something from a low angle. We have plenty of out of focus dog shots with me in the background where Riley has walked right in front of the camera, lol 😀 😀
I love your casual, real life outfit! And the boots look great. We all need comfortable shoes & boots! I choose comfort most times…
Author
I’m happy to rock a heel Andrea but I can’t love comfy boots anymore if I tried…! Thank you x
Loving my #lotus boots, they’re red and sparkly what’s not to like, obviously not for dog walking 😉 Thanks for sharing and hosting today. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
Hehe my Lotus ombre heels definitely aren’t for dog walking either, Jacqui…! 😉 thank you my lovely x
That yellow beanie, and your oh so handsome rogue of a pooch, Catherine, caught my eyes and held on fast 🙂
Author
Bless you, thank you Sheela xx
That Parka is pretty spectacular and perfect for dog walking. As you can see from my pictures, winter has settled in over here in Ottawa. Settled in way too early. Hoping it warms up and the snow melts or I will be looking for another parka of my own. PS man that dog poses so very well.
Author
It’s a fabulous colour parka, isn’t it Linda…? Sorry to hear about your snow – that’s FAR too early in my eyes!! Thank you x
These are great boots, Catherine, comfortable and stylish. And I like how you photograph them looking lived-in and real. They look great with this autumnal orange coat. Thanks for the linkup!
Author
Thanks Melanie – to be honest there was no escaping the muddy paths and fields!!
What a cute and casual outfit, that I seriously think I can imitate. LOL My parka is olive, but this is such a cute look that I’d love to mimic your fall colors with the mustard and orange. And, really, what a cute pup!
Author
An olive parka sounds lush, Daenel – I considered olive when I chose this one! Thank you my lovely x
This is such a timely post, Catherine—I just bought a new hooded raincoat and boots to wear when I walk my dog! Of course, she hates the rain, so we had to get her a raincoat too 😉
Cheryl Shops
Author
Haha I’ve realised that not many dogs DO like the rain, Cheryl – I thought they didn’t care but it seems that’s not the case! Riley isn’t keen but he’s usually so desperate to walk he’ll go anyway…!
This is just what I need. A good dog walking outfit. Stylish warm and comfy xx
Author
Thanks Laurie xo
Hello Riley you handsome old boy xx
Catherine what a beautiful coloured Parka and it looks so warm too? Like you I am a fan of lotus boots and love wearing a similar pair to walk my dogs in the fields of Dorset.
Thanks for hosting I have linked and will tweet..
Ashley xxx.xxxx
Author
Aww Ashley he looks gooooooood, doesn’t he 😉
I think Lotus should be the official dog-walking boots brand, don’t you think…?? Thank you hon x
Good looking outer wear! Thanks for hosting!
Author
Thank you so much Nancy x
Awwwwwww, Riley xxxxxxx. You look lovely Catherine. I love your boots. I’m a huge fan of Lotus too. Xxxxx
Author
Thanks Liz… he’s such a handsome boy (and such a poser too)!! 😉
That’s how we’ve been lately even for taking some of our blog photos. Since the lighting is better outside, we layer up and wear boots, hats and everything!!
XOXO
Jodie
Author
I think that’s the way it’ll be for many months yet, Jodie!!