The Evolution of the Snow Boot

The traditional snow boot never goes out of style. Finding their place in America as carriage boots of the 1860s, the first snow boot was traditionally made of velvet and lined with fleece or rabbit fur. Enclosed with a single tie, these boots were warm but highly impractical for women who wanted to keep their feet dry in the winter.

In the 1940s, when salt was utilized to melt icy roads and sidewalks, rubber replaced fabric as the soles of both heeled and flat snow boots, keeping feet slightly more protected against the elements. In addition to the implementation of rubber soles, many women slid their feet into plastic bread bags prior to slipping on their snow boots for an added layer of protection from the winter snow.

Following close behind the first carriage-style snow boots, Victorian lace-up booties were also popular for helping women of the 1900s to face the winter in style.

Popular in America and across Europe, these leather-bound boots were often lined with fur or shearling and could be easily slipped on and off for an evening of winter sport, or a relaxing stroll.

With time, the snow boot has evolved from dysfunctional and plain to a staple of winter fashion—so much so that fashion's biggest designers have used them as the focus of their contemporary collections. 

Taking form as fur-covered Moon Boot-style iterations in the Fall/Winter 2021 collections of Miu Miu and Chanel, the snow boot has proven resistant against the test of time and continues to evolve with the ebb and flow of the fashion world. 

While some prefer to pair a traditional lace-up snow boot with a pair of leather trousers or a dramatic full-length coat, others prefer to go sleek and bold with slip-on snow boots perfect for gallivanting around in the snow—or hitting the streets in style.

As seen on the streets of Fashion Week in recent seasons, snow boots are never the same twice and can be paired with modern garments to cultivate a chic winter look.