Text and Photos by HYACINTH CORTES

There is a chill in the air, the leaves are turning colors, and the first snowflakes are coming down.  In Second Life, just as in the real northern hemisphere our thoughts are on -  boots!  A fashion statement or a practicality for wading through rain, wind or snow drifts, there is nothing like a well made boot.  Vogue said mid-calf boots are a season must-have.  I went to Macy's recently and was dazzled by boots this year; tall, short, stiletto heeled sexy boots, flat and comfortable - the choices were amazing.  But I learned two things.  I'd never try to totter around in stiletto heeled boots in real life, and I couldn't really afford most of the nicest boots.  In SL these problems are minimized so I can satisfy a craving for boots.

Well designed and constructed SL boots can be expensive; it takes a great deal of work to design boots and shoes with style that fit properly and look good.  Working with small prims and or sculpties to create the shape, and selecting realistic textures to finish the boot is a work of art.  Featured are some boot shops and creators.

Maitreya. Onyx LaShelle for Maitreya SLURL

Maitreya makes high fashion clothing, stylish shoes and boots, model animations and is well known for realistic hair.  The boots are gorgeous.  Some highlights include the really stunning desert suede boots with high stiletto heels in a multitude of colors, shorter ankle boots also come in a choice of leather or suede in many colors.   Many of the Maitreya boots come with both a scripted resizer and a non scripted version so fit can be adjusted if necessary.  I've never had to adjust Maitreya shoes to fit my size 0 feet. Maitreya recently sent gifts of two versions of the  Soho boot to subscribers.  The gift boots were first sent in orange/black for Halloween, then followed by black with black patent and were a great way to try the wonderful Maitreya products, although it's really tempting to go back to Maitreya to purchase more boots.

J's by JB Gazov SLURL

J's makes boots that are so richly detailed they look like they really use top quality leather.  Stiching and buckles are finely detailed too and the whole boot looks amazing.  Many styles of J's boots are unisex and come with both a male or female version in the folder so they fit most feet and legs just fine.  My favorite boots come from J's and I'd love to wear them in real life too.  They are a rich caramel leather engineer boot with a fold down top that shows the lighter leather lining.  They are scripted to wear folded or unfolded and to resize.  J's also makes dressier boots with heels and cowboy boots.  When I went to J's to check on new boots I purchased some lovely red cowboy boots.

Shiny Things by Fallingwater CellardoorSLURL

Shiny Things has been in SL for quite a while, making shoes and boots for men and women.  Classic styles include the old worn knee length lace up boot.  The flowered biker boots have also been a favorite.  The biker boot folder comes with the flowered version as well as a plain version.  New styles include the Ving boots with belts, buckles and laces that comes with a HUD that changes lace colors.

Bax Boots by Bax Coen SLURL

Not shown, but these knee high and very elegant boots are on my wish list.  Bax Coen Prestige boots receive high praise from fashionistas and fashion bloggers and they look beautiful.

*G Field* by Cerberus Noel SLURL

*G Field* sold two cute belted ankle boot styles in orange leather for the special price of L$30 for Halloween.  The boots were blogged extensively so when I teleported in to get mine bargain boots I saw that Cerberus makes very nice boots and shoes and at modest prices.  The Halloween special ankle boots come in an array of additional colors at the regular prices, around L$180.

Can't get enough virtual shoes and boots?  Check a shoes and boots only blog: On Your Toes

For more boots and shoes, the 2009 Footwear Expo runs from November 22 through December 6, 2009 SLURL.

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