Girlfriends Have Cold Feet (Over Weather)
Dear Fashion Police: My girl pal and I have cold feet. In Los Angeles, this is not much of a problem. However, we are planning a trip with our husbands to the East Coast for the new year. We hope to be firmly ensconced in fine hotels, warm restaurants, cozy stores and overheated museums and theaters whenever possible. But, we might actually have to walk there.
We’re seeking foldable warm, lined, mid-calf boots with skid-proof soles that we can wear over stockings and tuck into our totes when we switch to our shoes.
Are we dreaming? Hiking boots would keep us warm and prevent us from slipping, but they’re too heavy to schlep.
--DELICATE TOOTSIES
Dear Delicate: We found some boots that fit your description, but we have to be honest with you--good luck trying to tuck these babies into your totes. They don’t collapse or pack down easily, so you’ll have to do some major schlepping if you want to change into walking shoes or heels. You should also take some thick socks along, since they’ll keep you warmer.
Naturalizer’s Toboggan boot has a faux fur lining as well as a lined zipper to keep water and snow out. They’re $54.95 at Nordstrom’s online store at https://www.nordstrom.com or call (888) 282-6060. Naturalizer’s Chalet Cold Weather boot has a thick lining and a nonslip rubber sole; it’s available for $54.99 at https://www.shoes.com or call (888) 233-6743.
We also found a Lacrosse insulated waterproof boot, but this one’s a little more rugged-looking, with a lace-up front. It’s $119.99 at https://www.chesterbootshop.com or call (877) 362-7836.
Dear Fashion Police: Please tell me where I can find a good quality faux leather jacket. I love the look, feel and smell of a classic leather jacket, but I’m not comfortable wearing the real thing.
I’ve combed trendy boutiques and major department stores, but they just show me shiny pleather cheapies. I want something classic that doesn’t scream a bold statement, either politically or fashion-wise.
--QUIET REBEL
Dear Quiet: As popular as real leather is, many people like you are searching for alternatives, whether for strong political convictions or personal concerns.
Either way, more faux leather, or pleather, and suede-like items are available. That means there are good grades and bad grades of pleather, just as there are good and bad grades of real leather.
As demand for pleather from designers and manufacturers has increased, fabrics have improved, making them more comfortable and more closely resembling the real thing.
We came up with some resources for you, but since we haven’t had a chance to see them up close and personal, we can’t vouch for the quality.
If you have questions, ask a customer service representative what the material is made out of--usually polyurethane (washable and dry-cleanable) or polyvinyl chloride (difficult to clean)--the weight of the jacket, whether it’s lined, and whether it’s shiny, textured or has a matte finish.
Pangea Vegan Products Inc. has a Web site that offers a number of fake leather jackets in a range of prices, from a unisex biker style to a women’s cropped zip-front. The Rockville, Md.-based company is on the Web at https://www.pangeaveg.com . Or call (800) 340-1200. The company also has a store, open only Saturdays and Sundays.
Spiegel carries a women’s knee-length faux leather trench coat in a crocodile-embossed pattern with a notch collar and tie belt for about $100. Spiegel also has a cropped fake leather jacket with smocking at the waist for $99. See the jackets online at https://www.spiegel.com or call (800) 448-7070.
Alight.com offers a number of faux leather and suede jackets for plus-size women, including a hip-length zip-front jacket in gold, a turquoise pleather motorcycle style and a shaped, distressed jacket with a removable faux fur collar. They’re on the Web at https://www.alight.com.
Even little tykes can have the look of leather. Tiny Treasures has Harley Davidson motorcycle jackets in toddler sizes for $39.95. They’re at https://www.tinytreasuresbaby.com , or call (888) 603-7711.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals offers a free Shopping Guide to Nonleather Products. Order it online at https://www.cowsarecool.com, or call PETA at its Norfolk, Va., offices at (757) 622-7382.
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From the Fashion Police Blotter: Beware your mailbox! The onslaught of catalogs is about to begin, as we start the inevitable slide toward the holidays.
One that’s a standout so far is the fall Lands’ End catalog, whose “Great Go-Togethers!” issue is illustrated with photos of six men and women interspersed with photos of dogs who very closely resemble them. Or maybe it’s vice versa. Either way, it’s a scream, so check it out.
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Write to Fashion Police, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to jeannine.stein@latimes.com.
