Five Outfits with Duck Boots

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We’ve been getting 60 degree days in DC lately and then today we’re getting hit with a mini snow storm! Okay, I’m sure it’ll turn into rain by this afternoon. But that just makes it even more perfect for today’s post.

Today’s post is going to be all about winter boots, snow, and what type of shoes to wear. Last winter in DC was so warm that I barely needed to break out any form of duck boots or winter shoes in general. Truthfully, it drove me a little bonkers. I needed some snow and hopefully this post will inspire mother nature to send more my way this year. Or it’ll inspire me to move to Maine.

But anyways, we’re here to talk about duck boots, so let’s get into that, yes?

J.Crew Flare Skirt (Old, Similar, Similar)
BP. Lightweight Sweater (Old, Similar, Similar, Similar)
L.L.Bean Boots (Similar, Similar)
L.L.Bean Camp Socks (Old, Similar, Similar, Similar)
Madewell The Zip-Top Transport Crossbody (Similar, Similar)

Five Outfits with Duck Boots

What is a Duck Boot?

I feel like we should really start in the obvious place: what is a duck boot? Even if you’ve never heard the term before, I can guarantee you that you’ve seen them before. A duck boot is a waterproof, shoe-type boot that has a rubber lower section and a leather (or some sort of waterproof material) upper section.

They’re great for the snow and provide excellent traction. They’re also great at keeping your feet warm and dry whether you’re in the snow or rain. (These boots are the preppy fall or early winter rain boot of choice in the north east.)

A lot of people use the term “Bean Boot” (as in L.L. Bean Boot) and “Duck Boot” interchangeably. But a duck boot does not necessarily have to be a bean boot, while a Bean Boot is ALWAYS a duck boot. Make sense? If not, I’ll break it down in the next section.

Picking Your Duck Boots

Where to Buy Your Duck Boots

Now, while it seems like L.L. Bean has cornered the market on duck boots, they haven’t really. These boots are so popular that once winter hits, they’re really everywhere you turn. That’s why I mentioned earlier that all Bean Boots are duck boots, but not all duck boots are Bean Boots. Bean Boots just tend to appear everywhere because they’ve been around for an incredibly long time and many brands have modeled their boots after L.L. Bean.

However, L.L. Bean can run on the higher end of budgets when it comes to duck boots, so if you’re budget is a little tight, don’t worry, there are plenty of options out there!

Low to Medium

For low to medium pricing (think up to $75), you can typically find great options at stores like Target and DSW. I’ve shared some great options below. If you’re looking for something to go with winter outfits for teens who go through shoes like crazy, stick to this price range.

Medium to High

Higher end pricing can run as high as $175, but with these snow boots, you’re looking at high quality, real leather, and thinsulate (which is an additional layer of warmth, I talk about it in my breakdown of L.L. Bean boots). For higher end brands, you can typically look at brands like Sperry duck boots and L.L. Bean. Below are some great options.

Everlane The Long-Sleeve Waffle Tee c/o (Old, Similar, Similar, Similar)
Old Navy Skinny Corduroy Pants (Old, Similar, Similar, Similar)
L.L.Bean Boots (Similar, Similar)
L.L.Bean Camp Socks (Old, Similar, Similar, Similar)

How Your Duck Boot Height Effects Your Outfit Choices

Now that you know where to pick your duck boots and you’ve settled on the price, let’s talk about how to style your outfit based around the style of your boots.

Low

Just like your regular boots, duck boots have a “bootie” style, an ankle boot, and a higher boot style.

The low boot (we’ll stick to calling it a “bootie” style for clarity’s sake) is a pretty simple slip on style. It’s great for rain, muddy days, or light, surface level snow. Basically, not intense weather days. More like a chilly, casual Fall day. But they’ll keep your feet covered and that’s the goal.

Styling them isn’t that much fun in my option. Personally, I think they’re the easiest to style with jeans, just a fairly casual look.

Medium to High

Medium boots are the more popular version and the one most people picture when they think of duck boots or bean boots. They’ll typically hit low to the middle of the calf. The higher boots tend to hit higher on the calf to right below the knee.

These boots are great for basically any weather: snow, slush or rain. You can also style them with anything, as you’ll see from my outfits below. Whether it’s skirts or colored pants, the medium height boots tend to be the most versatile. These shoes are really the perfect clothing accessories for winter (that’s a funny way to think of them though).

Picking Your Duck Boot Colors:

As you’ve probably noticed when scrolling the boots above that they come in basically any color you could want. Which is great at first, but before you hit buy, remember that you want these boots to be as versatile as possible. After all, the more expensive the boot, the longer you want them to last.

Neutral

The L.L. Bean boots tend to do neutrals best (the tans and browns), but other brands do similar colors just as well. These tend to be my favorite options because they go with so many outfit colors and options really well.

Colors

While for a winter boot I would prefer a neutral, there’s no shame in going for a colorful boot! Just think of it like buying a pair of rainboots. Buy a color that either you wear often or compliments a color you wear often. That way you won’t have a problem matching it to your outfits.

Plaid

Yes, you could consider getting a plaid boot! After all, plaid is perfect for winter! (Could you make a more preppy outfit style choice? I love it.) Since a lot of people like to wear their duck boots all day and not take them off like other winter boots (which I fully support, except for at a business/business casual office), just think of this as you would an plaid flat. Just follow the colors rule I mentioned above, find a plaid you like and get it.

Five Outfits with Duck Boots

Now what you’ve finally been waiting for, five outfits with duck boots. Or rather, how to style your duck boots. Or how to find the perfect clothing pieces for your duck boots. Have I gone too far? Let’s just get start with the women’s fashion parade.

Oversized Sweaters

Sweaters and duck boots are basically a match made in heaven. If they’re oversized sweaters, that’s even better.

Skirts, Tights, and Camp Socks

No, your legs won’t get cold in a skirt. That’s what fleece lined tights are for. That’s also when you have camp socks peek out from your boots. It’s such a cute outfit with duck boots, you have to try it!

Jeans and Vests

I never knew the point of vests until I moved to DC. But now that I know the point of them, I also know that they make a great topper to an already good Bean Boots outfit.

All Neutral

Remember when I said I love the neutral boots? You know what looks even better with neutral boots? When you style neutral duck boots with skinny jeans and an all neutrals outfit. It was a satisfying (and incredibly comfortable) moment.

Also remember, no matter what anyone says, winter white is always an option.

Any additional questions about duck boots? Leave them in the comments, I’m more than happy to answer them! Also, make sure to check out my post about how to style L.L. Bean Boots for even more information!

Photos by Kimberly Graydon