These destined-to-be-worn with a relatively short skirt boots were to have a heel that makes itself heard. Not a petite click-sound as echoes en masse in Eesti – tikk-kontsad (spindly spikes), but a confident yet elegant, hear-me-coming kind of step. I had never had such boots, but instead had always been practical: hiking boots, furry meets rubber Sorels (a Canadian classic but…). And anything fit to wear to jõulukirik (Christmas church service) was always a very rational (yawn) black.
My best “statement” winter footwear to date were black, leather, 6-eye and 8-hook granny boots bought at a second-hand shop in Stockholm 6 or 7 years ago. I’m still wearing them. The shoemaker (kingsepp) on Reimani tänav just re-shafted their heels, but they tend to be slippery and a wee bit chilly. Naturally such minor details don’t stop throngs of women from wearing thin, chilly, slippery boots just to look fantastic. It often makes me wonder if there’s a boot clause in Estonian health insurance policies.
So I thought I was well on my way to buying a mature, classy pair of high-boots and called in my male opinion, always ready to give advice in matters of style. As soon as he entered the shoe store, aptly named Trend Express, in downtown Tallinn’s new mecca of shopping Viru keskus, he bee-lined for the furry table. And there was no turning back. THIS, he insisted, was sexy: the Bigfoot, the pomm-pomms, the ethnic – the Kanada.
I had no choice but to reject the other two pairs I had put on hold. The furries were cheaper after all (699.80 krooni), and funkier, and my kunstnik-nõustaja (artist/advisor) said “Ja mis siis kui nad on ainult ühe hooaja saapad?” (And so what if they’re only good for one season?) Music to my ears. Although I’m not sure whether he was talking style or durability. Fashion won’t stop me from overwearing them, for I haven’t totally rejected my practical upbringing. He tried to convince me to also buy crazy pink butterfly-patterned kummikud (rubber boots), another global hit this year, but I reined him in (ohjeldama).
I really like my new First Nations inspired boots. I’m not sure where they were made, but I wore them to two Christmas church services this year! This, even though my footware stock is now complete with sleek high-boots. Fate led me to them, in the huge second-hand basement store Humana beneath the downtown Kaubamaja. I wasn’t looking, I had my bigfoots, but these were tall, brown, soft (real) leather, fit me (and my calf), sported a beautiful heel and were a shameful 99 kroons. That’s 10 dollars.
I’m very grateful to the anonymous soul in Sweden or Norway who rejected them so early on. The only thing they lack is that all-important, confidence-pumping step-noise. But there is something to be said for walking silently on soft snow, as native Canadians and other northern peoples know so well. Not to mention Yeti, as the abominable snowman in known in Estonia. Falling or freezing is not an option, but looking good never hurt. HEAD TEED! May the road rise up to meet you. Bon voyage!