Valenki - fashion trends

Fashion tends to come back. So, recently felt boots, which are no longer perceived as village shoes, have been experiencing a revival. Today it is a fashionable trend in demand among modern women.

The prototype of this felt footwear made of felted wool were pimas, which were worn by the Eurasian nomads fifteen hundred years ago. In Ancient Russia, felt boots appeared during the period of the Golden Horde - they were brought in by the Mongol and Turkic peoples.

Until the 19th century, these were shoes of exceptionally wealthy people, and then usually there was only one pair for the whole family, which was used in turn. It should be noted that Tsar Peter 1 himself liked to wear felt boots. The nineteenth century was the time of mass distribution of these products. Interestingly, by the beginning of the 20th century, a pair of factory boots could be bought for just two rubles, but during the revolutionary period their cost increased significantly (up to about 15 rubles).

The main centers of the felting industry were located in the Yaroslavl and Kostroma, Tver and Nizhny Novgorod provinces. By the way, in Yaroslavl now, as before, they are breeding a special Romanov breed of sheep, it is distinguished by its thick warm wool and walks very well.

Valenki are the most practical and comfortable footwear for a real Russian winter. In addition, sheep wool is famous for its medicinal properties: it provides a light massage of the foot, improves blood circulation. Its main advantage is its ability to keep warm even in severe frosts.

Modern felt boots are an interesting topic for design developments, and foreign fashion specialists are also engaged in this. Today these shoes are no longer associated with rude designs and gloomy colors. The property of keeping warm is successfully combined with elegance, an example of which is the Finnish Kuoma felt boots.

There are various types of these shoes. Classic felt boots - these are simple models, with no decorative ornaments. They leave a lot of room for creative imagination to decorate the product to your liking.

Author's felt boots - things decorated with embroidery, rhinestones, decorative braid. For example, models from Vyacheslav Zaitsev are very popular in a bohemian environment. Designer felt boots can be made to order, and then the product will be truly exclusive.

Boots-boots with a sporty lace-up design - perfect for winter walks and outdoor trips. The laces make it possible to securely fix the shoes on the foot.

Burki - male version of felt boots: the leather bottom of such shoes is combined with a white felt top.

Home felt boots - special models for indoor wear, a more comfortable alternative to warm socks, fabric slippers and rubber slates. Such a thing will be a wonderful gift for children and adults, for example, for the New Year or Christmas.

Souvenir felt boots - lovely miniature products with a wide variety of decor, which are bought as souvenirs.

Wedding boots purchased specifically for newlyweds. They are decorated with typical for the celebration embroidery, delicate lace, etc. Paired models designed for the bride and groom complement each other.

Paired options for a mother with a little daughter also look cute. This style is called Family-look very popular today.

Today, there are three types of felt boots:

• Classic all-woolen products (broken).
• Variants with rubber or polyurethane sole.
• Models made of woolen cloth, but with insulation - batting, bike or fur, as well as a sewn-in sole. Such products will come in handy for the thaw.

Finnish felt boots are popular. These models are equipped with an insulating polyurethane sole that prevents slipping on ice. The top of such models is treated with a special compound that prevents dirt and dust from sticking, and the inner part has a high-quality pile.

Valenki today are produced both in a traditional shape with a flat sole and in a more intricate one, for example, with a heel, platform, wedge heel. Designers even offer stylish stiletto boots that will create a feminine look even in severe frost. But still, products on a wider stable heel or wedge heel are more practical and stable.

The boot boot can be long or short, loose or tight. Also, the upper part can be tightened with laces, zipped or Velcro, fixed with an elastic band.

The polyurethane sole of felt boots (especially often found on models with heels) does not wear off and does not slip. As a rule, it is ribbed - it removes water. It is preferable to choose options with thick soles, which will more reliably protect the wool from dirt.

Various manufacturers in a competitive environment equip their felt boots with various useful elements:

• Removable insoles, including embossed ones.
• Padded heel counter.
• Knitted cuffs to keep out snow and wind.
• Additional gluing of seams.
• Reflective elements for safety in the dark and in bad weather.

Initially, felt boots were made exclusively by hand from sheep's wool, with white versions from the Mongolian breed, gray ones from Caucasian and Central Asian sheep.However, there were isolated samples from the wool of goats and dogs.

Note that the manufacturing technology, in principle, has not changed over several centuries. This process is not difficult, but it requires physical strength as well as patience. Sheared wool must be thoroughly washed and cleaned of impurities. Then it is weighed and the required proportion of "autumn" and "spring" raw materials is formed: it is this that determines the color and softness of the finished shoes. After that, the wool is sent to the machines, where it is loosened and mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained. For a day, the raw material is cured, and then it goes to the next workshop where finished products are formed from it.

Today elite felt boots are made from camel wool, it is much lighter than sheep's wool, but just as warm and strong. Also, designers insert leather, felt, satin, lace fragments into ordinary felt boots. These shoes are often adorned with fur details such as mischievous pom-poms.

Winter is the time to please yourself with catchy tones that will cheer up everyone around you. Fashion designers offer options for purple, raspberry, orange, bright blue, mint. Of course, there is still the classic white and black.

Boots of metallic shades and gradient models with a transition from light to saturated colors, additionally decorated with embroidery, look original. Smoky gray options with elegant ornamentation on the top are in demand.

In the winter season of 2017, the folklore style is in trend - embroidery and painting in the traditional Russian folk manner (flowers and berries). These shoes are a wonderful means of self-expression. Northern ethnic motives also look interesting.

Finnish brand Kuoma produces lightweight felt boots with excellent moisture-repellent properties and a durable sole. These models are distinguished by bright colors, suitable for everyday wear and for business wardrobe. Unlike felted counterparts, they can be machine washed without prejudice to their appearance.

British designers of felt boots are mainly focused on the youth environment and are characterized by the direction of "urban chic". These are options with catchy embroidery and original prints. but Keddo brand offers felt boots in a classic style of calm colors.

Stylish and elegant felt boots are produced by Cooper (Slovenia). Many models are decorated with graceful perforation and embroidery. Many options with quilted textile upper.

The domestic manufacturer of felt boots is represented by a large number of factories. One of the leaders is Yaroslavl factory for the production of felted footwear. The company offers both traditional products and felt boots with rubber and polyurethane soles, with various types of finishes. In addition, the assortment includes home felt slippers. Souvenirs are also produced, including custom-made products, with the logo of the customer organization.

Factory "Kalyaev" sews felt boots with different lengths of tops and heels. The range of models, decor and colors are striking in their variety.

When choosing felt boots, take into account the manufacturing method. Take handicrafts strictly according to your size. Machine-made models, as a rule, shrink, so their size should be larger by two units (buy versions with rubber soles only one size larger).

Shoes don't have to be too stiff - otherwise you will feel uncomfortable walking. But even a very soft felt boot is a sign of underfilled raw materials, it will not keep its shape. Try to squeeze the product - good wool is slightly springy.

Also pay attention to the smell: if it is unpleasant, the coat is poorly washed.This smell will not disappear over time. High-quality felt fabric is uniform, without lumps and thickenings. Please note that the inside of the boots should also be smooth; a hole may gradually appear in thin places.

1. Coming from the street, immediately shake off the snow from the boots so that it does not melt on them. And in wet weather, it is better to prefer rubber boots or put on special galoshes on boots (now there are transparent options that do not affect the attractive appearance).
2. Remember that boots should never be washed. Indeed, a raw canvas will necessarily deform and lose its presentable appearance. When it is necessary to clean the dirt - use a brush with natural bristles, as a last resort - a slightly damp cloth.
3. It is also unacceptable to dry wet felt boots on a battery or heater. After this procedure, the wool will harden. Valenki will dry out perfectly even at room temperature.
4. These shoes must be carefully stored as natural wool is a moth bait. Place the felt boots in a plastic bag, not forgetting to put an insect repellent pill there. Check the condition of the product periodically.

The price of ordinary felt boots, machine-made with a factory finish, is quite affordable when compared with the cost of winter leather goods. As a rule, it does not exceed two thousand rubles, it is determined by the length of the bootleg and the material of the sole. Author's handmade products will certainly cost you more - the price can be several tens of thousands. The same applies to models made of elite camel wool.

Valenki are a wonderful piece of winter wardrobe for a modern fashionista. They go well with sheepskin coats and short sheepskin coats (especially if your shoes have a heel or wedge heel). However, it is inappropriate to wear them with floor-length fur coats and classic-style coats. Flat run options look great with short down jackets.

An excellent addition to boots are skinny jeans and a warm oversized sweater. Also, these shoes look good with leggings and a knitted tunic, pullover, turtleneck, stylish fur vest. Please note that trousers are usually tucked into felt boots.

It is perfectly acceptable to combine these shoes with a skirt (mini or midi length) and a flirty blouse. Moreover, products with a high bootleg are suitable for a short skirt, and cropped boots are suitable for medium-length clothes.

Your favorite knitted dress will appear in a new light in combination with this distinctive shoe.

Valenki will be successfully complemented by some other accessory in the Russian folk style, for example, a downy shawl as a scarf.

• Glamorous autumn look.

• Stylish felt boots with light tights - it looks stylish, but you feel warm and cozy in such an outfit.

• Very original model of felt boots. Denim will complement the look and make a bright accent.