3 Ways New Yorkers Are Styling Neutral Boots Right Now

We get it: It’s cold outside. So cold, in fact, that you’d probably like to curl up and hibernate, but alas, the workweek trudges on. In other words, if you haven’t yet prepped your wardrobe with cozy footwear that’s comfortable enough for your on-the-go lifestyle but also stylish enough to meet your exacting standards, you’re going to want to get on that ASAP.

Enter: SOREL’s newest take on their classic style, the Joan NEXT. We recently spotted the on-trend shoe on city dweller Dana Mannarino, a Free People merchandiser who tells us her fashion preferences have been shaped by the city she calls home. "I’ve always worn what I want, and I definitely attribute this to being born and raised in New York,” she shares. "I love that I can wake up every day and be a different person if I want to.”

Given her knack for creating covetable looks that work from day to night, we trust Mannarino when she tells us this boot is a must-have.

The Boot

With Sweaters and Skirts

"I’m very into sweaters and skirts, and I’d wear this look to the office when I want to be comfortable yet put together,” Mannarino notes. "I work in a super-fast-paced environment that I really enjoy being part of, and these SOREL boots help me get through the day in style.”

A chunky lug sole (that’s fashion girl-speak for footwear with really exaggerated tread) is a major style to invest in right now⁠—Mannarino is all about juxtaposing the trend with a polished, structured handbag for an ultra-modern look.

With All-Black (and a Touch of Leopard)

An all-black outfit is still the NYC uniform, especially when an oversize blazer is involved. Mannarino took a very 2019 approach to her all-black look by adding her animal-print bag (slung effortlessly over her shoulder) and tucking skinny jeans into her statement SOREL boots.

"When I’m feeling edgy or want that classic New York City style to come through, boots and an all-black look does the trick,” says Mannarino. "It makes you feel polished, professional, and ready to tackle anything, taking you from desk to drinks in an instant.”

With Plaid and Skinny Jeans

"I thrive during the cooler months, so my go-to weekend look is jeans, a T-shirt, a statement coat, and a good pair of boots to take me places—like brunch, because that’s always a good idea,” Mannarino notes. (Obviously we agree.)

These boots lend themselves particularly well to skinny jeans and long plaid coats, which is basically all we want to live in on the weekends. Mannarino also loves a subtle pop of color, from these burnt-orange tones to the "license plate” heel detail of her boots.