Sole searching
Mount Maunganui photographer and creative Tasha Meys, better known on Instagram as @tastefullytash, shares her top winter footwear picks from SOLECT.
Mount Maunganui photographer and creative Tasha Meys, better known on Instagram as @tastefullytash, shares her top winter footwear picks from SOLECT
Boots in
“A high-quality black boot is a staple in my winter wardrobe. Pair with jeans, winter dresses or smart trousers.”
Timberland Cortina Valley Chelsea Boot $360
Cream please
“I’m all about a sneaker which works as well for a run up the Mount as it does with jeans for a casual vibe.”
ASICS Gel 1130 $190
Cosy toes
“These pink sheepskin slippers feel like a fluffy hug for my feet. Snuggly indoors yet easy-wear outdoors due to their hard soles.”
EMU Australia Mayberry Slippers $80
Shear comfort
“A shearling-lined cold-weather version of these classic Birks is a dream. Wear with cute socks for extra warmth. They feel like slippers but are totally acceptable to wear in public!”
Birkenstock Arizona Shearling $350
Star turn
“I love that the lift gives you that extra bit of height! Leather is warmer than the canvas version, so perfect with jeans for cooler days, or a dress and trench for an evening look.”
Chuck Taylor All Star Leather Lift Low $150
Support local
“Alongside a black boot, I love a brown boot in winter for a softer look. Ideal with blue denim and a white shirt.”
Chaos & Harmony Montreux Boot $390
Perfect fit
Solect specialises in quality shoe brands that stand on their own two feet.
Solect specialises in quality shoe brands that stand on their own two feet.
Words Nicky Adams / Photos Jahl Marshall
Light, bright, and breezy with an expanse of white space and sleek seating areas – walking into Tauranga Solect Shoe store, there’s a moment when I wondered if I’d just come in because it looks so darn restful. Then I glanced around and yep, I knew exactly what had brought me through the doors.
I love a relaxed shopping experience, and low-level music is a great first step. Good, knowledgeable customer service is a solid second. Then of course there’s the shoes themselves. Artfully displayed on minimalist style shelving, it’s all about the footwear. With a range that, in the words of branding manager Kat Farron, cleverly covers everything from “boots to Birkenstocks, sneakers to slippers, no matter whether you need to fit your feet out for the beach or the office, you’ll find it at Solect.” Catering for men and women, the range has been carefully curated. Here it is most definitely a case of less is more, so rather than sending your brain into anxious overdrive, the premium brands that have made it on to the shelves have done so because of their proven quality, performance, and heritage.
Solect prides itself on listening to its customer, so among the instantly recognisable classics sit some exciting additions. The Buffalo range is 100% vegan, with some of the boots even gaining the PETA tick of approval. While the puffy cloud soles and bouncy vibe is synonymous with the Spice Girls in the 90s, the combination of reimagined retro cool and super ethical has earned these boots and sneakers a space up there with the Dr Martens, Vans, and Timberlands. Another draw card is the extension of the Emu Australia range. While the uber Instagram-able sheepskin slippers are a firm favourite, this season the Emu cosy minis and leather ankle boots have been brought in to give the customers even more choice. As someone who loves to wear sheepskin boots all year round, I’m a pretty good road tester – and it’s fair to say I’m a big fan of this brand for its combination of price and durability.
Snuggly boots aside, the season ahead will see farm style Blundstones styled with flowing dresses, Dr Martens remaining the unisex wardrobe must-have, and street shoes and sneakers the cool, comfortable backstop. Whether for trends or staples Solect likes to think it has all bases covered.