by KELLI WEMPLE

Missoula’s 40 year old downtown retail footwear, more space has been dedicated to boots than ever before, with an increased variety of styles, heights and colors that are on display just this year.  

80 DIFFERENT STYLES AND COLOR COMBINATIONS.
Among the available inventory are: Short and tall fashion boots in smooth and suede leather styles, boots with straps and brass hardware or zippers and buttons; fancy boots with high heels, more casual boots with low heels; western inspired boots, cozy sheepskin boots and wool-lined boots. For practical purposes there are fashionable waterproof boots, functional winter boots, American-made work-boots and the list goes on and on…

This time of year, functionality aside, boots are often the centerpiece of any fabulous outfit. On chilly days, boots make skirts wearable. They also give polish to jeans and add a down-to-earth feel to more delicate pieces. Boots increase the versatility of your clothes, and every woman should have a pair or two or three…

Here are a few fashion tips to help you pull together a great cool-weather outfit:
When pairing a fuller skirt with high-heeled boots, the look is more refined for your hem to fall just over the top of your boot. With a fitted shape, allow a few inches between your hem and your boot.
Wear thigh-high stilettos with a mini or wear flatter boots. Either way, consider wearing tights, you’ll look more conservative and pulled together. Wear chunkier boots (wedges) with longer styles, but save your beat up boots for jeans!
Wear ankle boots with pants. They slip on easily under your pants and don’t feel restrictive on your legs, or for an ultramodern edge and even more popular — a lower cut called the “shootie.” Slouch boots go well with skinny pants & leggings or tuck those inside taller boots for a glamorous air.
Visit any online fashion website for more ideas and to browse for the numerous styles available to choose something that would suit your taste. Sometimes you have to look at a lot of styles before you find something you like.

Hide and Sole Tip:
Be extra careful about buying boots from a catalog or online store since every boot (and shoe) fits differently and really needs to be tried on. There are extra potential problems in the way a boot will fit your foot, your ankle and especially your calf. So it really is best to shop locally or in a store where you can try on as many different styles, cuts, widths and heights as possible. Take your time in choosing the best combination of at least four criteria: fit, comfort, price and looks. And remember, if you find the right combination, just give yourself the  BOOT!

by AIMEE MCQUILKIN
photo by TAYLAR ROBBINS

As a professional observer of fashion, I can’t help but notice that the election year has definitely had some noticeable influence on what we wear.
In fact, I predict that 2012 will go down in the annals of fashion history as the year of working class style. Everyone wants to be the champion of the middle and working classes these days, so it makes sense that we start dressing the part, right?
Or perhaps it doesn’t have anything to do with politics; maybe our present-day preoccupation with all things technological leaves us with an empty feeling. We long to get back to the land, to use our hands to build something other than a Facebook post … we yearn to be doing and making, or at least just looking like we are.
Imagine a Bruce Springsteen’s song magically translated into an outfit; clean, dark blue jeans, perhaps cuffed at the hem … laced-up brown leather ankle boots … woolen Pendleton work shirts. What’s more, both the ladies and the gents are rockin’ this style right now.
That mustachioed hipster walking down the street most likely is not a lumberjack or a longshoreman, but a college student working part time as a barista. You may think the girl seated near you at the wine bar, the one with the long braid, vintage high-waisted jeans and worn denim work shirt makes her living as a wrangler on a ranch, but she’s really just on her lunch break from the bookstore around the corner.
 
Rule No. 1 this Fall : Dress like a Grandpa … even if you’re a girl. Find a sweater with elbow patches, a leather bag reminiscent of a pony express bag, and a vintage wool pea coat and you’ll be right on trend. Don’t forget that herringbone Greek fisherman’s cap and smart guy glasses … you know, the ones with clear lens and no prescription. Yes, believe it or not, these are quite popular.

Rule No. 2: Wear anything made right here in the US of A or from a company who gives some portion of its profits to a child in an under-developed country or creates a knitting job for a woman in Peru. This is most certainly a move in the right direction for us as consumers. Good ole’ working class values at work in the realm of fashion.

Aimee McQuilkin is the owner and fashion maven of Betty’s Divine.

by JEN HILDEBRAND

photos by JODI KEATING

What is fashion without beauty? One of my favorite sections of any fashion magazine is the beauty section. I love reading the newest trends and of course the newest products. From million dollar eye creams, to five dollar lipsticks, Bridget Bardot hair, and crazy manis, this section launched my early obsession with all things beauty.
I can remember being 9 years old and stealing my mom’s Mary Kay lipstick and eye shadow, and at 13 when my mother took me to get my first makeover at a department store cosmetic counter. I used to save up my babysitting money just to pay to have my hair washed and curled at the local hair-cutting chain.
So over the years, I’ve deemed myself somewhat of an expert in the beauty field. From working for a top cosmetic company in college, to my extensive research. You name a product and I can probably tell you something about it. So this month I’m going to give some helpful hints and looks for the upcoming seasons.
Holiday beauty is a huge money maker for cosmetic companies, and with this they usually introduce their funniest and craziest trends. From overly glittered eye shadow, to a purple lip, who knows what they’ll put out. Don’t get me wrong, I love these fun looks, but I can’t exactly get away with the Katy Perry look on a daily basis.
My all-time favorite look is the vintage retro look. Light eyes and a bright lip. But let’s face it ladies, we live in Montana where sometimes the closest we come to lipstick is tinted lip balm (And thank God for that. … I have six in my bag as we speak).
Too many times do I see women overdoing it with their makeup and hair. If you are going through a whole black eyeliner khol a month, it’s time to rethink your look. Black eyeliner can be nice as definition, but the overly smoky eye should be left to Kardashians and Snookies.
Less is more, think of it as doctrine! Less highlights, definitely less bronzer (NO tanning), and less foundation. Use yellow tinted concealers to cover dark bags, and blemishes. A good foundation with key ingredients for your skin usually costs upwards of $30-plus, but is totally worth the money in results. Over-tweezed brows are out, let those babies grow (castor oil applied nightly with a Q-tip to brows helps the growing process a little faster)! Also when it comes to mascara, throw it out every 12 weeks! Eye bugs, ladies!
Yet the sad truth for many of us ladies is that the best beauty secret is more sleep, which will never happen. Thank goodness for eye cream!

by JEN HILDEBRAND

photos by JODI KEATING

With this being my September issue, I thought I'd give out some helpful wardrobe hints for the fall. While looking through my vast black hole of a closet, there are items that I always go back to, my staples that are season-less year after year, pieces every woman should have in their wardrobe.

1 We all hear about the LBD (little black dress) that every woman should own. Well, we live in Montana so my go-to pieces are jeans. You can dress them up or down, and these days they come in a variety of colors instead of your standard denim hues. But ... there are jeans that I recommend everyone stay away from: anything rhinestone or crazy embroidery on the butt pockets. Sorry ladies, this look has sailed ... a long time ago! Slimming classic cuts, with simple pockets are always flattering.

2 A great blazer or tweed jacket will get you through not only fall, but honestly any season. They are both timeless and give that polished look to any outfit. I love to throw on one with jeans. I have a tweed jacket I bought years ago from J.Crew on clearance. Although it may not be Chanel, it does the job! (I will have you someday, Chanel tweed! I may be 65, but I will!)

3 My next favorite are girly blouses, which I’m so glad have made a huge return. Once again, they are flattering for all shapes and readily available in all stores right now.

4 Oh accessories! I'm not much for overdoing it in this department. My rule is if someone can hear you coming by the dangle of your bracelets, you need to take them off. I'm a fan of simple necklaces, worn to the breastbone ... no chokers. Simple watches in gold or even my fav rose gold give a simple flare to any outfit. Lastly, scarves. A great way to stay warm and be chic. My suggestion is stay away from anything too heavy that makes you look like a mummy.

5 Lastly, shoes!! Oh how I love shoes! I am that cliche woman. I love them big, small, cheap and expensive! But honestly, there are shoes in my closet that I always pick, and some that just look pretty in my shoe bin. I absolutely love my blue Frye boots that I stole from my mother years ago. I think she bought these in college! I had them resoled five years ago and they still look brand new. Ladies, fall in love with a good pair of boots; they may cost you a little chunk up front, but they'll last you 35 years! When it comes to heels, think like Carrie ladies! Wear something fun that catches your eye, but stay away from anything that is too high. Oh and anything over 3 inches should only be worn at night. No pole dancing shoes to the grocery store!

by Jen Hildebrand
photos by Michelle Lake

I like to think of Missoula as a mini-Portland, especially with all of the rain we’ve been having lately, but mostly because Missoula is an eclectic mix of folks with all different takes on fashion (and let’s be honest my late night fascination with “Portlandia” ... darn you Netflix).
From hipster chic, to high-end athletic, Missoula even makes fly-fishing gear fashionable. One of the many great things about living in Missoula is our adjacent wilderness. You’re just a 10-minute bike ride from the great outdoors and all it has to offer: clean air, great views ... and a bear or two sometimes.
On the fashion side of things, designers must be spending some quality time in the great outdoors because animal prints are everywhere. I’m not talking leopard, cheetah or any weird exotic skin print. I’m talking actual animal silhouettes printed on fabrics.

From birds to dogs, designers are putting animals on their designs. No need to break the bank for this month’s look, stores like H&M (which will allow us Missoulians to shop online come fall). Local Missoula stores also have a great selection of fun printed basics. The bird dress I model in this month’s photos was purchased for under $5 at H&M recently while traveling.
If you aren’t a fan of the animalistic takeover, prints in general are back, especially native art prints. (I should apologize to my mother-in-law right now because two years ago she came to visit wearing a purple beaded Navajo print top which I made her give to Goodwill because I told her prints like that will NEVER come back...oops! Sorry Annette.)
So ladies, similar to that hysterical “Portlandia” episode, “Put a bird on it,” (this is where you either laugh or YouTube it right now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XM3vWJmpfo) put not just a bird, but any tiny animal on it and go display it in the wild of Missoula ... just stay away from the bears.
Jen Hildebrand is a mom, blogger, blossoming novelist, clothes hoarder and fashion junkie whose heart lies in Montana.