Living in Ojai during the fall, winter, and spring months has taught me just how chilly the evenings can get. It’s not unusual for temperatures to dip into the high 30s in winter, or the low to mid-40s in fall and spring. That’s where my favorite footwear comes in.

I have a pair of Clark’s dark brown, leather ankle boots lined with a soft fur that makes them wonderfully comfortable. The suede leather is supple, and the roomy interior lets my wide feet relax. The sturdy rubber sole is practical without being clunky, which means I can easily navigate our 2 ½ acres in those boots, paired with jeans, a sweater, and a jacket. They’re also waterproof—not for splashing through puddles perhaps, but certainly reliable in heavy dew or a passing rainstorm.

Best of all, they’re warm. I don’t need thick socks, which keeps my feet from feeling cramped. And while I’m no fashion maven, I do appreciate clothes that are simple, functional, and just stylish enough. These boots fit that description perfectly. I can wear them out in the orange grove or just as comfortably to dinner at a nice restaurant.

I bought them from a small, family-run shoe store on the town square in Sherman, Texas. Supporting local businesses matters to me, and since I wear a smaller size, I often luck into great discounts there. That’s an extra bonus—I do love a bargain.

When I first tried them on, the proprietor told me, “My wife loves those boots so much, she bought two pair.” I now understand why. After buying my first pair, I quickly went back for two more—one in dark brown, the other in black. Now I’m simply waiting for the temperatures to drop so I can pull them on again.