Showing posts with label folk boots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label folk boots. Show all posts

Thursday 17 November 2016

Valenki - bohemian felted boots

Valenki are traditional Russian winter footwear 
Hand painted felted boots
They are made by felting wool felt and are essentially felt boots. Traditionally they come without a sol and worn with 'galoshi' (rubber or plastic cover) to protect the soles from water and wear. I remember wearing Valenki in the kindergarten back in Moscow, so did everyone else 😍 Valenki used to be a traditional foot wear in Russia, but then they became seen as unpractical mostly in the cities. 
Hand painted felted boots Valenki

Hand painted felted boots Valenki
Today, when we witness revival of ethnic and eco friendly clothing, valenki become a popular choice for bohemian boots for organic clothes lovers.
Valenki are warm felted highboots made from dried sheep’s wool, they are quite soft and get the form of the human's sol. They are traditionally worn for walking on dry snow when the weather is frosty, so they best place for them would be a ski resort ⛷🎿
The best ones are either hand painted:
Hand painted felted boots Valenki


or hand embroidered: 
Hand embroidered felted boots Valenki

Wear Valenki with a Folk Merino Gilet: 

Or a shawl:
Extra large Bohemian olga Spanish shawl