vintage boot photo by flickr user mdthphys.

I am a boot junkie. There is nothing like reaching that midpoint in October when the weather has juuuust about turned into Fall for good (and Winter is right around the corner) - it's a call for the end of any ill-advised Summer sandals and DEFINITELY marks the end of the season for my arch-nemesis: the flip-flop. I say the more shoe, the better - always - and in celebration of this magical time of year, here are the top three things I take into consideration when thrifting or eBaying the perfect vintage boot...

THE SIZE: I fully realize that there's a "Captain Obvious" joke in here somewhere, but make sure the vintage shoe fits before laying down your cash. When you've got real-life access to the boots, make sure that they'll be as comfortable and fitted with thick, woolly socks as they will with thinner pairs - you'll thank yourself when you're actually able to wear them year-round. And as with the case of ANY vintage item on eBay, be sure to check the measurements of the boot against a pair you know and love - this will lessen the chances that those badass fringed cowboy boots will run a half-size too large and haunt you forever and ever from that place they live in your closet, never to be worn again. Not that that's ever happened to me.

THE STATE: Thrifting is the best position to be in when you're seeking out the perfect boot, as you've got an up close and personal look at what could possibly GO WRONG. Make sure to bend and twist the sole and give the body of the boot a good once-over. If you notice severe dryness and/or cracking, it's a sure sign to put them down and back away slowly. If the damage is limited to the sole, there's always a chance they can be saved by your local shoe repair place, but I always try to save that option for only the most worthy of secondhand finds - a good re-soling starts at about . Luckily, shoes are usually vetted past this point by the time an eBay seller puts them up for bid, but be aware of the small print in the listing and know your rights as a consumer - if the "mint condition" booties you just paid for split in half during their second wear, you have more than just cause to gently demand a refund.

THE SAFE BET: If you just aren't up for the thrill of the vintage boot chase this year, buying new is, of course, an option. The beauty of secondhand (besides that pre-loved feeling) is often the price, and new boots rank pretty high on the list of Things I Would Rather Not Spend Money On. In that spirit, make sure that when you DO buy new that you're investing in a pair that's going to last in both quality and sheer timelessness. You really can't ever go wrong with a classic Frye Harness or Engineer Boot - and the lifetime warantee the company (the oldest boot company in America, AHEM) makes them well worth the price.

What are your vintage boot prerequisites, and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, what boot trends are you digging this season??