“Take the road less traveled, but first get some new shoes.” —Anonymous
All footwear stems from seven basic shoe styles: pump, boot, oxford, sandal, clog, mule, and moccasin. Coco Chanel said: “With four pairs of shoes, I can travel the world.” Agree?
At Westerlind, there are leather boots for hiking; rubber boots for rain or snow; sheepskin slippers for cold weather; sandals for when it’s hot. Shoes for biking, hiking, and gardening. Sneakers for walking, running, climbing. And the cutest kids’ boots ever!
Andrea Westerlind, the founder, is a native Swede who has a close connection to nature, in part because the Swedish landscape is vast and varied. She’s had various positions related to outdoor gear for many years, both in Sweden and the US, before moving her operation to Millerton.
Expanding at a record pace, Andrea now has stores not only in Great Barrington but also in Kingston and Hudson, her latest location. And after spending time with her, I’m sure the next venture is already developing in her mind.
What sets Andrea apart as a retail visionary is part raw talent, part determination, and without a doubt, a strong point of view. What makes her curation interesting is a laser eye for the progressive in both TECH and FASHION, mixed with a leaning toward classic brands, colors, and styles.
It was at Westerlind that I found shoes and boots from companies whose footwear I had purchased at least 40 years ago: Le Chameau boots, Birkenstock sandals, Ilse Jacobsen rain boots, Swedish Hasbeens (clogs), Shepherd of Sweden slippers, and Salomon hiking boots.
I love anything with red laces!
According to Simon Kristoph, the visual director at Westerlind, selling hiking boots is an important part of their business. “As style-conscious as we are, we love the outdoors—it has always been the basis for inspiration. And you can’t do proper outdoor adventures without a solid hiking boot, or sneaker equivalent. And they better be waterproof! One thing for sure, our love of GORE-TEX is never-ending. It’s the ultimate waterproofing in footwear.”
Simon adds: “Our love for rain boots is two-fold. First, they are so darn cute when done right! Second, they serve an important purpose in Nordic countries, where it’s rainy and wet for about half of the year. Lately, Andrea has been stocking French brands for the rain.”
He continues: “No one does a chic rubber rain boot like the French…REAL rubber-lined boots with wool…from Le Chameau, founded in l864. Also, bright yellow, lace-up rain boots from Ilse Jacobsen of Denmark. They will make you smile in any weather. And your kids can have pint-sized versions.”
When I visited Westerlind, I was struck by the variety of sheepskin-lined slippers.
I asked: Does everyone in Sweden own multiple pairs?
Simon’s answer: “The Swedes are really the true masters of ‘cozy.’ And they need to be because winters are so cold. It’s no accident that they are experts at shearling. There’s something about the way they craft shearling that sets shearling slippers from Sweden apart from all others. Shearling is a high-quality, natural fiber with workhorse durability. It’s also antimicrobial, breathable, and doesn’t require a sock…let’s say it’s ‘nature’s sock’.”
You have lots of shoes to wear with pants…are there any to wear with skirts or dresses?
Simon: “I mean, don’t get me wrong—we love an elevation around here. Just not so much in footwear. Occasionally, we bring in a high-heeled clog or wooden-heel hiker, but they have to be really comfortable. Mostly, we stick to good-looking, functional footwear…durable shoes for everyday wear and travels.”
I am used to shoes made from natural materials: leather, suede, rubber, wool, and sheepskin. Now I see that Birkenstock offers its classic sandals in EVA foam. And Westerlind carries them! What do you think of this trend?
Andrea: “Birkenstock has been making shoes in Germany and around the world since 1774. I like the suede and cork sandals for my comfort and have been wearing them for years. However, I will support Birkenstock’s effort to introduce a line of colorful EVA models and await feedback from our customers. And I hope and pray that they do not end up floating in the ocean where no more plastic pollution is needed.”
Last question for Simon: Socks with Birkenstocks?
“Haha! OMG—yes! So cute, and in winter you have to, no?
I recommend a good Norwegian, breathable wool sock. Our favorite is Devold. They do an amazing winter sock called ‘Nansen.’ It’s old-school, explorer gear, also very tough, rugged, and super handsome with sandals. For myself, I like warm socks, but also fun socks to amuse and make you smile when you look down at your feet.”
And one more for Andrea: I’ve heard it said: You can judge a man by his shoes and socks.
Andrea’s reply: “I’m not sure about judging a man, but I’m sure the shoes carried by Westerlind say a lot about us: we like footwear for outdoorsy types.
We judge shoes by weight, durability, comfort, the materials they are made of, and as you can see by the photos, our preference is for ‘classic’ shapes that don’t go out of style…ever!”
Westerlind is a good place to visit if you agree that …
Shoes are like ice cream.
There’s always room for more.
