BEAUFORT, S.C. — The chorus of the 1966 Nancy Sinatra song isn't "these boots are made for fashion." It's "these boots are made for walkin'." And with the endless variety of styles, colors, heel heights and toe boxes that hit many of the stores in August, that is exactly what a number of women have been doing — "walkin'," in their fashionable boots that range from sophisticated and sexy leather to understated equestrian-style and even cowboy boots.

Can we get a yee-haw?

Gone are the days when only women in places like Buffalo, N.Y., and Fargo, N.D., wore boots out of necessity. Cute ballet flats don't exactly keep the feet dry when the snow on the ground measures 6-plus inches.

Each year a new boot season seems to bring a bigger harvest to those searching for the perfect pair to add to their wardrobes. "There are so many choices, it is kind of hard to go wrong," Eurydice Sanchez, JCPenney trend specialist for accessories and footwear, said of this year's crop.

"With boots, it is something that is all over the board," said Elton Moody, area sales manager over shoes at Belk in Beaufort, S.C. From flat styles, low heels, stilettos, short ones, tall ones, casual looks and dressier looks, the diversity of boot selections continues to grow each season.

Moody, who has 6Z\x years of experience at Belk and 34 in the shoe industry, said the most popular fashions this season seem to be the slouch boots, followed by any style with faux fur, and third by styles with a bit of metallic trim, such as a buckle or other detailing. "After that, it really just depends on the customer and the style they're looking for," Moody said. "Everything else is just the typical yearly choices we see. I think the manufacturers have realized that they have to make something for everyone."

The slouch boots tend to have a flatter heel, Moody said. Boots with faux fur come in a variety of styles, offering both casual and dressy looks.

If heel height, material, boot height and color weren't enough options to make boot buying complicated, add toe box choices. Pointed, square, round and bump toes (which Moody said look like they ran into something) are among the variety of styles to choose from.

Sanchez, who travels all over the country and throughout Europe to spot footwear trends, talked about the key elements regarding boots this season: style, proportion, fabrication and color.

"We're in the middle of a strong boot cycle right now, and the cycles tend to last four years," Sanchez said. She said the boot season changes every year, and this year it started in August, around back-to-school time. And for JCPenney, Sanchez said boot sales will likely continue through the winter months.

"Part of footwear always goes back to apparel," Sanchez said. "Apparel tends to drive the looks in a lot of boots." Footwear can be coordinated with an outfit, and vise versa. For example, skinny jeans look great with scrunchy, or slouch boots, with the jeans tucked into the boots, Sanchez said.

Before bolting out to buy a new pair of boots based solely on fashion, the American Podiatric Medical Association recommends the following tips for comfort and healthy feet:• Look for a boot that provides stability. A wider heel, less than two inches in height is best.• Make sure the shape of the boot is wide enough for a comfortable fit on your feet. Some boot designs can be too narrow and can cause blisters and bunions.• Try on the boots with hosiery or socks based on how you will wear them. This will ensure the proper fit.• Pick a boot with a firm heel counter. Just because the boot fabric covers your ankle doesn't mean it provides adequate support.Select a boot with a rubber sole and traction on the bottom to curtail slipping. Remember, most fashion boots are not made for the snow.SOURCE: American Podiatric Medical Association