Necessity is the mother of invention. Kim O'Connor, a Duxbury mom and inventor of Boot Chic, a trendy new style on--and increasingly off-the ski slopes, understands that better than anyone.

She has been creating new clothes and accessories for herself and others most of her life: Printed boxer shorts, swanky beach sarongs, and now fashionable ski boot cover-ups. All of these ideas came out of Kim's need for that extra element of flair.

"In college I started painting boxer shorts because there was nothing on the market except white. A few years later printed boxer shorts were the rage," she says.

And, at age 20, while living on Martha's Vineyard, she sold her unique beach tops and sarongs at local surf shops under the label of "Kimz".

"I knew I was good at creating product. And if I liked something and couldn't find it, I would just make it," Kim says. But while she had the creative skills in her early adult years, she lacked the marketing and manufacturing resources needed to take the next step and build a legitimate business.

Over the years her entrepreneurial acumen has sharpened resulting in last year's soft launch of Boot Chic, faux fur covers for ski boots, regular winter boots, and skates. These accessories add a layer of personality onto your outfit. Do you feel posh, funky, sleek, wild, or sophisticated and sexy? There is a Boot Chic to fit your style.

And, once again, the idea came about purely because Kim had an apparel problem in search of a solution.

Last year, while preparing for a ski trip to Deer Valley, Utah with her husband and three sons, Kim realized that her favorite ski pants wouldn't fit into her new boots. A few snips with the scissors and problem solved. But now she had a fashion emergency on her hands. Ski pant cut-offs didn't quite make a stylish statement.

But rather than purchase a new pair of pants, Kim, who has a bachelor of Fine Arts degree and spent 15 years in the commercial textile/furniture industry, was crafty enough to come up with her own quick-fix. The result of her resourcefulness is a new accessory and her own business. Boot Chic- a boot cover that is funky yet practical, has been capturing the attention of ladies gliding down mountains, relaxing in the lodge, and just walking down the street.

The products, which are made in Massachusetts, range in price from $38 for the Boot Chic mini (for the littlest fashionista)to $98 for a faux fur pattern that includes snow leopard, Bengal tiger, or black and white check. (Think tan UGGS paired with the snow leopard pattern to take your boots to a new level of style!)

Creating a viable product line was a learning experience, Kim concedes. She started with multiple focus groups, used the Internet as a tool for reading other apparel manufacturer's blogs, and networked as much as she could. Through that effort she met the owner of a multimillion dollar coat manufacturing business who showed her the ropes of the industry.

"I have been amazed how many people have gone out of their way to help me along," Kim says.

All of which leads to the formal debut of Boot Chic at the Outdoor Retailers winter market trade show taking place in Salt Lake City later this month. This is where buyers purchase products for next year.

But if you want to get a jump on what's sure to be a fashion craze, you can find Boot Chic today in local boutique shops, including The Clothes Line in Scituate. In addition, the products are available for purchase online at www.bootchic.com.

And stay tuned because Kim is not done yet! She will be complementing the Boot Chic line with headbands, wristlets and more, she says.

For more information, visit: www.bootchic.com.

By Stephanie Neil

Stephanie Neil is a journalist. Her business, technology, and human interest stories have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines including eWeek, Managing Automation, The Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Huggies Baby Network, South Shore Woman, and The Boston Globe.  She lives on the South Shore with her two kids, two cats, and a dog. Contact info: stephanieneil@comcast.net  or 781-378-1652. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieNeil