Booties: probably a loaded question

So.. what do you think of these?

http://resources.shopstyle.com.....ooties.jpg

And these?

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=64293552

I really hope you all like them. Because I bought both today at DSW, in my Quest for Booties to Wear with Skirts and Dresses.

I tried on everything in the store. And concluded that these were the best for me. Based on

1) Comfort: these are unbelievably comfortable. Like slippers. With low heel I could walk and stand in all day long.

2) Flattery: I have delicate ankles and these play them up, way better than anything else I tried on today. Even the ones that are loose around the ankles, which is supposed to make your ankles look more slender. Which they did... but remember I'm also only 5'.. so they hit just a little too high on me.. or .. I dunno.. maybe it's my eye that isn't adjusted? They all just made me look like I was wearing oversized shoes, clunking around in mom's shoes, playing dress up??? I could be wrong....

Fears and doubts:

These are absolutely Identical, maybe even the same brand, to a 10 year old pair of booties I have kept in my closet all this time. Those are pleather and safe black. They are just as comfortable, which is why I never threw them away. I used to wear them all the time to work with dress slacks. But I'm totally paranoid... is this shape "dated"? Because seriously these are exact same shape as the 10 year old pair! Just in more interesting color/texture/animal print......................

I am planning on keeping and playing with the bootie trend. I can see how these would work with skirts and dresses in my closet. I have outfits in mind. The two pairs were a fraction of what I might've spent on some of the booties I spotted online, and posted links before. If these get wear, I may bite on the Aquatalia's next. I am just highly curious ... because the rule is supposed to be 10 years and they are dated? Are these dated?

11 years ago

pil

Veteran

I like them. What makes them dated? And as someone with cankles I am totally jealous.

shiny

I don't know Pil, that's why I'm asking! Because of the 10 year rule. I have an identical pair, in black, that is at least 10 years old. I know because I had them before I moved into my house, over 9 years ago. I held on to them this long merely because they are so darn incredibly comfortable. I have not worn them in years. Tried them on with my midi length sheath recently, when it was suggested to wear the sheath with booties. I wasn't sure if they worked, were they too dated? To my eye the black booties with black dress was too much black... but I wasn't sure about the shape itself?

Did I mention they are SUPER comfortable??

Firecracker (Sharan)

That is such a classic shape--the sleek bootie, toe, and heel--that apparently it has held its currency well, because it's definitely wearable now. Great find!

deb

These are so cute. I miss wearing heels!

catgirl

They are very cute, but why didn't you wear the other ones you had? I'm concerned these will be orphaned if the other ones were. Or am I misunderstanding you?

Alaskagirl, I used to wear them constantly, every day, with dress slacks and boot cuts but not ever with dresses/skirts. I stopped wearing them when I started wearing tall boots and tucking my skinnies into them. So much more practical in mucky winter weather. And opting for tall boots with skirts and dresses.

Also I stopped wearing them simply because they are black. I went through a "no black footwear" challenge awhile back, and that has basically stuck. I can see the style purpose of black booties, if you want to wear them with black tights and create a long, lean line. But I think I would opt for black booties with more interest than these, which are just too plain.

Last year or so when booties w/dresses first took hold it seemed they all had rounded toes, and platform heels. I was lusting over a pair like that, I wanted black suede, but had to be walkable heel height. Never found a pair that was comfortable. That shape looked modern and up to date to me compared to the old pair in my closet. Now I can't find anything like that style in the stores, but I see this shape -- same as my old ones -- everywhere.

Isabel

I also don't think that they look dated. I think that they are very classic looking and the women who love them where them all the time. I think that this is about you and your style and these are just FAB for that !

Congrats !

Isabel, I LIKE wearing trends. I like the look of a lot of the trendy booties out there right now -- but the look just doesn't like me back. In some cases, yes the trend just isn't me (metal studs). But many of these I would give a whirl, if I didn't think they looked ridiculous on me.

Or maybe my instinct is to err on the side of flattery when choosing shoes, and these are definitely more flattering to my ankles than higher ones and/or ones that are supposed to be deliberately loose around the ankle. When choosing tall boots we look for boots that are slim around the ankle, right? Maybe I can't get around the look of booties that aren't slim around the ankle. And maybe the reality is that my ankles are too slim for most of the booties out there, which is why I was having trouble. Also I have the short factor at play too: my ankles are short. Just like my neck and the rest of me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I know what you mean about them looking dated because I had similar initial thoughts, Jennifer.

The booties will look beautiful with bootcuts and flared legs - THAT is a classic combination with this style of bootie. With tapered legs, dresses and skirts, we need you to model the look to be sure. The noses of the boots are very long for that particular pairing, if you know what I mean.

But I am holding out hope.

And that's a problem, Angie, because my pants are all hemmed for a taller heel than that. (Add that to another reason I stopped wearing the others! Too low for where I'd had new pants hemmed).

They are super comfy so I'm going to try to get the look to work. These were the ones I had my eye on:
http://www.endless.com/Aquatal.....dlesscj-20

.. And I honestly do not see much different in the toe. But the Aquatalia's are higher. And also wayyyy more expensive. I figured I could give these less expensive alternatives a whirl, and if I find I like them and wear them often enough, then I could justify the Aquatalia's.

That Aquatalia bootie is beautiful.

Not all hope is lost, Jennifer! Try on the booties you bought with the outfits that you had in your head, and lets get you sorted.

Suz

I am no help because I have a sort of poison eye for delicate heels on booties. But that is partly because I don't think they flatter me. If these are as comfy as you say, I suggest keeping at least one pair!

I will do a try-on/photo session when I get a chance. I did just realize I have one pair of denim that shrunk in the wash and will probably work with these booties. Also I haven't hemmed the new jeans yet, so maybe I will hem them to work with these. I am also wondering how they would work with black ponte knit skinnies, so I'll try that out as well.

I really do like them both. I will figure out how to get them to work! And I'm tossing the old black ones, and another, very similar, pair of brown ones, so there's room in my closet for these new additions, and still room should I find a THIRD pair too. It's probably going to be easier to add booties, rather than tall boots. All the tall boots were way too tall, and calves too wide. Looks like I'll be sitting out yet another year on the tall boots.

Suz -- I did try on booties with chunkier heels too. I prefer more delicate heels. I think that says something about my overall style and where it's landed these days. If I was to do chunky, I'd opt for a wedge. I did try on a cute pair of purple suede wedge booties, but they were just not as comfortable.

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