Bye bye cutie booties - YouLookFab Forum

I LOVE the idea of the Halogen booties that I got at the Anniversary sale, but I just cannot bring myself to put them on to wear out (to work especially). I think they're lovely and cute, but totally unwalkable for me. I'm teetering all around in them! Since I haven't worn them, I think I'm going to return them (ok, I'm about 99% sure).

In their place, instead of getting some equally as sexy booties...I'm looking at combat style boots (hahaha!!!). Flat and nice. These probably won't make it into the office either, but honestly, they have a better chance!

Anyway, these are my two options, in black more than likely, since I have my short fryes in brown. What says the crowd? The taller boots are Timberlands with a lug sole for better traction, but they are also a bit taller. The short ones are Steve Maddens with a slick bottom (from appearance), and a side zipper...which I cannot deny looks handy.

Nordstrom

Halogen 'Camden' Peep Toe Bootie (Women)

$119.95 $46.97

Sale

View Info

Top Pick

Zappos

Timberland Earthkeepers Savin Hill Mid Boot

$180.00

View Info

Top Pick

Macy's

Steve Madden Women's Troopa Boots

View Info

Top Pick

9 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

like the steve maddens...although this may be because of the color and because i saw a great outfit in seattle that used a similar lace up bootie that i want do duplicate.

Kristin SF

I tried the Troopas last year and maybe I got a bum version, but the top of the boot really cut into my foot. I had to return. (My one and only time returning a once-worn shoe to Nordstrom and taking advantage of their awesome customer service!) Your mileage may vary.

Just FYI, the Timberlands do have an inside zip too! And the lug sole is very appealing, esp in winter. But the height of the boot shaft may make it more difficult to create outfits with, I dunno. I get why the Troopas might be more versatile. My one piece of advice is to try on and walk around for a bit before committing to them.

Good luck! And don't feel bad about the original booties. 3 3/4 inches is hard to walk in for most people! I'm glad you're being practical and acknowledging that you won't wear them enough to justify keeping. I still have a pair of 4" shoes languishing in my closet, never worn.

Beth Ann

I saw these Steve Maddens at DSW, and I liked their looks. You could always get a non-slip sole put on the bottom of them at a shoe repair place.
The Timberlands are probably warmer.

Diana

I have tried the Steve Maddens and I found them to be really thin and flimsy, and the sole was quite hard and unpadded. I find this is true of most SM shoes, and in fact I won't buy them any more because of the poor quality. So I vote timberlands, which I have always found to be good quality.

Aida

Glad to hear you're (probably) returning the uncomfortable booties! Teetering is never good. I like the look of the Steve Maddens (that color!) but am fairly certain the Timberlands would be a better quality and probably more comfortable shoe. I think you'll really just have to try them both to see which, if either, will work for your feet.

I have a similar SM flat combat boot to the one you show here in olive, and the fabric is indeed very thin and the sole is hard and unpadded. My feet aren't very fussy though, so I don't find it too problematic BUT I also certainly can't wear them when it's truly cold out.

Also wanted to mention that if you still wanted a heeled bootie, there are a lot of options this year with sturdier, shorter heels. I'm attaching some of the ones in my finds, haven't tried any of these on (they're just pretty ^^). Except the two last pairs (the cream, and the black with the chains), those I do own and really like.

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Anthropologie

Ariana Bohling Lola Booties

ASOS

Gardenia Leather Heeled Boots

BP 'Train' Wrap Belted Bootie (Women)

$99.95 $59.96

Vince Camuto 'Vala' Bootie (Nordstrom Exclusive) (Women)

$138.94 $69.47

Dolce Vita 'Yazmina' Leather Bootie (Women)

$259.95 $139.97

Wood Wood Thelma White Leather Flat Boot

Sveta

(website)

I had an earlier version of SM Troopa and was not thrilled with the quality at all.
The comfort was OK but not great, the sole is slippery and thin and they literally fell apart after a couple of years (this never happened to any of my other boots). I am off SM brand now based on my experience!
However this is really funny how you switched completely into an opposit direction here - from sky high dressy stilletto heels to tough conbat boots. There are styles in between you know - with low and manageable heels but dressy enough for work. I like Aida's selections and here are more.

Munro 'Austin' Leather Bootie (Women)

$224.95 $139.90

UGG Australia 'Jo' Leather Chelsea Boot (Women)

$174.95 $117.22

Sam Edelman 'Justin' Leather Bootie (Women)

deb

I am with you on this one. Shoes need to be practical and beautiful, as well as wearable.

Von

Thanks ladies for all of the suggestions. This is the first time I've checked back here, but I stopped by Nordstrom earlier, and I made the very same conclusions as you all after seeing the Troopas in person. They felt flimsy, and I didn't like the sole. The didn't strike me as durable, as I am hard on my shoes -- ask the Fryes I just had resoled :(. The timbs will definitely be my shoe if I decide to go combat style...and good catch on the zipper Kristin!

Sveta, I was having a no compromise kind of day! But today I actually saw those DV boots with the chains that Aida posted (in suede) and they are definite contenders, and more my speed.

Honestly, I've been having some knee problems lately, and I'm pretty sure the culprit is my running shoes, and once that's taken care of, (aka buy new running shoes!) I think I might be in a better space mentally and physically to shop for replacement cute boots, and not completely dash the idea of finding cute + walkable!

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