fitted ankle vs knee high boots - YouLookFab Forum

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fitted ankle vs knee high boots

Queen Mum

Veteran

I can buy exactly one more new pair of shoes this season (and even that is pushing it).

I've been feeling that I need a sleek pair of knee high boots for when I want a dressier vibe than my engineer(?) boots http://www.shoebuy.com/pi/brow.....497_jb.jpg

I've had my eye on these...
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ec.....n=wishlist

but today as I was browsing in Macy's, these caught my eye (they were cuter in person)
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....AND%3DEasy Spirit%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D7
or something like these
http://www.zappos.com/product/7840443/color/72
http://www.zappos.com/clarks-m.....ap_pdp_sub

so I began to contemplate whether a sleek fitted ankle boot such as these, worn with tights, would work equally as well with dresses, still give a sleeker, dressier (not formal) vibe and at the same time be a bit more fashion forward and unexpected than simple knee high boots.

anyone follow what I'm trying to say? Essentially, would I feel that I had a gaping hole in my wardrobe going with an ankle bootie rather than a knee high bootie. I'm especially thinking of my 2 new dresses.. the JNY leaf print and the Eliza J in eggplant.

help me think this through out loud....

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from Queen Mum

Aida

Veteran

Kim, those ankle boots do not look very "sleek" nor "dressy" to me, and certainly not in the way the boots do.

Kate

Veteran

I love the Easy Spirit boots, Queen Mum. I've wrestled with this question too, but for my lifestyle, casual works better than dressy.

I too was browsing in Macy's shoe department this weekend while waiting for my husband, and these boots jumped into my hand and begged me to buy them.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lu.....1517B1882A

I did. I'm a sucker for a pair of boots that beg!

Queen Mum

Veteran

Aida- you're right... those particular ones aren't overtly dressy, but I guess the heel makes them seem "dressier" to me than my existing Franco Sarto Engineer boots.

Kate-- those are fab! glad they found their way home with you.

tarzy

Veteran

Yeah, I agree with Aida. To my (admittedly challenged) eye, they are quite different "vibes." The tall boots seem a bit more sophisticated? And the ankle boots seem more casual. All are great and stylish (you couldn't be anything less!) but different.

If you don't have any knee high dress boots, I think that's a definite hole, since you do wear dresses so well.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Kim, I hear you loud and clear. My thoughts have been running in exactly the same direction.

I DO in fact have a somewhat "dressier" pair of knee-high boots with a bit of a heel, but I've also been wondering if booties and tights could fill the same need. I ended up ordering a pair of heeled booties to try. I am not convinced they will work on my stumpy legs. but I'm going to see. http://www.softmoc.com/ca/syst.....3052-61600

I love the booties you linked to. I have a soft spot for granny style boots! And I do think they'd work well with certain dresses and skirts. But I suspect you may have to try on to compare; they won't look at all the same as the dressy boot you linked to, and your eye will have to determine which look you're really aiming towards.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Tara- I think you might be right... about the hole. Part of me wants to buy a fashion forward trendy shoe, but the other part realizes that a classic pair of knee high boots will serve me for years. I should probably get the basic in place before I try to add the trendy?

(like I said, I just need to think out loud here)

Queen Mum

Veteran

Thanks Suz, I'm glad to know I'm not alone in my thinking. Those Seibels are really cute BTW

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Kim, I recently read an interesting post at Already Pretty about the basics of a boot wardrobe. Might be useful.

http://www.alreadypretty.com/2.....art-1.html

and

http://www.alreadypretty.com/2.....art-2.html

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Those Ecco boots are gorgeous!
I also love the lace up boots. I think that the ankle boot with dresses would be much less expected and certainly more trendy.
But.. the tall boots may be something you would get more wear out of in the long run.
Tough decision. Sorry that I am not much help. I just increased your indecision.

Isis

Veteran

Kim, I like the idea of being fashion forward, and I think booties will also serve you well.

But somehow, I don't see you with granny booties, but, rather, with a sophisticated sleeker bootie.

What about the Tsubos's mentioned on Rae's thread:
http://www.tsubo.com/Cusus/813.....w-arrivals

6pm has them on sale, and I can see you in sleek interesting booties with the Eliza J and the other dress.....

Aida

Veteran

Hmm well if a dressy boot is lacking, that seems like a better choice to me; even with the heel on the Easy Spirit pair, I see it fully as a casual shoe (thick heel, distressed leather, etc.). Now the first pair you later added is definitely on the dressier side (Clarks Palmyra Leona). It's funkier than the knee high pair to me, depends on whether you want a more classic look or not; it may also be harder to style a shorter boot than a tall boot, so the effort may be another factor to consider.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I agree that the short boot isn't the same level of formality as the short boot. Having said that, I understand how you feel given that in the last two weeks I have bought tall burgundy leather, knee high flat grey suede, tall lace up dark grey leather, knee high blue/grey synthetic, knee high brown with quilted back, ankle brown with fur trim and khaki ankle boots. Sadly, I think I may have missed one. Did I mention that I bought Miz Mooz Francis riding boot in brown and Frye OTK Sarah in black late last winter and only got to wear them once or twice before it warmed up?

Okay back to your boots. I love the taller boot and think they will be more versatile and dressy than the short. Could you buy a fun inexpensive pair of short boots and put your buying power into the taller dressier boots?

kellygirl

Veteran

I don't think you can go wrong with the tall boot or the Leona. I really like both. The Leona does look more trendy and hip though. I think the tall boots would look great with your new dresses....I'm on the fence.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't know if this helps sway you but it's a fun slideshow nonetheless http://style.lifegoesstrong.co.....nkle-boots
I am super excited about my new booties I finally decided on. Wearing a bootie with a dress is so new to me it's likely the bravest fashion leap I've made in years. Can't wait for cooler weather to take them out for a spin.

Anonymous

Kim, modern classic is NEVER boring on you. I love the tall dressy heeled boots. Your "engineer" boots are casual. Do you want another casual pair? Do you want something edgy and fashion forward or something sleek and refined? They are all nice boots, it just depends on what you really want, and what you will get the most use out of, this year and the next. Just trying to help you think it through. Can't wait to see what you end up with. (Maybe you could get one more pair in January when they all go on sale)!

Heather

Veteran

Kim, don't you like to debut your new shoes at church? ;D I vote those hot, sleek tall boots. Great with skinnies, frocks, skirts and under bootcuts. Brilliant.

Anonymous

I totally agree that ankle boots with tights can often serve the same purpose as tall boots. For some outfits I will swap them out interchangeably.

However, if you don't have a sleek pair of tall boots, I'd probably vote for those. They are so classic versatile. I like that they can be worn with thick tights, hose, or bare legs. With ankle boots I tend to stick with opaques...though I have worn ankle socks when I'm feeling brave and the weather allows!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Also, if I can put a vote in for Ecco...in general the quality is very high and (for me at least) they are very comfortable. Haven't tried this particular boot but when you consider how difficult it can be to get a classic tall boot that fits well...more food for thought!

Queen Mum

Veteran

Thanks all for helping me think through this. I realize after thinking it through, I really do need a basic pair of black dressy boots. I can add a more fashion forward pair next year. What would I do without all of you to bounce my thoughts off of?

Joy

Veteran

Kim, I bought those Ecco Hope boots in dark brown after loving the similar Ecco Hobarts I got last year in black. Ecco makes an excellent and comfortable boot. The Hope boot seems to be a boot that can be dressed up or down. The strap and buckle make the shaft width adjustable for wearing with skirts or to tuck in jeans. I think you'll be very happy with them.

Queen Mum

Veteran

thanks Joy for the review. I've yet to get to try them on, but I love how they look. I do notice that they periodically go on sale at Amazon, but I want to be able to try them on first because with Amazon you have to pay return shipping. Glad to hear that you've had a good experience with them!