Keep or Return: NAS brown riding boots

So in my other Aquatalia boot thread, Isis helpfully provided a link in which Angie discussed calf fit on knee length boots (that it should be no more than 1/4 inch wider than your calf), something that was totally not on my radar (I was mainly concerned about shoe size, heel height and style). I think I may still keep the Aquatalia boots even though they're slightly wide, because I'm so in love with the unique color.

But now I'm worried because I had recently bought a pair of chocolate brown riding boots (Via Spiga Kacey) at the Nordstrom sale and was wearing them quite happily until I found out about that link. Now I realize that they are even bigger than the Aquatalia and am wondering whether I should return them (not sure if that is even possible, since they've already been worn outside a couple of times, although I heard that Nordstrom is pretty lenient with returns). I really like the look/style of the boots, but should I be looking for something slimmer? I can put my whole hand behind my calf and fit it into the top of the boot.

I measured my calf circumference and it is 13.25 inches. For comparison, the red Aquatalia boots are listed at 13.75 inches. The brown Kacey boots are listed at 14.5 inch circumference.

Here is the boot:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....ot/3172666

Here's some pictures of me wearing the boot:
I am wearing it in a 7.5 and it is loose enough to wear socks underneath.
http://tinyurl.com/3wfrw53
http://tinyurl.com/3fk7d9z
http://tinyurl.com/3lmpcek
http://tinyurl.com/3w5ylpu

What should I do? Keep or return? If I return, what brown boots come in a slimmer silhouette? I'm bummed because it was a good price on sale and if I have to buy a replacement pair it will probably be more expensive. I'm willing to spend up to about $350 if it's a good pair though.

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I wish I could help but I am no expert Im sure others will come to your rescue I think the boots look great tho. The stiffness of the leg might help you to get away with the width (Im not sure). I didn't really notice until I enlarged your photos. Do you wear them equally with pants and dresses/skirts, tucked pants, etc that might make a difference too.

Louise

I'm afraid they are too tall which is causing the gaping. If you can I vote return and look for a killer pair. I think if you keep these and the red Aquatalias you will always see the gap and not feel fab in them x

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

They are beautiful boots but too long in the shaft. These worked on my 6ft tall client. I think you're looking for 14 inch shafts in fitted riding boots.

Don't worry! You will find them

modgrl

The expert has spoken on style but I must add that after you've worn them outside a few times it is too late to post a keep or return.This is really taking advantage of Nordstrom's good will and good customer service policies.

goldenpig

Oh dear, maybe I'll post them for sale on my mom swap group then. Since I got a really good deal at the sale, I could probably recoup most of my money even with selling it at a big discount of the current full price and pass along my savings to someone else. They are really great boots.

Thanks Angie for the boot height advice. I found these boots:
La Canadienne Galaxy--I really like the look of these
http://www.zappos.com/la-canad.....rown-suede
Heel Height: 2 3⁄4 in
Shaft: 13 1⁄2 in
Circumference: 13 1⁄2 in
Would that work better? Is 13.5 inches height OK?

Other options:
La Canadienne Ramona--but I don't love the overall shape of the heel so much
http://www.zappos.com/la-canad.....wn-leather
Heel Height: 2 in
Shaft: 14 1⁄2 in
Circumference: 13 in

or
Frye Taylor Harness--but I think this is too rugged looking to wear with my skirts
http://www.zappos.com/frye-tay.....wn-leather
Heel Height: 2 1⁄2 in
Shaft: 14 in
Circumference: 13 1⁄2 in

rae

I also think they are both too tall and too wide in the shaft. :T

Lisa

I'm another too tall and wide vote. Don't worry you will find your perfect boots.

Aida

Sorry to say but another vote for too tall, too wide. You'll find your boots, keep looking

Marigold

Active Member

What helped me in my search of perfectly fitting brown (well, cognac) riding boots was reading the reviews and ordering the ones where people complained about the shaft being too narrow for them - they usually work for me, my calves are barely 13".
Zappos is great for ordering and returning shoes/boots - that's my first spot when looking for shoes/boots (I return a lot, unfortunately as I have skinny fussy feet, skinny ankles and skinny calves- lol, you get the picture!).
GL, you'll find the perfect fitting pair of boots

Good tip about the fit reviews, Isabella. I was looking on Zappos and it lets you filter the results both by calf circumference and by shaft height which is really useful (that's how I found the 3 boots I posted above). I ordered the Galaxy boots in 7.5 and 8 from Zappos and they agreed to upgrade me to VIP status, so the boots should be here tomorrow. Woohoo! Hope this one works out!
ETA: What was the pair of cognac boots that you ended up getting, Isabella?

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