K/R Ara Tala black booties - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R Ara Tala black booties

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

After my return of the Michael Kors ankle boots (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ck-booties) I ordered the Ara Tala black patent ankle boots that Suz had linked to. I know that Vix has a pair of the Ara booties and is quite happy with them.

I got home from work today to see the box on the kitchen island and promptly kicked off my sandals and blazer and popped the booties on. Please ignore the lack of styling. These booties are to wear with skirts and dresses primarily, but also with jeans and trousers. I would wear them with bare legs until the weather is too cold - I know the contrast is high with my pale skin but that doesn't bother me - and then with tights after that. I probably should offer you more stylings with tights, jeans, etc. but it's +40 with the humidity and I just can't muster it

I am looking for refined but not too girly, sleek and very little to no adornment.

A couple of quick things - comfort level is fabulous, heel very manageable, crinkly patent leather very pretty.

But over to you before I say anything more...are THESE my black booties?

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Jjsloane

Nicole D

Veteran

I think these are the ones. I like the look from the front - leg lengthening even with that high contrast issue. Love the silhouette from the side too. I have a pair of patent booties and I do find them very versatile, they go with navy and black I find. Nice choice!

Deborah

Veteran

Yes, I think they just might be your booties:). They are lovely and sleek, love the patent leather and I think they fit your criteria. I really like the look of them on you Shannon. Can I suggest you try them with the trousers you are thinking of wearing them with? I have booties with this v shape vamp and I have found that they can be tricky with some pants. A skinny leg needs to fit into the bootie so to speak and a straight leg needs to be long enough that it doesn't "catch" on the "v" when walking. Mine are mostly worn with skirts:)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So fab!!!! I am excited to be the midwife! Or at least one of the midwives. Vix deserves special commendation, and Angie, too, since these were one of her picks long ago!

Deborah speaks good sense about checking out the booties with your pants. WIth my Reports I have issues (because they fit loosely). With my Munros (same vamp shape but cut more close to the ankle) I have no issues.

Sara L.

Veteran

Ooh, so pretty! They seem to meet all your criteria so if they work with pants (it's hot here too so I completely understand not wanting to change or even move around too much) then I think they could be the ones.

deb

Veteran

I like these!!!

Beth Ann

Veteran

These are special, Shannon. Love the bit of shine, the v cut-out. I have the red Munros, so I love the shape and style.

I would try with matte tights, just to make sure you like the look of patent with an opaque leg.

OohLaa!

Anonymous

They are gorgeous, they highlight your pretty calves and ankles. I think you should try them with trousers just to make sure they work, but for dresses and skirts I think you hae a winner!

Diana

Veteran

Oooh, I like! Nice and sleek and the v-shaped front is so flattering.
They remind me a lot of my Everybody Galla booties, which I have worn with everything from jeans to a cocktail dress, so I think you should find them very versatile too.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Deborah & Beth Ann - I do need to try these with pants and with tights before making a final decision. Might try and do that later this evening.

They are very comfortable and the heel height is perfect. I do have three reservations though and need to know if it's just me:

1. The V shape in the front: I know that's trending right now and is technically supposed to lengthen my leg line but it's quite different for me and I'm not entirely sure I'm sold on the shape.

2. The patent is very shiny, more than I had bargained for. Does this make the booties less versatile?

3. The refinement: I know I said that's what I was looking for, but there's an edge missing in these booties for me. Maybe this is only what I think I should be looking for?

FlorenceFearne

Since you mentioned you're not in love with them, I have to admit I share some of your reservations. I have never been entirely won over to the look of the v shaped front. It looks odd to me somehow. But I'll admit I don't have any issue with the look of the dreaded "flower pot" wide mouth bootie either, so I may be hopeless. And these don't feel completely like "you" to me because as you said, you do generally have a bit more edge. If you want to transition to a sleeker look these would work, but if not, don't push it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, are you retiring your Docs?

If not, are those not your tough and rugged booties?

These the more refined?

Or are you wanting one bootie to rule them all, LOL?

The ones you used to own were not more edgy than this. To me, the patent is both ladylike and slightly unexpected. Not "edgy" exactly -- but more "out there."

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Florence - thanks for your comments. I also don't have any problem with the flower pot look.

Suz - oh goodness no, I'm definitely NOT retiring the Docs. They are still my favourite boots of all time and I plan on wearing the heck out of them again this fall/winter. I guess they are my more rugged booties and I am looking for two pairs. That's an excellent point about my Blowfish booties not being more edgy. Hmmm.....maybe these Ara booties are just freaking me out a bit today for whatever reason...trying on booties in the heat can make anyone confused - lol!

Definitely need to do more styling with the Ara's.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Freakin KILLERIFFIC! I want them now, too... aaaaagh, my sore, sore feet are green with envy.

But to your reservations - I think that the V shape in the front and the patent shine are exactly what gives them a bit of edge and makes them flattering. The "detail" of these aren't additional bells and whistles but the cut and texture. The contrast between the shiny shoe and the texture of tights in winter will be delish. Just my $0.02.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I think these are a little "edgy," or at least fashion forward. Much more so than the Munros. It must come from the patent, which gives a little sci-fi futuristic vibe, along with a "Russian Empress" shape.

I get confusion. I've been rethinking footwear, and I'm an indecisive mess!

Ariadne

Veteran

What Rae said

Marley

Veteran

I think these are wonderful! The patent leather is unexpected and the v-shape cut-out so very, very flattering. I love them - they are different from most black booties that you see - a textural feast for the eyes!

Kari

Veteran

I LOVE the deep V cutout in front. Kind of sensual without being sexpot shoes, if you know what I mean? And I very much agree with Rae about the texture.

Beautiful dress too.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Shannon --

Well of course I'm biased but I actually like them *more* on you than on me! They really show off your ankle/calf.

Everyone else has said what I'd say, so I'll just tough-love you and say you HAVE to try them with whatever dark hose/tight you'd typically wear -- it changes the whole enchilada and I think you'll appreciate the patent more.

Granted I don't do edgy, but I do think these have a bit more noir than a plain black leather pair. So I guess you have to assess if you're going for femme fatale or a more rugged assertiveness.

Good luck!

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ManidipaM

Veteran

Wait! You just happened to have the perfectly coordinated dress on when they arrived? I think that's serendipity trying to tell you something.

I will confess my very first reaction to the close shots was 'elves, maybe North Pole'---but this is not necessarily cartoon cutesy but my own wariness of pointy toes talking, and seeing how good they look on Vix with toning tights, I am sold. The V looks funky to me too.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oh you all are a convincing lot - lol!

Vix - thank you sooooo much for the visual aid. They look amazing with the textured tights, just as Rae has suggested.

Will definitely play in my closet in the next day or so and take a few more pics - nothing like dressing in fall garb in the sweltering heat!

Thanks everyone

Vix

Veteran

Mani --

We had the "elf shoes" discussion on my review thread, so you're not alone! I still feel that way about them but they're so comfortable (and I generally buy comfort brands) that I don't care, ha.

Shannon --

Glad they helped. I almost passed out during the brief time it took to try these looks for "photo time" so I feel ya.

I generally feel things are "wrong" when I try them out of season. The light's wrong, the air's wrong, the smells are wrong. My next attempts were done early morning/evening and enabled me to better evaluate the shoes without environmental hangups.

ps I loved them with pants/jeans -- oh elongating [elf] toes, how I've missed you -- but then I wear mostly bootcut/straight.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Vix - you know I think you've really hit upon something. It just felt so weird trying on fall/winter booties in the ridiculous heat. It felt confusing, you know? And I do think that can skew a person's reaction to an item. Plus I was quite tired yesterday and had some work frustrations I was dealing with so again, mood can affect how you feel about something.

Will definitely be trying them with some more options and with tights as they were incredibly comfortable and pretty boots. Thank you so much again for your insight

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My thumbs are up too.

Sylvie

Veteran

May I say how much I like your dress? And your booties? I vote keep.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Those are so BEAUTIFUL!! I personally love the v - I think it's gives them a little more interest and I agree with Vix that the patent leather adds a little edge. I've avoided patent leather up to this point which I might have to now rethink.

anchie

Veteran

Oh, I am really sorry to be a spammer but I have poison eye for Ara shoes. They are here considered comfort footwear worn by frumpy old ladies. But I have to admit the comfort factor is the best. When I had broken my foot 3 year ago, ara was the only brand I could wear for almost a year. But I could not wait to get rid of them once my foot healed.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I have the Tricia in grey suede so I know the comfort is amazing. The vee front seems a bit more pronounced in these and lends the elfishness to them. I think with low contrast hosiery and pants they are amazing. I am not so sold on them with nude legs.