Q&A about individual items, ensembles, and wardrobe

Need help styling new boots!

(Laura65, feel free to smack me upside the head, but I ended up going boot shopping today. I think *think* I may have found the ones I need!)

Ended up finding two pairs of boots today while out with a friend:
1. a slim, heeled Franco Sarto riding boot in rich caramel-ish brown, which will be perfect for my dressier needs and all my dresses and skirts.
2. Frye Paige buckle flat boots in dark brown, which are the ones I am still unsure of. I explain why in the blog, but essentially I need to know if they work, and how I should wear them if I do keep them. Are they for jeans only? Are they too wide?

OH! I also picked up a stunning ponte dress from AT in dark plume (a smoky dark blue) that I am madly in love with. Sarah, my body-type twin, you need to check it out! (Pics and links in the blog post.)

http://lowfatdressing.blogspot.....etter.html

Thanks for your help! I know I can count on your gals to set me straight. You always do! :)

The latest reply was from medusa . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.


19 Replies

Posted 2 months ago

Oh wow, that dress is beautiful! I actually wasn't too impressed when I saw it on the AT site, but it looks fab on you. Woohoo!

I love the Franco Sarto boots, and I think the Fryes look great with jeans, but I'm not sure whether they go with dresses or not. I'll have to watch this to see what the boot experts say!

Posted 2 months ago

The FS boots are perfection on you, as you seem to already know.

I'm not so sure about the Frye boots. If you can get a whole hand in there, and they aren't slouch boots, I'm inclined to believe they are too big. They do look a bit big on you. Can you adjust the buckles at all? I also think you might want to get some very tapered jeans, just for boots. You don't look at all like an ice cream cone. If you're not comfortable, a longer top might help make you feel more balanced.

Posted 2 months ago

Ooh, pretty dress! I may have to check it out. I'm worried with the high neckline and my larger bust size, but I'll give it a whirl. I think I'd be happier with this than with the grey I currently have.

Posted 2 months ago

Hi Kristen, I bought the Frye Paige Buckle boots at Nas last year and I returned them. They are too wide and straight. Does your friend wear hers with success?

I LOVE that blue dress and your FS boots!!! You are made for dresses. It looks like you are the fit model for them.

Posted 2 months ago

KILLER frock. Good grief, Kristen. I can't even look at the boots because I have to get over the excitement of the dress first!

Posted 2 months ago

LOVE the dress on you...of course this is a favorite of mine. I have sold several:) This exposed zipper is also a fun detail and looks great on some of our skirts too!!
I have a similar version:)

You Look GREAT Kristen, just had to comment on how well you wear AT!!!

Posted 2 months ago

Hey, what are you doing going boot shopping without MOI?! :)

Are the Franco Sartos leather? Are they stiff? Curious ... The zipper detail on the back is fab, and the heel height is perfection! They gape a bit at the top but not much, right?

The Fryes look like they gape too much without skinnies tucked in. You do look good in flat boots, though -- I like seeing a new look on heel-wearing you!

Posted 2 months ago

Wow, you look amazing. Love the zipper detailing on the dress and boots. Your bod is killer. :)

Posted 2 months ago

Terrific dress!! You are looking so great these days in dresses. FS boots are perfection.
I love the Fryes- not so much with that particular dress but maybe with another type.
I see no resemblance to an ice cream cone!

Posted 2 months ago

Kirsten!
Your body looks fabulous in dresses!

The boots are gorgeous, try it with skinnies and a nice jacket.

Posted 2 months ago

The first brown boots look perfect.
The second black ones look good with jeans think you just need to pull the trouser legs down to avoid so much scrunching at the top i get the same problem. I think they are too big round the calf to wear with dresses x

Posted 2 months ago

Sarah, I'm busty too (34DD) but you can't tell in that dress; the drape of the collar changes it from a simple high-neck dress.

I am crazy in love with the dress, so I'm glad to see it wasn't just me. :) Taylor, I actually am not super-crazy about the romantic, over-ruffled look at AT this season, but their dresses are perfection. I haunt the store every time a new one comes out.

Laura, the FS boots are not as much stiff as they are structured. The back zipper and the stiff piping along the edge make them stand up very firmly. I like the look a lot.

I am still on the fence about the Fryes; you've all given some great advice but I am not convinced yet they are worth keeping. Angie, have you had a chance to recover from the dress? I would love your opinion on the Fryes! :)

And Laura, if Angie says they're a no-go (as my Shopping Friend has also recommended on the blog) then I still will need to keep looking for a casual jean-boot so we will still be on for boot-shopping! LOL!

Posted 2 months ago

Kristen, the dress and the FS boots are perfection on you!! I adore that inky blue. I have no idea about the Frye boots - I saw them at DSW last week too and did not like the shape - they are so wide at the ankle!!?? But I have no clue about slouchy and/or casual boots so I'm not sure if this is how they are supposed to look...

Posted 2 months ago

Kristen, you look AMAZING. You need to KEEP that dress! :) I have to agree that the Frye boots look loose - not slouchy, but like they are too wide. I think that after such great finds with your dresses (the NAS sheath, and your new AT dress) you need boots that will be just as fabulous. I think you can find something better, boots you won't have to go back-and-forth about keeping. :)

Posted 2 months ago

Bumping for Angie's feedback on the Frye's. I'm thinking they should go back; your thoughts, Angie? Thank you!

Posted 1 month ago

Another vote that the dress and FS boots are fantastic! The Frye boots look too big to me too.

Posted 1 month ago

I'm inclined to agree with the others verdict, the dress is fantastic on you as are the first pair of boots, the last pair of boots I fear are too wide, it is my rule of thumb that if my boots are wide enough to collect the rain they are a no go!

Posted 1 month ago

ITA with everyone else, it seems. The first set of boots looks terrific (and you look amazing in that dress!), the second pair of boots is a bit wide -- maybe OK with jeans, though I personally don't like the slouchy-ankle look on myself (I already have plenty enough width without my boots adding to the problem!).

And I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I found Fryes to be that comfortable in the first place. The sole feels kind of hard -- is it supposed to be that way? That's one reason I didn't go for the Fryes during my recent boot-shopping spree.

Posted 1 month ago

Kristen, gorgeous dress! And I LOVE the FS boots. Do you happen to know what the calf circumference is on them? I'm interested.

I think the Frye boots are too wide at the top.

Posted 1 month ago