These boots - keep or donate? - YouLookFab Forum

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These boots - keep or donate?

Tanya

Veteran

I have started a big closet clean out last night, which would probably take for ever, considering that I will only have an hour or so every day to devote to it. You can expect many ''keep or not" posts from me in the near future. Please be very strict ( only things with CRS of 9 or higher should be allowed to stay)!

I am starting with the footwear, and first are these camel stretchy suede Franco Sarto boots.

http://s300.photobucket.com/al.....CN3816.jpg
http://s300.photobucket.com/al.....CN3819.jpg

I have had them for about 5 years, but worn them very rarely, last 2 years probably not at all. Are they dated, particularly the toe-box ?

Although they are stretchy, they are still a bit too big for my chicken calves, and slouch a bit as I walk. So, if we decide that they are keepers for skirts ( they match my hair) I would probably take them to the cobbler to make their shaft just a bit narrower, clean out some scuff marks and waterproof them.
But obviously this will only be worth it if you guys think that the boots are great.

Thank you very much!

Dressing

23 replies

Latest reply was from Tanya

Laura

(website)

Veteran

You might want to keep these. The fit looks good, although the toe looks dark - are they worn at the toe? If they are not, I would keep them. I am thinking ahead to NM for you, and these are a good color - not too dark. Do you have another pair of camel-colored boots that makes this pair a duplicate? If not, I definitely vote "keep."

BLB

(website)

I don't love them, personally. I'm not a fan of the black heel, and they look a little thin or flimsy to me somehow. I do love the camel suede colour. I'm interested to hear what others think.

dee2do

They don't look dated, yet, to me.
i would hold on to them and revisit next year.

Anonymous

At first I thought the heel was a deal breaker but with Laura's idea of looking forward to NM the boots might be just right. I say wait and see if you like them when you move.
They have a '60's go-go vibe to me.
Speaking of craving certain color saturation in different locations, here in WA state I crave deep reds. In Phoenix, my relatives have the palest of pastels. Laura is very wise to alert you to this difference in color perception down in the Phoenix and NM area. I think it will be a culture shock to you. My Dad and Step Mother, who live at the gateway to Death Valley, have everything in the color of sand. It just blends in.

Patience

Veteran

I think they're worth keeping to wear and I don't think you need the calf taken in. But if you don't wear them then they need to go.

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I like them, particularly the color. I am not sure about the dated thing, that changes so often. The look sort of classic to me. I vote keep mainly due to great color!

Maya

Veteran

I honestly do not think they're all that fantastic, especially when I think of the rest of your shoe wardrobe. The contrasting heel looks odd to me and I question how often you're going to be wearing boots in NM in the first place. I don't know how cold it gets there but I suspect it will be significantly warmer than Boston.

They actually look like they fit well in the calves, but if not, they don't seem worth getting altered, cleaned, and waterproofed. The fact that you haven't even worn them in 2 years seals the deal for me.

Donna

They might turn out to be very useful in autumn in NM. I live in Houston and that time of year is difficult for me because it doesn't get really cold until much later in the year, but I want to stop dressing for summer. This past fall I wore a lot of skirts, bare legs and boots and felt like I was dressing for the season but still could feel comfortable temperature wise. How you feel about the fit is the deciding factor, but I don't think they look too loose in the calf.

Emily

I like them and don't think they look dated, but I think the fact that you haven't worn them in two years says that YOU don't love them, so I vote donate them.

Nicole

Veteran

I don't think the boots are dated--and I do like them. I am a sucker for suede. (Though, I don't own any suede boots because of the whole water/snow/salt issue).

But since you have not worn these boots for 2 years, then that alone is reason to pass them on. Unless the only reason why you have not worn them in 2 years is because of the suede in New England thing--then Laura has a great point about these being good for NM lifestyle. But if you have not worn them all this time for any other reason, then I say give them a good home. (Dress for Success comes to mind...)

tarzy

Veteran

Wow - I really like them. I think they're very chic, very "Faye Dunaway" when she was young and sexy and gorgeous! With your hair, they're a great color. I think they look amazing on you, with your long legs! Not everyone can do a nude color shoe, but you really can.

I agree that they would be fantastic in a warmer climate. In LA you could get a lot of wear out of them. What part of NM are you moving to? (I was in Santa Fe one January and it was freezing, with snow on the ground!) When you were just there for the holidays did you get a sense the boots might be something you could wear? I think Laura has an excellent point - maybe keep them until you move and see how it feels.

However - if you do not like them, for whatever reason, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I'm sorry - I know that's not much help!

marianne

I think the boots don't need alteration and I really like the color. The shape seems pretty standard, so I don't think it's blatantly dated, but I am never on top of those things. I second (or third) Laura's point about the climate change. However, if you do not love these, you might be better off getting a new pair after you move.

shana

Veteran

Tanya, I would hold on to these until you are in NM and then decide. I too lived in the West for awhile and I totally agree with Laura - the color palette is completely different. They seem to fit your calves well too - do they droop when you walk?

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you all very much for your input! I will hold off my final decision till I hear from Angie too, but am strongly leaning towards getting rid of them.

I love the color and the suede, and they would be perfect for skirts in NM. However I seriously dislike the toe shape. I actually really hate squared toes on me, I have only one pair of squared toed flats that I actually like. All the things I would need the cobbler to do to them would probably cost half what new boots would. I would need the calf taken in, since they do droop when I walk so i constantly have to pull them up.

Maya

Veteran

If it wasn't for the calf problem I would say hold on to them and see what you think when you get there (to NM), but right now they just seem like more trouble than they're worth. Calf alterations are expensive and if you don't even really like them in the first place, it doesn't seem like it's worth it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YAY! This is a brilliant idea Tanya! We are here to help and support you through your mega closet clean-up.

Do these boots sag when you walk, in that you have to keep pulling them up?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I see that you already answered my quezzie. Sorry, I’m tired. I know how frustrating it is to have boots that sag. I vote toss.

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you very much for your kindness Angie!

Yes, unfortunately the boots do sag when I walk. I have to pull them up every ten minutes or so. I think that they are about half an inch too wide, not just in the calves but everywhere from ankles up, so they never get the chance to stretch on my leg, only to fall down

Tanya

Veteran

No problems Angie, I know how it is, I am tired myself.

Well, they will become the first item in my 'to-donate' bag, which I suspect will end up being quite large and full.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

If the boots have to score at least a 9 - then off to the donate pile they go. They score between a 7 and 8 on my CRS. I’m going to be ruthless, Tanya!

Tanya

Veteran

Oh, I strongly appreciate your ruthlessness Angie! I am really hoping to streamline my closet as much as possible!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You can count on our support, Tanya. Bring any big queries to NY if you think it's worth the schlep.

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you very much Angie, but I don't think I will be schlepping anything to NY, it's just not worth it ( although I might be schlepping some things back, especially if we "accidentally" end up in Uniqlo). Posting here should work just fine. Besides, I would much rather spend the time interacting with you guys, than trying out my old stuff.