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Yay/Nay: Flat(ish) Boots

rae

(website)

Veteran

The flat white Frye's went back, so here I am trying another sort-of-flat boot. I'm on a mission to see if I can actually find flat ones that feel good on my feet.

I tried on these boots today - Timberland in burgundy. They are comfy and have a nice, narrow footbed that feels good on my arches. The calf is also adjustable and fits snugly with room to adjust smaller if they stretch. They are really pretty and I can get them for super cheap - they would replace my current burgundy boots which have a 5" heel and can't go anywhere but work.

But do they look silly with my small ankles? Do I need to accept that I should only wear lace-ups? And do my feet look like giant clown feet from the front? I don't know if my eye just needs to adjust after the foot-shrinking effect of heels or what.

ETA: Not trying to make these work with office outfits; this is just what I happened to be wearing.

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Shopping

31 replies
Latest reply was from Aida

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

hmm, while I like the color of boots I am on the fence on the style. It seems rather "clunky" to me? But then again, I like sleeker styles. I think if you want flat boot and would like to wear it to work and play, this is not the one as I don't see it looking good with more tailored things. I think this one is better with jeans, I don't think I would wear it with skirts

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Love the colour, love the fit around the calf, nice foot shape (no...they do not look like giant clown feet), like the buckle detail....but....there's something slightly "western" looking about them and I'm not sure that's what you're going for? As for the fit around the ankle, I'm not sure. Let's see what others have to say.

Echo

Veteran

Personally, I LOVE these boots. They don't strike me as Western in any way (and I tend to be sensitive about that as I am not fond of Western styles typically). As for "clunky", anytime you move more towards an edgy look and away from standard equestrian style the boots may be seen by some as more rugged. They have a rounded toe, which I LOVE (pointed toes lean Western to me), and the slightly different tone on the shaft and foot/upper band works fabulously. The colour is gorgeous and will coordinate with many wardrobe items. They look like keepers to me.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Hmmm- I like the side view, but from the front they seem to lose the nice line due to the change in material and grip around the ankles.

sarah

Veteran

I like them - they remind me a bit of my frye veronicas, which are meant to slouch a bit around the ankle. If that's the vibe you're after, I don't think that they look ridiculous at all.

Jonesy

Veteran

I think these look really fab! The fit is excellent (that adjustable tab thingie is genius), the color is great, and they look cool. I don't see any issues with your ankles.

Deborah

(website)

Veteran

I like them Rae. They are rugged but are kind of refined also. It's hard for me to articulate, but I think the shoe part of the boot looks like a work boot, then the shaft (?) of the boot with the leather and suede(?) looks more streamlined... I really like what I see as the contradictions of this boot.

clearlyclaire

Veteran

I like them a lot. Are they supposed to slouch where they're slouching? What will you wear these with? I missed your earlier thread on flat boots. Are they for shorts or for over jeans?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea of the boots and the burgundy color and suede, but I just can't help feeling like they look too big on you, especially from the front (#1). You can tell how lovely and slender your ankles are, but then the shaft just balloons out like a drumstick and the feet also seem bigger than they should be. It doesn't look as bad from the side but the front really shows it. I certainly can sympathize with the difficulty since I also have slender calves and ankles so most boots are too wide for me. But I think you may have to stick to narrow shaft and/or lace-up boots.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks to everyone who shared an opinion so far!

Natalie, I had a feeling that the small-ankled might be more sensitive to this issue than others. I'm curious to see if more people see what we see. I also wonder if maybe I wasn't slouching them as much as I should have. I found some pics online and they look a bit more slouchy all the way around.

I could also give up on the flats idea because of my big feet and get the #4 wedge in a narrow footbed... I had bought and returned those in tan medium width in the winter. But these are definitely more wintry and return shipping is not free.

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goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

You know, maybe you're right and I'm being too sensitive since I too have small calves and ankles. Boot shopping is such a pain for me because things that look great online or on other people look like galoshes when I actually try them on. Pics 5-7 actually do look OK to me so maybe you should try slouching the boots more. These boots look much more like casual jeans boots...the ones in #4 look like they are dressy enough for work. What vibe are you going for? When you tried it on, how did the tan boot look? Would you be comfortable walking in a wedge heel as opposed to flat?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I was going for something more casual and less sexy since all of my current tall boots have high heels. I guess I should stick to that, or I'll end up still wanting a de-bombshelled boot.

I know what you mean about boot shopping - I always thought I had huge calves, but they are just huge compared to my ankles... 5" difference!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like them and have no idea what you mean about small ankles and or big feet. Everything looks proportionate to me. I think we exaggerate things in our minds. My feet are small and wide and I'm always thinking my feet look like stumps, wishing I had bigger (or at least longer) feet.

My only hesitation with these boots is the waffle treads make them more casual. Everything else looks like nice, refined leather and suede to me. If you think the treads won't get in the way of your work look, then get them. Or, continue to hunt for a flat-ish pair with smoother soles. You will find them!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Denise, feet are strange and so hard to fit most people probably think their own feet look strange...

I was looking for casual, and not for work, so that's fine.

Anyone else see drumstick calves on boat feet? Or is it just me and Natalie from Team Skinny Ankle?

KL

Veteran

FWIW, I also have skinny ankles and they look fine to me, but I'm OK with the slouchy look. #4 looks better to me than #1. What kind of perspective will the average person walking by see your boots from?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER

You have no idea how great you look in knee-high flat boots, Rae!! And to think you were somewhat allergic to the look! Although I know your prefer a heel for your high arches

Will these work with your arches?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yay! I ordered them! Thank you, Angie, for dispelling the doubt.

FWIW, I am not allergic to the look and used to wear it until I realized what was making my arches hurt. I used to wear Born, which run wider. These Timberlands definitely run narrow and support my feet in the footbed as well as the narrow curve of the foot, so I'm very optimistic... for $60 I'll give it a try and maybe I can have more flat boots in the future.

I still *love* my heels, but there is no denying that a heel feels more dressy, femme, and sexy, which is not always what I want.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Glad you're keeping! Just saw this and LOVE these on you! No ankle/calf/foot issues in terms of proportions, none that I can see from the photos.

Natalie, I promise you too, very likely the disproportion you see is more noticeable to you than to anyone else. I recall my first body type post where I droned on and on about this feature and that I was sensitive or dissatisfied about, and one of those was my short, stubby legs ... and here's Angie telling me I have a *long* leg line! Sometimes we don't see ourselves as others do at all. Try those boots again and show us!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

As long as your arches are happy - I am happy.

Diana

Veteran

I think these look good, Rae! Yes there is a little looseness in the ankle but I think that's part of this style. I think on me the loose ankle tends to be more pronounced, actually, because my calves are wider than yours so there is a bigger difference which sometimes causes puckering/folding at the ankle. I don't see a ton of puckering happening here, so I think you're good.

If you're finding the flat shoes hard on your arches, you could try a 3/4 length arch support in them, which is what I use. You have to get the rigid, expensive kind though (Powerstep or Superfeet are good; things like Dr. Scholl's won't work). I have flat feet so I need the extra arch support anyway, but they also effectively create about a 1/2 inch lift at the heel. Only thing is they might make the shoe too tight - not a problem for me as I have really shallow insteps and heels, but if you have deep arches/instep it might be a problem.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

If you don't have any flat boots you need a pair--it is so helpful to have flat boots when you have to walk a lot. I can't wear my heeled boots for a heavy walking day and much prefer my flat Fryes. Manidipa, I think you're right, sometimes we're overly sensitive about our own perceived bodily hangups and it doesn't bother anyone else. So Rae, I retract my drumstick comment! Can't wait to see more pics of the new boots!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the tip, Diana! The extra lift would probably make them more comfortable for me as well. I've also seen some wedge inserts somewhere, but an actual arch support is probably better. I have a very low instep, so that is likely not an issue.

Natalie, amazingly, I've not been able to walk super long distances in flats. I wore flats on a trip to NYC and was dying dying dying in them. But I wore the 3" Report booties to Italy and had no real muscle or arch strain at all.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I'm glad you ordered them! They are very cute shoes and the subsequent pics you posted of them being modeled by others shows that they are supposed to be slouchy!

alaskagirl

Veteran

I am sensitive to the small-ankle issue, and I think these are about as good as it gets with flat riding style boots! I really like them and see them working well for you in the fall and winter palettes. They are a little bit of a color deviation but will mesh well with your new-found preppy leanings, doncha think?

rae

(website)

Veteran

Una, I am hoping that is the case! I think the slouch helps a lot... I'm also going a half size down from the ones I tried on, so that may help a bit, too. Timberland may be my new go-to brand. My steampunk boots feel every bit as gorgeous as my Fryes, and as I find out more it seems like many of the styles work for a skinny calf.

I am eyeballing these for possible future purchase with Ebay sales money.

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MNsara

Veteran

Rae - Sorry if you've already eliminated the Veronica Slouch, but I saw these in 'tan"; (maybe not as light as you like) and thought of you (I think you wear 8.5 but maybe you've sized down in your Fryes?):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer.....ition=used

I have a pair in another color and they have a good height, 14", and an adjustable buckle at the top opening, so you can virtually eliminate any gap at top. I don't have a narrow ankle problem, but they have looked good on lots and lots of folk. Just in case. . .!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, MNsara! I have to size down a whole size in Frye (7.5), but it was so nice of you to think of me. I really like the look of the Veronicas, but I have yet to try them because they are so expensive.

MNsara

Veteran

That's why I thought these at $198 were a pretty good deal. Oh well, too bad about the size

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, I've been having to size down in boots a lot lately. I think because more brands are providing extra room for thick socks "built in" to the regular size.

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