https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 05 May 2026 01:43:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351988 Wed, 10 Sep 2014 13:49:23 +0000 Lisa 1351988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm looking forward to the reviews on these, I hope something works out for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351595 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:52:32 +0000 Suz 1351595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice! Can't wait to see you give them a try.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351568 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:19:51 +0000 Sveta 1351568@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ordered! :-)</p> <p>There is going to be a shoe fashion show in Seattle for sure!</p> <p></p> <p>Thank you for your help and wish me luck.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351255 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 16:54:13 +0000 Emily 1351255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like the Naturalizer Tipley - which I do not think is frumpy at all! &nbsp;They remind me of the zippered J.Crew loafers you were looking at....</p> <p>I like the Lucky Bartolino too - it doesn't look too hard edge to me at all,&nbsp;perhaps because of the round toe and fairly refined sole rather than lug sole. I wonder whether the zipper across the top would be uncomfortable, though?</p> <p>Can't wait to see what you get :D</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351179 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:42:33 +0000 shedev 1351179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that the Luckys may be more hard edge. They are in my wish list now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351138 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:56:18 +0000 Sveta 1351138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great boots Elizabeth - too bad the heel is to high for me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351103 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:03:18 +0000 Elizabeth P 1351103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Viva, I got some navy booties by France Mode last year, and they are super comfortable.&nbsp; They have changed the heel on them this year, it's a bit straighter and a titch higher, but it might be worth tracking down.&nbsp; The style is "Olwen".&nbsp; I got mine at a local store, so no idea of online availability.</p> <p>This is last years heel:<br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/230316968415117859/" rel="nofollow">http://www.pinterest.com/pin/230316968415117859/</a></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351072 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 13:18:00 +0000 viva 1351072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sveta, I should just let you and Suz sort this all out and then I will buy what you decide. haha! Like you, I am struggling with the casual vs dressy and edge vs refined when it comes to footwear. I'm not sure I have defined the continuums (continuuae?) exactly correctly, but I think you know what I mean. It's tricky. When you throw in the need for comfort PLUS the desire to avoid frump, it's enough to drive a person crazy.</p> <p>My favorites in the lot are the Sole Society Tipley (I really want blue booties, and the shaft height is pretty) and the Earthies Sintra (but may be too rugged). From Suz's, the Aquatalias are fab, but I'm sorry 6pm is so unfair to you Canadians. :(</p> <p>I'll look forward to your picture posts. Please keep us (me) updated! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1351063 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 12:57:27 +0000 Sveta 1351063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know Suz - right? Boo to 6PM and other sites like this! I also hit this with Theory site last year and with shoemall.com this weekend...Not fair indeed! :-(<br />Thanks for your thoughts, they make sence to my troubled mind.<br />I think it is not casualness as much as clunkiness which makes them not suitable for my style: I should be fine with casual refined boot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350806 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 03:06:14 +0000 Suz 1350806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gah, you are <b>KIDDING</b> about 6 pm. Can someone not help a girl out here? I mean, seriously -- Aquatalias! Quality, weatherproof, refined....inexpensive (relatively)....</p> <p>What is <b>with</b> 6 pm??? I did not know this about them.&nbsp;</p> <p>On the casual/ dressy divide, of course it is pretty subjective, but here are some&nbsp;elements that make an item read more casual to me. Some of these also equal less refinement, but it's a continuum, with even casual boots being capable of some refinement and even dressier boots sometimes looking more RATE.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wooden, cork, or woven soles<br />Wider (vs pointy) heel (the wider, the more casual, usually...)<br />Lug soles<br />Turned up toes<br />Rounded toes (possibly)&nbsp;<br />Pebbled finish or rougher texture<br />Substantial or heavy&nbsp;(vs more delicate) hardware</p> <p>To my mind, all the booties we are looking at fall somewhere in the mid-range between dressier and more casual.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;The dressiest to me are&nbsp;the Nine Wests Lisap pointed out.&nbsp;</p> <p>The most casual are the Earthies followed by the Luckys and the Naturalizer Braeburn.&nbsp;</p> <p>Does that make sense?&nbsp;</p> <p>This mid-range between casual and dressy is a pretty good one for me in practical terms. I need a boot that crosses over. If it is <b>too </b>casual, I will appreciate its usefulness in poor weather and for walking in mucky conditions....but I won't feel completely "myself" in it. It will seem a bit "clompy" to me. But if it is too refined and dressy I will rarely wear it. (Pointy toed pointy heeled bronze Donald Pliners, I am looking at you.) It will feel too "precious" (and probably less comfortable) and it won't take me the distance with all the walking I do. So these betwixt and between styles give me a lot of mileage (literally!!)&nbsp;</p> <p>I hope you find a good one. It is not fair to have such fit issues!!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350742 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 02:10:45 +0000 Sveta 1350742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aida, you NEED those gorgeous boots!<br />OMG Ummlila, they are beautiful! Pointier that my JCrew oxfords though so I don't know how they would work for my feet...but even with my size feet I am OK if they look long - they are long after all! I am kicking myself I did not get them when my size was available :-(</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350730 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:57:25 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1350730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I got the navy. (In action in the photo.) One thing I will point out: if you are self conscious about your feet being long (mine are 8.5 but I am short) they may not be for you because of the lack of detail all along the forefoot. I love them anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350726 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:53:38 +0000 Aida 1350726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sveta I think in your case using "soft edge" as a defining factor may be minimal; refined would play a bigger role for you in my opinion. You can wear hardware heavy black boots with an all soft outfit and still end up with an overall soft look :)</p> <p>(PS gah Suz, those gray Nine West booties are gorgeous!! <b>I do not </b>need more boots, I don't really need more boots, I <i>probably</i> don't need more boots.....) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350715 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:30:42 +0000 Anonymous 1350715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like #4, the Earth booties for you. ETA: I see that you ordered them to try. I hope that they or one of the others works out well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350707 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:19:48 +0000 Sveta 1350707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the verification, Ummlila. Did you get JCrew shoes in navy or red? Actually I am fine with this type of hardness because it is refined and streamlines and pretty subtle </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350700 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:11:07 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1350700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I liked the Tipley exactly because they are similar to the JCrew blue zipper shoes that I bought and love and will wear much after warm weather is done (probably next week)</p> <p>I don't consider them a soft look by any means, though. Between the zippers and the pointy toe and the fairly stiff leather I definitely place them on the hard edge. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350686 Tue, 09 Sep 2014 01:02:00 +0000 Sveta 1350686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What &nbsp;crazy day! I did not have a minute to spare at work today to reply to this post: this is what happen when you are leaving for almost 3 week vacation in 2 days!:-)<br />It is interesting that Naturalizer Tipley booties perceived like frumpy by Debs and having potential by deb They reminded me of JCrew booties which I was considering (see both side to side for comparison below).<br />Suz, casual to dressy...YES, this may be my dilemma even more than hard vs soft. Let's face it: I have a problem with casual. If comfort level is the same I would always reach for dressier shoe than for a casual one - especially for work. I also prefer booties I can wear with both skirts and pants. <br />On the other hand I am still struggling to have a clear difference between dressy and casual in my head.&nbsp;What makes Lucky Brand booties casual? Are they less casual than Earthies? What about SE Petties - are they casual or dressy or in between? &nbsp;Arghh, my head spins!<br />Suz, you are a sweetheart for scouting the web for me! Unfortunately we cannot buy anything from 6PM even for US address - they do not accept non-US credit cards even through PayPal As for Nine West - reviews say for both that they run very pointy and need to size up. I think I will pass this time...I already ordered 4 boxes of tall boots to the hotel and they will be waiting for me for 2 weeks there! :-)<br />I think I definitely ordering Tipley, Romy and Cypress but need to ponder on others...<br />Thank you so much for you help! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350064 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:46:13 +0000 Janet 1350064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am still getting a grip on the "soft edge" concept myself, but I haven't yet finished my first cup of coffee. </p> <p>That said, I agree 100% with everything Suz said. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350063 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:45:27 +0000 Suz 1350063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love that the Aquatalias are weather proof....the black ones also come in something called "smog."&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350060 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:36:42 +0000 Meredith 1350060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can you do suede, Sveta? The texture if Suz's finds definitely read as soft. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1350056 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:30:56 +0000 Suz 1350056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sveta, I think you should try them all. In your size, it is very difficult to find anything. And you won't know until you try -- no risk in that because it all goes back if it does not work!&nbsp;</p> <p>In terms of the soft or hard continuum, I'm not sure that any of these is hard-edged on the extreme -- I'd say not. But exposed hardware make the ones that have that&nbsp;slightly "harder"? (I think, LOL).&nbsp;</p> <p>I DO think we have a clear continuum here from dressier to more casual so you need to know how you plan to wear the boots. Are you more in the market for a casual one or a dressier version? If you want dressier, then I would say 1, 4, or 6 are the best options. You could always dye the&nbsp;<b>HEEL</b>&nbsp;on #1. I agree a stacked wooden heel reads as more casual, but tone it to the bootie and it is dressier.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also think maybe you should try the 9 Wests that Lisap linked to. I know the brand has not worked in the past and it's probable that they will not work now, but when you get an opportunity to try something good, go for it! I also found another possible Nine West style.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also -- what about these Aquatalias from 6 pm marked down like crazy in your size?&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.6pm.com/aquatalia-by-marvin-k-famous-black-suede">http://www.6pm.com/aquatalia-b.....lack-suede</a></p> <p></p> <p>ETA: I don't think #6 would be frumpy at all on you with toned hose. Probably not frumpy on you, period. It would be frumpy on me because of my leg shape/ calf length (or lack thereof).&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1349996 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 06:17:13 +0000 Deborah 1349996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am still getting my head around the concept of "soft edge" so I may be no help lol</p> <p>#1 looks like a pretty classic ankle boot. A really nice boot and I think it could work nicely for you.</p> <p>#2 I have a very similar boot and with the exposed zipper is possible more hard edge?&nbsp; I wear mine with leggings or skinny jeans tucked into them.&nbsp; And they are really a non work for me (and my work place is very casual)</p> <p>#3 I like this but are you looking for boots to wear with pants or pants and skirts?&nbsp; I am not sure it is refined enough for a skirt outfit for you.</p> <p>#4 is a no brainer.&nbsp; Classic black ankle boot. Quite refined, would look great on you.</p> <p>#5 I like this and could you rocking it as a casual / weekend bootie.&nbsp; I like the colour for you.</p> <p>#6 Forgive me, but it looks frumpy and you are not;)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1349949 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 04:17:38 +0000 deb 1349949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have collected the Naturalizer Tipley so I say try it. I really like it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-soft-edge-definition-help-with-shoe-shopping#post-1349939 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 04:04:51 +0000 Sveta 1349939@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/epiphany-new-style-describing-term">Angie's post on Soft Edge&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;came just at the time when <a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-should-be-my-bootie-refresher-for-a-new-season">I was pondering how to refresh my footwear capsule for this season</a>. The timing could not be better for me, right?<br />So I definitely skew for the Soft Edge. I do wear black but almost never&nbsp;all black outfits. I have quite a few moto jackets but none is black. In addition I am <b>Soft Dramatic</b> by the Kibbe so here we go!<br />So I went for bootie search again with "Soft Edge" in mind and this is what I came up with from Nordstrom. I consider them skewing Soft because they have minimal hardware and&nbsp;not too chunky. Some of them are black but first I need a pair of black booties (don't own any now). And second -&nbsp;I also have an option to dye the booties dark navy if this color is not ideal. I think ##2,3,4 and 6 can be cool in navy!</p> <p>I want to order some booties to the Seattle store so I can try them on while I am there and hopefully something will work for me. </p> <ol> <li>Sole Society - like the color and the heel maybe just manageable for me. A bit too casual maybe for my style?</li> <li>Lucky Brand - I kind of like the embossed leather back and zipper but maybe it skews to much towards Hard? Somehow it feels less casual to me than #1 - maybe because the heel is black?</li> <li>Naturalizer Braeburn - at first I thought it is not refined enough for me. However when Anna linked to it I suddenly realized that it is like a monk strap loafer but in a bootie shape so may be cool Need to try on!</li> <li>Earth - again the heel maybe just on the edge of being manageable. I like that it is quite refined.</li> <li>Earthies - I think the most casual of the lot. Not sure if it is too casual for myself?</li> <li>Naturalizer Tipley - I think this one is the most refined but is it frumpy? I kind of like it.</li> </ol> <br />I need to order this Tuesday at the latest as we are leaving on Wednesday midday. Those of you&nbsp;who know my style - which of these 6 pairs below are valid candidates?<br />Sorry for spamming the forum with my shoe posts lately - this is my biggest fashion woe!<br />Thanks in advance for your help! </p>