Anybody ever have a pair of boots “hemmed”?

CarolS

Taunted by the lack of variety of footwear in my wardrobe I’ve decided to try on anything I see that I think might have potential. Today it was these beige French Connection OTK boots.

I find this brand fits large and sizing up to a 9 from my usual 8 seems to give reasonable width despite the somewhat pointed toe.

I don’t really want an OTK boot. It’s not terribly comfortable. But I wouldn’t mind a beige boot. And I wouldn’t mind something with a slightly pointy toe.

The top of these is faux leather and the zip is contained to the lower part of the boot.

What do you think? Could the boot be shortened to below the knee? If you were going to do this would you go to a tailor or a shoe maker?

TIA for sharing your thoughts and experiences!

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2 years ago

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from CarolS

Indigoprint

Veteran

Cool boots
I think it could be done.
Faux leather does not fray and is relatively easy to work with once you get past one cannot " re-do" a seam, as once stitched the holes remain.
Another consideration is how you want the top finished.
I think it looks pretty good with that cuff...would you consider that?
I am not sure who would be most comfortable doing it. If a tailor is familiar with working with leather/faux leather would have the skills..
Might be more who you have access to.
Worth looking into.

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks for validating the workability of this concept, Indigoprint -- I think I would go for a simple hem like the picture below so I could easily fit the boot under skirts or even wide-leg pants.

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2 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I have had knee high boots with the addition of a gusset to cater for my calves which are muscular. A cobbler did this for me. The boots were new but it was hard to find ones that fit my ankles which are small and my upper calves which are large.

Different note - but I have dropped one dress and have another to go to a tailor for nips and tucks.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Having a specific person who can actually do that job matters more than knowing that, theoretically, x type of craftsperson should be able to do it. I’d take them (or a photo if they can’t leave the store) to tailors and cobblers to ask if they could do it.

2 years ago

Irina

Veteran

CarolS, in the past I had a pair of boots altered - taking in at the seams to narrow the fit. It was done by my cobbler. Can you ask around the shoe repair shops?

2 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely worth bringing them to a cobbler and asking!

2 years ago

LJP

Veteran

My only worry is that they’d be baggy and not fitted at the top . But maybe you don’t mind that ? Stay out of Winner’s , lol!

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Sal, Stag, Irina, Jaime and Lisa.

I was wondering about the fit at the top, too, LIsa, but they seem reasonably fitted in the calf so I think they'd be ok...

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

And yeah, Lisa -- waaaay too much Winners....

2 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think it could be done - not cheap! - but the results are high risk. I vote pass. Find something else!

2 years ago

Anonymous

Nice boots! It's worth a check on the cost, but agreeing with Angie it's a risky alteration.

2 years ago

pirouette

Active Member

I agree with Angie I had a pair of black leather boots taken in to make them narrower and they were awful as the seam wasn’t straight. It was an expensive mistake and I had to donate the boots.

2 years ago

April

Veteran

Shoemaker for sure. Expensive for sure.

Since it's such a good boot season this year, I'd keep looking.

2 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

My gut reaction is that you should pass. They aren't quite what you're looking for, and even if you drop the cash to have them altered in some way, there's no guarantee that it will work out. But, they have helped you identify what you would like: a tall but not OTK boot in a light neutral. Say thank you to them and leave them on the rack!

2 years ago

Lesley

Veteran

I was going to chime in to say pass, as well! If it were a pair of boots that you had already in your closet that you were on the verge of getting rid of, that's one thing. But to buy a new thing and then pay for this work with no guarantee that you will like the results, that's too dear a chance to take.

2 years ago

Star

Veteran

Totally agree with Lesley. Pass.

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.

It is so freaking hard to find something that comes remotely close to the style I want and also works reasonably well for my feet, and at a low risk cost, so these got me pretty excited that I could maybe expand my wardrobe toolbox with a slender shafted, semi pointy toe to wear under wide pants and with midi skirts or dresses.

The front of the shaft is soft pleather -- very similar to pleather pants. The back of the shaft is a heavy polyester/lycra fabric that I thought looked pretty easy to hem - literally like a pair of pants. Since the shaft is tight enough to hold the boot up in its current OTK status, I was hopeful it would easily do the same when hemmed.

I haven't seen many other options out there that would even make sense for me to try, so I guess I have some thinking to do...

There is a guy at a local shoe place who apparently makes some pretty amazing transformations, but i am not sure of the cost. I might still explore to satisfy my curiosity....

2 years ago

Lesley

Veteran

Solidarity! I find that perfect boots are total HEWIs. I have looked for years for a pair that checked all my boxes. (Actually, I've been doing that for several years now for chic shearling-lined boots!) Hang in there!

2 years ago

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Is there any way you could show photos of the boots (both on & off your leg) to the shoe guy first, to get his opinion on whether it's doable *before* you buy the boots?

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, Lesley! Always good to know others share similar struggles!

Zaeobi, the boots can be returned. So I can take them in person. Hopefully on the weekend to at least satisfy my curiosity.

2 years ago

Star

Veteran

Carol Just a thought. I have never owned OTK boots and never really had a desire to but I have heard they are incredibly warm under dresses and skirts in the cold weather. Maybe you can try and see if they work as is?

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

Thanks, star. I briefly considered that but it’s a hard no. I want to be able to wear them under wide legged pants or cropped wide legs and the big flap at the top is a no go. Tried it under a favourite knit midi tube type skirt — also no go. Thanks for the thought!

2 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I have similar over the knee boots but my eye has not adjusted to that look, I just tuck the tops inside as they are bit too wide for my thighs anyway, so look better. Like yours, the zipper ends further down, so that they look easy to fix, so I will be watching this thread with interest.

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

Joy, I actually tried tucking the flap in and it almost works. It just creates a visible bulge at the calf that wouldn’t be so great with a skirt.

I am almost tempted to cut them off high and just tuck the top under.

2 years ago

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Oh I didn't realise you'd already bought them, my bad!

I guess you can try the cobbler first & then, if all else fails, your own DIY (if you don't feel like returning them by then). Lol.

2 years ago

CarolS

Veteran

No worries, Zaeobi. I brought them home so I could at least debate my options!

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Can that flap be unfolded, to go otk?

1 year ago

CarolS

Veteran

stag, they are an OTK boot but I don’t want them to be!

1 year ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I'm guessing that it could be done but would nearly as expensive - if not more - than a new pair. There would have to be some sort of facing created; either by chopping off the length from the middle and sewing the top part back on (making a seam in the middle of the length) or by finding matching material. And the amount of length left to make the top look nice may not be enough. I'd also want to avoid messing with the zip, so you might be limited by that as well.

I vote pass and keep searching.

1 year ago

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