Being Lured by SW - YouLookFab Forum

Still on the bootie hunt.
I am heading out this morning to check a couple of local stores that might have good markdowns, just to see if anything can compete with the blue Cole-Haans I found yesterday (pic below). BUT..... this morning I also came across an ad for the SW Manlow booties that Angie featured in her bootie list not long ago. They are SO gorgeous, and they are also on sale ($260 at Nordstrom). I'm wondering if these could fit the bill on wet (but not super muddy) days? They do have a good rubber sole and would be quite versatile, although they are not waterproof. But that sole would clearly place them way ahead of the booties that I have that must stay at home for the next couple of months. (I always have my Hunter galoshes and my snowboots for the monstrous days.)
http://tinyurl.com/k5fzmm6

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12 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Viva - Well you've got me on this one. I think the SW booties are TDF gorgeous and they can swing dressy or casual - more so than the CH. I do not trust waterproof suede. I'm sure it's waterproof but what do you do about the salt? I also prefer a heel to a wedge so that is just me. You can do a waterproofing spray on the SW's and they will take mild winter but they are spendy and you're going to want to baby them. I adore them so I want to say buy, but my practical nature asks is this really what you need vs what you want? Only you can know. I was surprised that Una takes her good leather boots out in all weather so maybe I am just being prissy with mine. For the $83 would you consider one pair of CH and the SW's? Good luck!! You know I'll be watching Viva and cheering you on!!

kkards

hmmmm, these are so different its hard for me to compare. which color is more versatile for you? do you find the wedge comfortable? can you order the SW and hold the cole haans to compare them side by side?

Janet

(website)

They are hard to compare. I like the CHs a lot, especially in the blue (and am eyeing them because the navy blue booties I tried didn't work out). But the SWs seem very different to me -- I can definitely envision adding both to a wardrobe.

I am not very precious about protecting my leather boots from the elements. I'm a more cautious about suede unless it's Aquitalia.

April

All I can say is that when faced with the Manlows, I caved. They seemed so perfect for my needs that I figured the least I could do was try them on...

How fussy are your feet? If they're extremely fussy and both of these booties work for you, I think you're justified in having both. It's just too hard to find great shoes for fussy feet.

Nicole D

Can't go wrong with SW for quality in my experience, but I am concerned about the metal detail on the heel in wet weather. Love the CH and the colour is lovely. They are pretty different booties, I think they could both find a place in your closet! Enabler!

viva

April: what is your experience with the Manlows? What was the sizing like? Some say they run big. And how have they been to take on and off -- some reviews say they are difficult.
Nothing else turned up at any other stores ... so still considering SW vs CH, or SW AND CH. Hard to get both only because that's a lot to spend out of my budget on winter-only items when I didn't want to buy any more winter things. But I will need to buy at least one of these pairs.

Suz

Both are great boots, but I don't see them as interchangeable.

I love Stuart shoes -- fantastic quality and for me a good fit.....but still I am hesitating about these for actual winter wear. Partly for the reason Nicole mentioned -- the metal stuff could rust out. Also, I think you could get a similar boot from Aquatalia or La Canadienne (and probably also on sale at this time of year) that DOES have waterproof leather, making them more versatile.

My experience with the Manlows is so far limited to hitting the "refresh" button on the tracking number to see if they've left UPS yet.

But I'll post about them when they arrive. I also read those reviews that said they ran big, but people who love SW seem to have have lower-volume, narrower feet (I don't) so I ordered my regular size and am hoping for the best.

Debra

Lovely boots, gorgeous colour

Oh, Suz ... you are so, so right. I am rethinking the situation...

The Cole-Haans in blue, while fun, don't really suit my main need, which is for weatherproof boots that I can dress up enough for work situations / travel. (I have several casual options even if I am sick of them: age-old Uggs, Timberlands, and snow boots). I really need black for the most flexibility for work / dress-up, with even just a slight heel.

The SWs, while black, are not weatherproof.

I am inclined to stick with the bootie search vs knee-height, because I have been wearing booties for the past several months and put on a skirt or dress maybe twice in that entire period, wearing booties both times. And my knee-high boots are sitting dormant in my closet.

So, I am now focused on finding the right La Canadienne or Aquitalia booties on sale. May post for more feedback later today.

Karie

I like both boots! The blue is very unique and therefore my fav. I always use a good suede / leather protector, this is what I use:
http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Boo.....8;qid=1390

They're gorgeous, but I've learned the hard way that unless the suede comes waterproofed, it's unlikely to last in real winter conditions.

I got my mom a pair of suede La Canadiennes for Christmas (on deep discount, and my sister and I went in together), and she *loves* them. Apparently they're super comfortable (they have a wedge heel like the others you've been looking at), and they're just a beautiful quality. We don't get snow here, but she has worn them in the rain without any problems.

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