boot woes! - YouLookFab Forum

I have a pair of brown fake leather boots that I bought for about US $32 while I was studying abroad in Poland. For the last two years they have been a regular part of my wardrobe (except when it's too hot for them, as they have some fleece lining), and are crucial to my skinny jeans tucked into boots uniform. They also look pretty great with skirts. For a while the rubber on the bottom has been slowly scraped away, and for the past year or so I've been getting little pebbles stuck in the bottom of one boot. But this was manageable.

I just got home and went to take my boots off and found that the zipper on one of the boots is not doing well. The pull tab is gone, and the metal part that has the pull tab attached is in danger of coming off. eek! Oh, and the sole seems to be separating from the "body" of the shoes a bit, and one of the inside heels has worn down past the insole.

here are pictures of the external damage and a couple of the boots (sorry some are kinda blurry):

http://s299.photobucket.com/al.....ket/boots/

So, what to do? Is it even worth going to a cobbler, considering that I'll probably need to get them resoled and new zippers and they aren't real leather? Should I suck it up and go find replacements?

I realize getting two years out of these really cheap boots is pretty amazing - my cost per wear is less than $0.10 per day. I'm just particularly traumatized because these boots were a big first step in my fashion journey, I actually love the details on them (whereas I used to hate any unnecessary detailing), they're so versatile, and I traveled part of Europe in them, survived my final Ohio winter in them, and moved to Tucson with them. Clearly I have some attachment issues.

I could survive a bit without them in Tucson while I search for replacements, but I'm going to Ohio for a week in the middle of March, and I don't know how to survive the snow and rain and icky Ohio weather without them anymore! My super ugly gear snow boots and blowfish canvas boots just don't compare!

What should I do?

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I would take them to the cobbler and see what they say. You obviously love these boots, so it's worth saving them if it's not cost prohibitative.

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

That's a tough one since you may have trouble finding a replacement (I know I would - boots in my size were pretty much gone a month ago) this time of year. I think I'd take them to a cobbler for an estimate and start looking around to see if you can find a good deal on a new pair and see which is going to be the most cost effective way to go.

Louise

They actually look too big around the calf. With this in mind I would look to replace them. You have had you money's worth from them so personally i'd let them go to the cobbler in the sky x

Dashrashi

Agree with Louise, sadly. And my cobbler does much better work with leather than with other shoe/boot materials. Maybe take it in for a diagnosis, and then see?

cciele

Are they wearable for that one week while you look for a replacement? Perhaps the cobbler can suggest something inexpensive to extend the wear a little bit.

Snickering at Louise's 'cobbler in the sky' comment.

I agree, I think it may be time to move on. I think you may be holding on to them more for the sentimentality than the usefulness.

Maya

I'm with Lousie. They do look too big. There are lots of fab boots out there, so let the hunt begin! Maybe you'll feel better if you wait to get a better replacement before tossing them.

Kate

Cciele, I think if I use some super glue to hold the precarious zipper together (how horribly unfab!) I should be able to pull it up and down well enough for the boots to make it through the trip to Ohio. Louise (and others), you probably are right about letting them go to the cobbler in the sky... Especially after all the crap I give my boyfriend about getting rid of his worn down shoes and clothes I should probably set a good example and take my own advice.

So, I guess it's time to start the search for some new boots. Does anyone have any suggestions?

shana

Kate, I agree with the others - I don't think it is worth it. Especially now that boot season is almost over, maybe you'll be able to score a deal on a great pair of boots!

elpgal

Loiuse, thanks for the laugh! My first one today and I needed it.

Kate, I think it is worth the effort to take them to a cobbler to patch them up. Good boots are hard to find, so make sure to start now for next season's shoes.

Category