Boots too masculine? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Boots too masculine?

Echo

Veteran

This sounds strange coming from me because I am a huge fan of combat, lug soled or stompy boots. Indeed, I wear them all the time with no qualms whatsoever.

However, I am looking for a slightly more refined bootie, slightly Victorian without going too costumey, and comfortable enough to wear all day (10K+ steps). I am considering one of the two listed below. The two-color boots seem more "me", but for some reason, they strike me as slightly masculine? Like a men's dress shoe. Dh and DD think the plain ones are boring and say the two color are not at all masculine, but I can't shake it.

I know you guys will give it to me straight. Do the two color boots strike you like men's dress shoes? Are they masculine looking or am I being ridiculous? I intend to wear them with dresses, just like I wear my stompy boots with dresses (and somehow never feel masculine in those). Alternatively, if you have an ultra-comfortable alternative, I am open to the idea, too.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Joy

Veteran

Wearing the boots with dresses should dispel any masculine look. The leather looks rich. I like both styles. It is worth trying them with your dresses and see how you feel.

Anonymous

No, not masculine at all . I do get a bit of a Victorian vibe from the, and the quality looks great from the photo! They are a pretty specific look, so if you are questioning them at all, maybe don't bother .

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't find either pair manly at all! More Victoriana and a wee bit Steam Punk. I prefer the two-toned, but the solid might be more versatile.

slim cat

Veteran

I like the solid one - easier to do with anything and looks a smidge taller
( prettier? - to my eye ). Both boots have a lux feel - nice!

Gigi

Veteran

I'm with you. For some reason, the second pair does read more masculine to me--like men's dress shoes, as you said. They have certain characteristics that are exactly like my dad's dress shoes that he wore when I was a kid. The first pair doesn't give me that same impression, though.

Echo

Veteran

Lisa, I would normally say you're right. When there are things I adore, I jump on them with no questions whatsoever. But I have been considering a similar pair of boots for about a year, and I think it is time I gave them a try. Sometimes I don't realize it is time to change my look a little until I actually give it a spin. I am definitely attracted the the steampunk/Victorian style, and have been looking for a subtler way to incorporate the look without going overboard. I think it's an itch I need to scratch to know whether it will work for me or not.

I wonder if I am too old fashioned in seeing men's dress shoes echoes from them, but Gigi is younger than I am and sees it, too. But if Angie prefers the two color, she is normally right (that's why we come here after all!). Slim cat, I kind of see that, too, but in reality the heels are exactly the same (low) height. I'm not too worried about versatility, as I wear enough dark colors that they will always coordinate with black tights and pants.

Please keep opinions coming!

Anonymous

The first pair have a prairie boot look and the second pair have more of two tone saddle Oxford look to my eye. I think they are both great and exude vintage fashion.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I don't see masculine, but would probably consider that a plus anyway. But if you see it, and it bothers you, would you wear them?

rachylou

Veteran

I don’t feel either are inherently masculine, but I can see the first pair not helping a boyfriend blazer....

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I think it's going to depend on what you pair them with. I can see how the second style might be more masculine if worn with tailored suiting separates etc, but since you're planning to wear them with skirts it should be OK.

For some reason though, the black pair somehow look 'taller'. It might just be the tongue sticking up in that particular photo, but I also think the curved flaps add a little bit of a more feminine edge to the overall silhouette. So they might be more versatile.

anchie

Veteran

If you are unsure I would keep looking. But because you are thinking about them for so long, better order them to get them out of your system. That is the only way to know for sure.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I love them both. Refined boots are my favourite style. I get a feminine Victoriana vibe from both.
When I had similar boots, I found the laces annoying as they took a while to do up tight enough and later to undo.

Star

Veteran

The first pair looks more feminine too me.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I agree with others who say that if you think one is boring and the other too masculine for what you want, then you should keep looking. We all see things differently; they’re your feet, so your opinion is what counts.
My opinion (related to my own experience of recently realizing that all my winter boots have >1.5” heel) is that the heels may be more than you want if you’re trying to increase the steps you take daily.

LaPed

Veteran

They're both gorgeous boots, but it sounds like something about them is off to your eye. Might it be the cap-toe that reminds you of men's dress shoes? I wonder if you should look for a pair in a similar style without the stitching at the toe.

Peri

Veteran

Ha! My first thought was "how is this masculine, they look so Victorian". I always look at the pictures first so I wasn't even influenced by your comments.

kkards

Veteran

Hmmm, I don’t see stompy or masculine. What i see is hard edged and structured with a roughness that is just below the surface. I my eye very Victorian.

nemosmom

Veteran

Neither of these read menswear-like to me. I think it depends on your outfit? If paired with tailored shirts, slacks, and blazer, I could see them "leaning" that way. But, they lack that wingtip look that I associate with men's dress shoes.

Anonymous

I haven't known any men who wore shoes similar to either of these, and especially not two tone for dress wear, maybe that's not a wide cultural association?

Describing them as masculine makes me think you are anticipating negative judgement and that can be hard to get around no matter how much reassurance you get.

always trying

Veteran

I agree with everyone -and IMO #2 would look great with midi skirts and dresses.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it will depend entirely on styling. They look refined Victorian feminine to me and would be fun to wear! I prefer the first pair but that is simply my preference for simplicity coming through. In any case, I like both, and I think you should give them a whirl if you have been thinking about something like this for a year or more! For sure. It will come down to comfort anyway, so why not try both?

whidbeygirl

I adore both of these! Not masculine at all. Looks to me like they will be the more refined alternative you were looking for. Very feminine to my eye!

MsMaven

Veteran

I like #1 better. There is something about #2--and as I look at them again I think it's the toe. Reminds me of the Florsheim all the businessmen used to wear, Maybe they still do.

cindysmith

Veteran

They have enough interesting details to keep them feminine without being too froofy

Liesbeth

Veteran

I agree completely with Angie's assessment. I like them! The black ones a tad more with the interesting flap.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t get a men’s shoe vibe at all, FWIW.
The first pair looks more versatile and the second pair more of a statement. Completely different styles, really, so like comparing apples to oranges. They are nice looking. What do you see wearing them with? Or what outfits would each be completing?

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I think the first pair is extremely versatile, like little chameleons for your feet. If you wear a menswear look, they will look like men's dress shoes. If you wear a Victorian/steampunk outfit, they will look like Victorian/steampunk shoes. If you put on a prairie/boho type look, they will suit that.

The second pair strikes me as distincly French

fin-de-siècle steampunk.
Not too costume-y. Stylish. I think you'd get a ton of people stopping you to ooh and ahh over how cute these are!

I don't think either pair are boring at all, and I'd be curious to see you do a try-on and styling with both pairs.