Calling out to all Boot Lovers - Need Opinions! - YouLookFab Forum

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Calling out to all Boot Lovers - Need Opinions!

Ankita

(website)

Hello!

I've seen leopard print boots (in pictures) as options for a lot of outfits lately and they look divine.

I used to wear a lot of boots back in my hometown where we had winters, but ever since I moved to Mumbai I've never had a chance to wear boots (sadly we never have cold weather, at the most it's breezy & pleasant).

However, for the 1st time ever I came across this style of boots over the weekend and tried them on. They seem to be the perfect height for Mumbai because I think it could be worn through the year (and not just cold weather months)...which is what I'm looking for.
They are Bershka Leather Booties and I love the zip detailing on the shoe.

Now my concerns with these are- they're leather so will they stretch and soften with time? For now they felt pretty hard... can you wear socks inside and is it OK for them to peek through the top just a tad?... how would you style them?.... any thoughts on them!?

Thanks for looking ☺

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Urgent

29 replies

Latest reply was from Ankita

Word Lily

Veteran

I think these are probably a good boot-like solution for you!

Yes, leather will stretch and soften some over time, with wear.

I'm guessing people will say they look best / most current without visible socks, but that doesn't mean you can't wear socks with them. You just have to find the right ones that don't show — and these are high-vamp enough that that shouldn't be too much of a problem. And it sounds like your climate won't require you to hide that inch of skin.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Agreeing with everything Word Lily just said.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Those are great booties! You can find socks that don't show (little sockettes.) And you are lucky that you can bare skin with them.

Now, as to comfort/ fit, I cannot say. Leather should stretch out a bit and ease with wear...but it depends on the leather to some degree, some leathers being stretchier than others. Also -- what is the bootie lined in? If it is lined in synthetic, the whole thing may not stretch as much, and it may also be very hot for your climate.

deb

Veteran

These a re a wonderful option for you. Go for it!

Ankita

(website)

Thank you!
@Suz: very valid point... shame I dint pau attention to the lining! But I'll look that up now...thank you!

abc

Veteran

Hey! I have Bershka locally ... off to see if they are on their site?

To answer your question - seems like we may have similar climates - it's never really THAT cold here, either.

I think these could be a good option for you but I wonder about the stretching and comfort. In my ripe old age I have come to the conclusion for myself that if I have a hunch the shoe won't be comfy, it won't come home with me, no matter what, sadly.

I have been looking at these booties (find below). I am trying to decide if they're too western/country looking for me as my style is similar to your sister's - pretty modern classic. I am drawn to the open weave for the climate, I don't really need booties for warmth.

Anyway -- let us know what you decide! I love the pattern and can see you rocking these for sure!

Jeffrey Campbell Womens Taggart Boot

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2

abc

Veteran

I don't see them on my local bershka site but i do see some pretty shoes, never shopped there before, now it's all your fault

Diana

Veteran

Cool boots!

I wear little secret socks like the ones in the find below with my oxfords and booties. With booties, sometimes low athletic anklets work also and are more cushioning (assuming you have room in your shoe for them). Don't wear white socks though as they will show from the top even if they stick out (unless you have white shoes). It's best to match the sock to the shoe as best you can, or go low contrast at least.

With regards to comfort, if they are hard enough that your foot is getting bruised/blistered, I'd probably pass. If they are just kind of stiff, that will probably soften out with wear.

Smartwool Hide and Seek II 3-Pair Pack

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8

Ankita

(website)

@abc: Hahahaha! That's what I just did too...couldn't find them on their site so I'm guessing these are from the previous season/year. I agree with you, if they're not comfortable there's no point bringing them home.
Those shoes look really lovely, go shop! Hehe!

@Diana: thank you! I have a pack of these secret socks! ☺
Think I should go back and try them on again...and walk in them a bit in the shop!

abc

Veteran

Yes, I think that is wise - go try them on again, walk around, and don't let your love of them sway you If they hurt in any way, walk away ... you'll find something else (spoken as a shoe lover that has made that mistake more than once)

Thistle

Veteran

Hmmm, I have been to Mumbai, in your supposed winter . . . I thought it was a lovely spring But, I avoid your summers. Even just your supposed spring was HOT.

Anyway, I would totally embrace your climate and go for more of a sandal bootie. I have also learned, if there is any hesitation at all, take them back. You will never love them more than the day you buy them. If they are eventually slightly uncomfortable, you won't reach for them (yeah,I am SO guilty of this mistake - but I am learning.)

Brooklyn

Veteran

They look like a great choice to me, but make sure you are happy with the fit.

Adelfa

Veteran

Just gorgeous.

ma

Veteran

Those are gorgeous!! Hope they work out for you!

Ankita

(website)

@Thistle: Mumbai has horrible weather majority of the year and yes it's humid most of the time...basically sticky & uncomfortable! agree to what you said about shoes not being worth it if uncomfortable and I'm assuming leather will take weeks even with constant wear to soften, so i'm still waiting & thinking more

Joy

Veteran

Thank you for the inspiration photos. I have a similar pair that have only been worn a few times. Showing a bit of ankle may help as I liked the look in your photos. If not comfortable, leave them. You won't reach for them, and they will not soften up sitting in the closet.

abc

Veteran

Have you gone back to try them again in the store?

Anonymous

If they're leather they'll certainly soften with time, but if they're of good quality they shouldn't stretch so much that they become a different size.

Boots without socks are a little like sleeveless turtlenecks. Not for me.

They're super cute, good choice, love the zippers!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thumbs up. Wear them in the same way you would wear flat oxfords.

Ankita

(website)

@Joy: I'd love to see your boots someday! ☺ very true about them not breaking in if they'll just be sitting in storage.

Hi abc! No i haven't had a chance to go back & try them... maybe sometime tomorrow ☺ did you head over to Bershka!?

@isabel: these are leather but felt stiff when I tried them on, but I couldn't really judge the comfort level. I can't wear my boots without socks either, so I'll def be wearing some even if they are those anklet kinds...and yes the zippers were what made me fancy them so much apart from the shape & print!

@Angie: thank you Angie...I'll try them on again asap ☺

mountainwave

I'm not a leopard fan and I thought those look nice. So that says something.
In cooler climes, we'd get slouchy socks to spill over the top. In subtropical, go with the hidden socks. And I'd look for a wicking fabric, including technical clothing companies.

Gigi

Veteran

Love these!

As far as socks go, I have found that it is OK to wear socks with shoes like these as long as the socks match the color of your pants quite closely and there isn't a lot of sock showing. Have fun!

ladyjules

Definitely wear them with socks. If they have leather interior, you
could rub alcohol inside, wear a really thick pair of socks and let them
dry while you have them on your feet. You could also blow-dry them while waiting for them to dry, but be careful with heat. This worked for me on a pair of leather shoes that were really uncomfortable. Not to disappoint you, though, Bershka and all these brands that are under the umbrella of Inditex (Zara, Stradivarius, H&M etc.) have poor quality shoes. I know I tried some shoes from these stores and all were stiff on my foot. In the end I didn't buy any shoes from there because they were just too damn uncomfortable. But now, since you bought them, I'm curious if they will eventually break in and be comfortable. Do let us know after a while.

Ankita

(website)

@Gigi: thanks...great advice! ☺

@ladyjules: thank you so much for letting me know... I haven't bought them yet but will be going back to try them tom or day after once before I make up my mind. Will def update on wear & comfort if I buy ☺

unfrumped

Veteran

These look great for sure and I think would be very versatile with outfits--ankle pants, dresses, skirts.
I think shoes should feel quite good right out of the box (adding socks for sure for me, meaning no-show somethings, for foot comfort/padding) so I may miss out on shoes that need to be heavily broken in.
I can't speak to climate issues. You know your feet. Even if these booties were not the ones, are booties too hot for too much of the year? And do you like to go with bare feet in your footwear as much as possible? Then it would be better to look for something that looks similar but has cutouts or open toes or something. I spend so much time in over-air -conditioned places that I wear pants and socks and shoes and am still cold!

Beth Ann

Veteran

I love the look of these! How about hecking to see if the lining is also leather, or a synthetic. That will tell you a lot about whether they'll soften up at all. I love a lot of the open booties, but never buy them because I live in a more northern climate --- that style of bootie (like the ones ABC posted) would also be an option for you.

Ankita

(website)

@unfrumped: the weather here is mostly humid and hot with a couple of months starting mid November till end of Jan being somewhat chilly and pleasant (still not cold by any means)...so with the height of these I was thinking I'll be able to use them all year round. Usually I always go for closed toed shoes because I don't like getting my feet dirty ay any point while I'm walking... but I know exactly what you mean- if it isn't comfy it just never will be! Thanks for the your thoughts ☺

Thank you so much Beth Ann ☺ I'll definitely try and see if I can figure out what the lining material for these is.

Sarah Robertson

Member

Those are really common where I'm from. I see girls in the mall wearing those all the time. About the socks part, you can probably wear no-show socks. Just so the shoes won't rub your feet and people can't see the socks. Leather usually stretches out so they won't be tight and hard for to long. I recently bought a pair of riding boots that are real leather from Ralph Lauren. The first time i wore them they were tight, but still my size. But they eventually stretched out.

Ankita

(website)

@Sarah : thank you so much for letting me know
These came home with me last night after I went back to the store and tried them on (I actually walked around in them for a good 20 minutes only to see of they pinched me anywhere and they didn't! ) ...
Very happy with the purchase.... would love to see your boots sometime!