Choosing a black dressy bootie: should I be keeping this one?

carol3012

Out of necessity for an investment purchase (and since I'm returning that mixed media dress since it doesn't fit me in the bust, boo), I splurged on a pair of boots:

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/aquata.....Ref=SEARCH

Which is a PRETTY big deal for me since I rarely spend anything above a $100 for anything these days (even a dress!, but that's changing with this forum!). I expect the pair to last 10 years with a resole or two in between since it's an Aquatalia...

My problem is that one: it's heeled. It's the one most comfortable heel I've ever tried in my life. Usually anything above 3 inches has me in pain in about a minute or two. I walked around in these in the store and stood in them for about 5 minutes. Not even much of an ache. It's a bit tight at 6.5, but my arch was in the right place and it'll most likely stretch out. That aside, since it's heeled, I won't be wearing it everyday (because well, I'd like to preserve my feet for the next 60-70 years) so to whittle down the cost per wear to even 50 cents a wear would require me to wear it 3 years full time, if not 6 years on and off during the colder seasons. That's a lot more expensive than buying an 80 pair of boots I semi like, find comfortable and wear it to rags in about 2-3 years on and off.

My other problem: while I love the look of it with pants all the way down to its PPL, I'm not very fond of it with tights (which I must do because IT MUST BE VERSATILE!). I have very slim ankles and normal sized calves (guess it's because I'm only 5'1) and they gap pretty noticeably. The area around the ankle is tight, but the shaft is pretty loose making look less dressy. It also doesn't appeal to me for some reason...

My pull for it is that it's *good enough* but because it's so expensive, I'm having second doubts. But if I splurged a bit more, maybe I'd like something better, and since I'm already blowing 300 and some change already on one pair, what's the harm of another 100 more if I'd love it and keep it for that 10 years?

I was thinking of replacing it with : http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/aq.....onalizedso but that's another 150 more.. (I really like the look of these, they're weatherproof which makes it great for NYC and the fact that I'm really lazy sometimes with caring for items as of now).

And then these others: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/vi.....eUrl=Ankle

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/ec.....1-1-FTR-RR

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/sa.....038;BaseUr

But I don't want to make it so that I end up spending that ~$100 bootie just to love it and have it die in 3 years on and off wearing it. I'm really tired of it.

So if anyone could help me out on deciding what has the best silohuette or if I should just really splurge all out on something I think I really like..I'd really appreciate it.

(also I apologize for the long read! TL;DR, help me pick one of the pairs in the links!)

12 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from carol3012

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I believe it's Mary K who says that clothes are not an "investment." If she pops in, she'll explain why far more eloquently than I, but in short -- you won't make anything from them, they only depreciate, and essentially -- they are a consumable, meant to be enjoyed.

That's not so suggest we ought to buy in excess, buy fast fashion, or go for the cheap thrill all the time.

It's just that maybe we need to look at even our expensive purchases in a slightly different light.

When it comes to shoes, I would not pay anything for shoes that I didn't feel very confident would meet the comfort test. So that's my first criterion.

I do keep a sort of rough CPW estimate going in my head (particularly before purchasing something, as you're doing here). But ultimately what's more important for me is the happiness factor. If it makes me profoundly happy each time I put it on, it's earning its keep in my closet. Sometimes I have to pay a lot to get that feeling. Sometimes I pay only a little. I think it averages out pretty well.

12 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Hi, Carol,

My opinion--and I'm not superexperienced in booties--is that you really need to order the other options you posted and try them out before making a decision. I have found when trying on booties that it can be really tricky getting them to be the right height when it comes to wearing pants with them. Also, sometimes the ankle opening is a little wide and can be an eyesore too, as you noticed with the tights. But there's really no good way to know until you try them on. Maybe you could order a few pairs at a time and photograph yourself in each of the pairs, wearing different outfits. You can also post pics online here too, and we'll be happy to comment!

As far as the money goes, Suz took the words out of my mouth: it depends on how happy the booties make you. If you really enjoy wearing them, then they are worth a little extra money. As far as the heel goes, it depends on whether you're willing to just be able to wear them for shorter lengths of time or engagements where you're mostly sitting. If what you really want is something that you can charge around town in all day, then you'll probably want to go with a lower heel. So I think it would be helpful to decide up front how important the comfort factor is: Do you really want to be able to wear them all day? If the answer is yes, then I would recommend passing on the Aquatalia.

I really liked the styles of all the booties that you posted, by the way!

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Popping back in to agree with Gigi also that the proof is in the fit/ comfort -- those were all great-looking options but you'd have to see them on.

I did think the last three were more casual than your first two options, for whatever that is worth.

Also, with booties, sometimes different styles work better with skirts and dresses vs. pants and there's no way around it. So it might be asking too much to aim for one bootie to rule them all.

12 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Those black booties are gorgeous, but you don't sound 100% sold. For that reason alone, I'd keep looking.

I don't mind spending some serious money on shoes since I see them as an investment -- not in a financial sense, but an investment in the health of my feet! I'd pay a bunch for comfort with style, and not think of how long I would hold on to them, since I would probably get sick of them before the CPW whittled down to something reasonable. Also, many styles start looking dated after 3-5 years to me, unless they are classics like Fryes or Docs.

12 years ago

Liz A.

Veteran

It sounds o me like you have too many negatives listed to justify the price. I don't think gaping at the ankle is always unattractive, so I'd love to see a pic, but why not order some options to try? I'm partial to the Via spiga.

Eta that asking a boot to last 10 years is a tall order especially if you want it to stay looking current. Even the most classic items seem to date during that time period although you never know it may come back around.

12 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

I think you got some excellent advice already, my two cents is, for that price range you should not have any doubts about the booties. If you buy them from Nordstrom's at least you can be sure that the return policy is good so that if you do not want them after you try them at home you can just return them. I love the style of the Aquatalias but you have doubts about them. Also, if the booties last a very long time they will go out of style at some point and at that time they may look as useless as the cheaper ones that got ruined from wearing them.
I think the high price justifies having more stringent expectations, but you have to see what feels right for you.
Best of luck with your decision.

12 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I would only spend $500 on boots if they were perfect. Which I have done, several times. I don't regret my purchases (two pairs of Newbury booties from Rag & Bone). If you love the quality, look and feel -- then in my opinion it's worth it.

So that's my opinion on "should I spend a lot." Regarding the different boots shown in the links, I cannot offer any opinions as I don't know how they look on you. Also I have no experience with Aquatalia. But I will say that if you want an everyday bootie that you wear all the time, my instinct is to tell you to go for a lower heel.

12 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

I feel your pain re: the search for the perfect black bootie. "Good enough" wouldn't make the cut for me when I am spending 3x my higher-end item budget on something. Those splurges have a mega-high happiness factor and tick a lot of my boxes.

The heel height, ankle gap and fact that you aren't in love all seem like serious negatives. Try the other pairs and see what you think. Also, keep mulling over where and when you want to be in booties. Perhaps try them all with same 2 or 3 outfits (each representing a different wardrobe need) and see what jumps out at you.

Good luck and take a bit of time to sort it all out. I spent 8 hours in NYC last week looking for black booties. So many great stores, but zero lucks itch my fussy feet. . Returned home and found a pair of wedged Aquatalia booties because I had given up and wasn't looking. Were they the pointy-toed Beatle boots I sought? No, but field testing convinced me to re-think that plan for now.

Good luck with your search.

12 years ago

minimalist

Veteran

I like all the styles you posted, for current wear. But if you want a boot that'll really be your love for a decade, maybe a not-updated version would have better life. Would that be too plain for you? I've had shoes that lasted that long, because they were high quality and I took good care of them, but they were ~never~ fresh like these you post are.

Love what Suz said about the happiness factor, and Gigi's point about fit and comfort.

Having similar questions about booties I picked up at a DSW b&m shop yesterday. They make me happy ... but I'll need inserts for arch support and don't know if those'll fit. Haven't posted a K/R because I don't have relevant clothing, hosiery to style them for photos.

12 years ago

carol3012

Active Member

I've decided I'm probably going to return the Aquatalia boots I bought... sadly but cest la vie. I'm not keeping it until I love it and never doubt it.

I know the later ones are more casual, but all the current boots this season aren't very..practical for long term wear (really, tassels, multi studs and the like? No thanks!). So I'll just keep looking til I find one..

12 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I love, love, LOVE the first boots (not so much the others), but I completely agree with your decision to return because it sounds pretty clear that they are not just right for YOU. It sounds like you have enough doubts to make them not worth the investment.

12 years ago

carol3012

Active Member

I actually really love them too in a sense...but I'm incredibly flip floppy about it... The only thing I wish was.... I don't know why but somehow the boot doesn't appeal to me as much as the Roma does :/ The fact that there is a "better" bothers me...

Might need to go to Lord and Taylor to try it first before deciding though.

12 years ago

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