Diana - I remember your boot quest!! Good things come to those who wait and stalk!! Hum, I bought the Frye Julie Shield combat boots, which I love, but I think they are about 7" shaft. Also the top of the boot is narrow. I have think legs and the top is actually snug on me. I will keep and eye peeled and PM you if I find something. That's not a common shaft height for combat boots, but there will be something perfect somewhere...
Angie - Mwah!
Katerina - you have a gorgeous scarf collection. Ok is there anything sartorial you would wrestle someone to the death if they tried to take it away from you?
TraceyLiz - That's an adorable bag! I'm a huge duplicator. But DH feet are 12.5-13 EEEE and Clark's old style wallabees, New Balance sneakers and what we call "dog show shoes" anatek's a believe must be stocked in multiples. If they run out it will be bad.....so I hear you!!

The closest I come to an obsession in fashion is probably a character trait that runs throughout my life: no matter how hard I try, I want it all to look easy. If I can make something rough and tumble look elegant, great, but if I buy and wear things that say “elegant” all over them, then I wind up feeling prissy.

I always am on a hewi quest it seems! Perfecting my jewelry/accessories capsule right now. My wardrobe is in a very good place, can mix and match very effectively within capsules, it suits my body, coloring, and life....but....my jewelry and accessories are a magpie hodgepodge. And then the task of storing them....

FashIntern - I so get that. I have a very ladylike elegant formal style. Exactly because of that I often wear very RATE boots. Paddock, moto, combat in those outfits. Otherwise it reads “ole lady” to me. Even my refined footwear has a toughness about it. It keep things on the edge which is where I’m comfortable. What is your favorite element to add toughness? Mine are boots and belts.
Suntiger - kudos to you for having achieved wardrobe zen!! I stand in awe. I’m not an accessory girl but I have enough belts and scarves to require special organization. I can’t imagine jewelry. Can’t wait to hear how you manage that!!

I resisted commenting because my obsession is so mundane.

My wardrobe obsession is black pants. Black pants in every possible style. I cannot resist. I have to try them on ..... no matter how many I already own. I never seem to feel I have enough.

Gryffin, you ask good questions... hm, would I wrestle someone to death?

The thing is that I love many of my wardrobe items a lot - but I still can’t pick ONE which would stand out like that. A couple of years ago I misplaced my favourite pair of earrings, I thought I had lost them somewhere. I have been wearing them several times a week for years. Not terribly expensive, but a very versatile design, mixed metals, perfect for me, and impossible to replace because the design is discontinued. I was very sad, and very happy when I found them later on the bottom of my makeup bag. I still wear them several times a week. I would duplicate them in a heartbeat if I would find them somewhere. I guess they are the closest to a wardrobe obsession I can think of at the moment.

Finding a casual jacket was a bit of an obsession for me. I think the two that I found have given me some good options. A charcoal leather moto, to toughen up pretty dresses and a denim jacket.

I love your new bag, it is a classic design.

Sterling - hum....you hesitate to tell me the "princess of darkness" that you are obsessed with black pants, all black pants, needing black pants, all silhouettes.....why?!! Of course I get it!! Each is unique, each has a needed spot, are they deep mysterious saturated black/black, faded, waxed denim, ponte, leather, I could go on!! That's a truly important obsession and a difficult one! Kudos to you and wishing you many more wonderful pairs!!
katerina - I totally get that. Accessories/jewelry are very difficult especially they either go with everything (the hewi's) or specific niche items. I would be heartbroken if I lost earring that were that perfect. I wear diamond studs, every day, every where, if I lost them......So I check to make sure they stud screw backs are all the way down but I do worry....not something I can duplicate.....
Bijou - awesome jackets! IKWYM casual jackets are tough. I had to go to a band parent meeting. Most things I own too dressy. I finally found the perfect for me black denim jacket! Don't wear it often, but when I need it I need it! Love yours, the cropped moto is THE perfect length! Wow, great job finding!!

Gryffin, I’m still sorting out my wardrobe and everythings’ functions in it. I think shoes/boots probably are a big part of how I rate things up. In a thread where I posted a bunch of boots I liked last year, Jenni NZ said they nearly all looked like tramping boots. I thought it was pretty funny.

My palette tends to be strong colors, and I often pair big/chunky/rate with more body-fitting and /or traditionally pretty, like a blue paisley skirt from a fancy store and silver necklace with a black T-shirt and stompy black boots.

But really, I’m moving in the other direction, I think. I remember discovering how body suits and tights could get me past the drab body-draping sweater and jeans/pants silhouette to look actually feminine in winter. That was 20 years ago. Then I gradually started wearing my jewelry. The most recent step in this journey has been pink. The amount of it I own now is probably more than what I’ve owned the rest of my life put together, no lie (although there is one pink item I’ve had since high school).

Despite all this, I cannot picture myself being all elegance, no rough edges. That just sounds boringly predictable to me (for me).

There is a psychological growth side to this movement too. Being active and physically strong has always been very much a big part of my self-identification (it was rough for me the first time my son was clearly stronger). It’s also related to my role in my family, but that’s beyond the scope of what’s appropriate here.

...My obsession is your bag , Gryffin!
I think you are very right to get this size and shape. I LOVE the chestnut version. TDF!

Yes jackets I dont know but they have been an comstant obsession

That is really a great bag, I understand why you love it.

I have always been more a shoe person than a bag person but I got one this spring (Vince Camuto from Nordstrom Rack) that I love and use most of the time. I wouldn't say I'm obsessed though and not sure I can think of anything right now. Which is very unusual for me

Wait, I have two pairs of casual shorts (the same style, one a gray-ish white and one a denim-y blue so they go with almost everything) that I wear every night after work in the summer. I just noticed last night that they are starting to wear out and I will be very sad when they bite the dust - maybe that counts?

FashIntern - I remember bodysuits. I adore them and they are very hard to find, although they've come back in the past year. I didn't realize when I got mine for AT in the 90's that it was a riff on Donna Karan and her seven easy pieces. That's interesting how you define yourself by your physical strength and yes our son's do become stronger and quickly too. I also define myself by my strength but not physical - by grit and the ability to endure. That's why my style statement is enduring classic (the ability to endure and the tough patina is an important element - lived in things, things that have survived) if that makes sense.
smittie - I never saw it in chestnut. I'm not even a brown girl, but is THE most gorgeous, richest, most elegant brown bag I have ever seen! Wow, and they know it. It's not only not discounted on amazon it may be at a premium price. Hurt me, but OMG she's gorgeous!! Definitely a worth obsession with a hurt me price tag....
Ledonna - I am so with you! Blazer/jacket/coat girl, as if one obsession is not enough.......hangs head in shame.....
Robin - super pretty bag. I have such a sugar eye for a great saddle bag! That's my preferred style. As above I'm pretty much obsessed with all my 10's and fortunately there's a lot of them. But right now the coach is my pet, except when I wear it with the VB scuba or my leather leggings or the EF coax booties....or...or....

Gryffin, mental/emotional toughness is absolutely a part of it too. I remember being frustrated while looking for bodysuits 10 years ago, when we moved to the high plains. When it’s cold, I wear them like undershirts, don’t care if they’re stylish or not.

Hmm, not one specific piece, but I sure do have a jacket obsession. I find great jackets even when I’m actively trying to NOT look at them! LOL

That is a great bag, I can see why it inspires such dedication when all the details are so right.

FashIntern - agreed, I don't choose things because they are "in" If I love them and they work for me (thinking bodysuits, leggings, skirted leggings etc) I don't care if anyone else like them. It's why I hoard while the hoarding is good...

Janet - we are one in our jacket obsession! I know how you feel. I just bought a winter puffer, waiting for it to ship. Soooooooooooooooooooo expensive. Not allowed to look at anything in September if it works out. Fortunately I have my RM blazer to look forward to wearing and the Caslon moto (which is really an uber nice leather sweatshirt with that hoodie. I am looking forward to wearing it lounging. But fall is the best time for blazers, so I feel your pain, must not even risk looking this month, no girl math for me...unless coat is an epic fail, but I need the coat....

I think I do now Gryffin. I wasn't sure I did, but after buying the bronze cardi last weekend my obsession with finding exactly the right pair of bronze boots has got somewhat worse. I've been staring at the first ones for 4 months but have just recently found the second pair which may be better. The first ones are too high for me probably and I have delayed because my two most recent pairs of heeled boots are insufficiently worn due to their heels. And I don't want to make a mistake I seem to have already made twice, a third time. If not for that, I would have bought that first pair months ago as I adore them. They are on special now but a hassle to get as I am not sure which of two sizes would fit. Ordering two sizes and returning one when I am still so unsure is not something I would enjoy doing. This is why I prefer bricks and mortar shopping. I did actually try one of the sizes on in person about 4 months ago but I can't remember now which size it was! And they were moderately comfotable but not a slam dunk comfort-wise. So I delayed. I suspect I am one of the biggest delayers on this forum. When I delayed 11 months on buying my olive snakeskin pants another Fabber said they didn't think they had ever waited that long to buy something.
The issue is I've made so many mistakes in the past! And I feel so guilty when I do. And especially now when almost every dollar is needed for our new house which is almost finished... I am not feeling sorry for myself though, I will be in a beautiful new house soon, maybe I can stroke tiles and door handles and heated towel rails instead of boots

My feet, especially the right foot, pretty much hurt 24/7. My obsession is to find shoes I love that also work for walking. A number of shoes are great for standing or even light walking but not much more.

The Josef Seibel shoes below provide amazing support and are more comfortable than my true gear shoes. But edgy or funky? Hardly. But they have shown me what true comfort feels like.

I still get sidetracked by stuff much easier to find like toppers, interesting bags, socks, etc.

Jenni - you are very smart to be picky, especially about heel height and comfort on shoes. Buying shoes as works of art, and really how many of us haven't succumbed? Well it's a really a waste, same with bags, clothes...but it's hard to resist the siren's call. That is some gorgeous color, I can see where you obsession is taking you, but I applaud waiting for the right pieces so you will use and enjoy them! I have waited more than a year for something, I don't know if this applies to you, but sometimes if I didn't buy it, well it's because it's an aspirational purchase not a true love for my authentic style. This does not include stalking. My MK Collection Houndstooth jacket was way too expensive, only when it hit super sale could I hit buy. So know thyself!!
Donna - princess fussy feet reporting in! I so get this. Anything is better than pain. Style comes after comfort. Keep looking you may find a other brands that really "get" you. Also would orthotics help? My orthotics, over time, have allowed me to enjoy a wider group of shoe options. No perfect but better. Just a thought...

DonnaF, clunky is in, from what I can tell. And I fully agree with you on comfort/wearability being primary when choosing shoes! When I first heard of “sitting shoes”, it took me a loooong time to figure out what it meant, because it is so counterintuitive to me.

Revisiting this thread, for reasons. I've been in the market for flat, work-appropriate shoes since I'm about to be having to interview for jobs and stuff. As I've browsed all the shoes on the internet, I kept finding myself adding boots to my virtual shopping cart.

I HAVE BOOTS COMING OUT MY EARS WHY AM I PUTTING BOOTS IN MY VIRTUAL SHOPPING CART

LOL

I finally had to tell myself that I was not allowed to look at boots. So then I caught myself putting booties/ankle booties in my virtual shopping cart. While my collection of booties isn't as, um, extensive as my boot collection, it took some major effort (and major chocolate) to make myself stop looking at booties, too.

I'm proud of me, I ordered flats!

Of course, I couldn't quite get that one right. I was looking for black flats, but what wound up in my cart was metallic shoes. I'm ok with it, because
* A) metallics count as neutrals, right?
* B) bookending (Angie teaches us well LOL)
* C) SHINY

Figured you guys might get a laugh out of my weird obsession with boots when what I NEED is flats