Doc Martens Part 2: it's not the fit this time - YouLookFab Forum

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Doc Martens Part 2: it's not the fit this time

Mochi

Veteran

Hi, everyone. I suddenly have the opportunity to purchase from an individual (not a store) a pair of new-in-the-box white 20-eyelet docs you can see Angie sporting in this pic:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/02/.....n-my-step/

As you (might) know, I've fallen fast and hard for docs since getting my first tall pair less than a week ago! Mine are in purple.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....nt-arrivee

The white ones in that 20-eyelet style have been discontinued, and I was already crushing on these unique and cool boots of hers, so I see this as a rare opportunity. The shoe size fits, and I now know that the calves will fit me. BUT.

I'm a bit concerned over how they would look on MY legs, as opposed to Angie's long, sleek, racehorse gams. I'm not hating on my legs, folks. But hers are longer and slimmer, and I'm concerned now that the bright white will broaden them. In addition, I'm wondering if part of why they look so amazing on Angie and others here, perhaps, is due to their bookmarking quality for blondes? I will not be able to return these if I'm not totally sold on them.

I know that without a pic of me wearing the white docs, it's really really unfair to ask you to form an opinion....but I guess I'm asking you to do that anyway:-) if you can.

And please do not be concerned about sensitivity toward the state of my calves, LOL. That's my whole point in asking for advice; my calves are on the larger side, 14.75 and 15.5, and I know it and will not be at all flustered by honest opinion.

I wish Angie were going to be available to help me out here, but I'm pretty sure she's on a plane right now, and will not have any time at least for another week.

Thank you for any and all advice! I really want to start making measured, and not-emotional, purchasing decisions, and your input really helps.

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oooohhhhh Mochi - what an opportunity! I don't think I'd worry about any calf-enlarging properties of white boots. I don't think that would be an issue. The bookending thing is something else though and it's something I've wondered about too as a brunette. I'll let the others weigh in on that.

catgirl

Veteran

To me, styling and not calf size would be the issue. I'm 100% certain I would not be able to make these work for me. Bookending would also be a concern. Wish yyou bring them home and try them out for yourself (and us)! Maybe style your new Docs as you would the white ones so we can at least imagine them in white!

Mochi

Veteran

I know, Shannon--I'm trying not to be swayed by the fact that this would be my best shot at ever getting them...because if it doesn't flatter, it doesn't flatter....but this is where emotion attempts to step in!

Carole

Veteran

The size of your calves doesn't seem on the large side to me, it is hard to help without the photos but if you love this style and can imagine these fitting into your life and wardrobe then why not? Is this a mail order situation, or is it possible to try them and send us photos.

I'm not much help, this isn't a style I'm personally familiar with, but Hopefully others will chime in and help, STAT.

Mochi

Veteran

Good points, Una. I guess I'd be styling them similarly to the ones I have now. I like what Angie's done with the simple blue jeans and nice top look. I guess if I ever buy white jeans, I could do that too, for the long leg line. Probably darker skirts. I like the crisp contrast of the white against darker colors. I'd want to bring it out as much as I could. So bright or dark skinny jeans, a few dark skirts that I own...I don't currently have any dresses but maybe a dark navy one if I ever do get one...helpful, eh.

Mochi

Veteran

I keep cross-posting so thanks, Carole. The boots are now across the country from me! I guess I would need to take a chance and purchase them.

Docs themselves, to me, are not an aggressive style statement, but I wonder if I would draw too much attention (negative) to myself with white ones...I think I'm channeling Astrid here now I just don't want to look like I have odd or ginormous looking calves, for that to be the focal point. But of course these boots are made to attract at least some attention!

I probably would have balked at buying non-returnable purple as my first pair as well, btw.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

They sound soooo cool.

As for the bookending matter, I had a little concern about this when I bought my black and white Doc Marten Saras. I always just make sure I have some white or light/bright touch in the upper half of my outfit to balance the look. It's been something as subtle as a blue blouse with small white dots, or a black and white scarf, or even a bold silver necklace.

I would love to see you try them!

Mochi

Veteran

That's an interesting observation, that it's not just hair that bookends. Thanks.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Actually that's a really good point Janet - I forgot when I wore my Doc Marten Saras this week I made sure the top I had on also contained white - therefore bookending was achieved.

Diana

Veteran

First off, I definitely don't think that the white Docs will make your calves appear huge, if that's your concern. Like the other ladies have mentioned, you can get the bookending effect with a white top or scarf or something like that. If I were you, I would try to come up with outfits that would work with white boots... maybe take a photo with your purple ones, and then change the color of the boots w/ photo editing software?

(Personally I know that I could never do white boots... mostly because I hardly ever wear white at all so they would look very out of place.)

Mochi

Veteran

Hah, Diana, I had just replied to your boot dilemma

You make an interesting point...I haven't done much with white up till now, and that would be a new avenue for me...but that doesn't mean I dislike white or don't want to start introducing it. But then again, it IS a neutral, and technically I can wear this with non-white items as well, as in Angie's pic above. It's really all about the boots. They may be more tricky than the purple, but OTOH just trying to raise my overall style quotient is tricky, so maybe I should take the challenge?!?

Anonymous

Nancy, there ought to be a way to take a picture of you wearing your purple Docs and use a program to *paint* white over the purple on the computer screen to see exactly what they would look like. I have NO idea how to do this though...

Meredith1953

Veteran

Mochi,
Sounds like you are getting some really good advice! I dont' own any DOCS. I sort of like the look but it doesn't feel like "me". However, I feel sure that even if dont' look crazy willowy like Angie, you can rock this look. You can OWN it!

Jem

Veteran

Ooh, that would be tempting!!! I've wondered about white ones, too, with dark hair. I like Claire's idea of photoshopping a picture.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I think the 20 hole docs are only for the very tall. Angie has said previously that hers BARELY fit her properly in the height and she is 5'6". I have serious concerns based on that issue alone. They sound like they would come up very high in the back of your knee making it difficult to walk or sit down in them. How about the traditional 14 holes for us shorties?

DonnaF

Veteran

IMHO, white boots are harder than even tan ones unless your skin tone is closer to white than tan. If Photoshopping in the color won't work for you, maybe you can try on a couple of men's tube socks with laces drawn on in Sharpie. It might give you a general feeling of tall white boots. I think white shorter laced Docs would kinda remind me of figure skates.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

On the bookending front. I bought a pair of brown Frye's a few years ago when my hair was a few shades darker. They worked better then than they do now. I wear my ridiculous white suede stilettos more actually.

kellygirl

Veteran

I think they would be funky and kind of cool if you can bookend them properly. It's a lot of white though. Hope that Angie will chime in!

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I reckon you can probably make them work, and if not, I'm sure that there will be a market for them if you want to sell them on! Docs are always popular, even used ones, in my experience.

Inge

(website)

Nancy, you're probably way ahead of me, but the first thing I'd try them on with is your fantastic B&W outfit here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....y-neutrals

I love that on you, and am very curious to see how it would look with the white Docs;-)

Mochi

Veteran

When I'm in the city today, there's one more shoe store that stocks docs and I'm hoping they have the white in 14-eyelet (which is still available). That would give me a better idea.

I'm thinking my 23-year-old, shoe-size twin, fashion-y daughter might be the beneficiary here if they didn't work out...wouldn't be the first time. Will update. Thanks.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Mochi, I think they'd work. You have that crisp white blouse to bookend, you have the body type where your legs actually ARE slim (YES, no arguments!), you already know that the height works for you, and you look amazing in strong b/w looks. If the price is right, try 'em out - they're discontinued! You can always resell Docs.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm glad you put in for them! You have shapely legs, so I wouldn't worry.