Does everyone need a pair of tall, plain, goes-with-everything boots? - YouLookFab Forum

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Does everyone need a pair of tall, plain, goes-with-everything boots?

Diana

Veteran

Something Rita said in my latest boot thread struck a chord with me. " I can see why Mochi says that they are "nothing special." these are actually my favorite kind of long, tall riding boots that are subtly decorated and let the rest of the outfit do the talking. "

This got me thinking that maybe I need a pair of plain, works-with-everything tall, sleek boots. All of my other tall boots are statementy (either shiny, or covered with laces or buckles, or crazy patterns, etc). Tall boots by themselves are already kind of a statement, and maybe that is enough without any additional detailing. But I find it boring to shop for plain boots, so I never get excited about buying them.

So what do you think? Yay or nay? Does everyone need a pair of plain tall boots? Is this one of the must-haves of your winter wardrobe? (I guess if you never wear boots you are on the bench.) By plain I mean simple lines, no standout hardware or lacing or distressing. I tend to think of riding boots when I think of these things, but I think other types might qualify too. The color will depend on your personal preference. I don't know whether I am a yay or nay right now...

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from cciele

Sona

Veteran

I would say yes. they do go with everything. and make for fast fashion when in a crunch. consider waterproof ones so they are weather independent.

Mochi

Veteran

This dovetails with my reply right now on your other post. I do think it's good to have this kind of boot--isn't it the LBD of boots? Maybe even more utilitarian than an LBD.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I don't know Diana - to me that's the same question as "does every gal need a pair of basic pumps"? Not necessarily. To me you don't need basic plain boots if that's not your style. Why can't your footwear be "statementy"?

Diana

Veteran

I guess I should add that I wear boots almost every day in the winter. Sometimes tall, and sometimes midcalf. Occasionally booties. But on cold days, tall is pretty necessary since I don't do puffers, long underwear, or very long coats.

(Shannon, no I don't have basic pumps. But I also never wear pumps.)

kellygirl

Veteran

I'm not sure either. I think if you tend to wear more "statement-y" clothes, the answer may be yes. Personally, my style is so plain that I use boots to make the "statement." My Frye Rory's are the plainest boots I own and I probably wear them less than any other pair. Interesting question!

Anonymous

Diana, I have moved past trying to find that (black) boot that goes with everything. I do have several pairs of black boots, you look at the list and it sounds redundant but It is not, not to me. Each and every boot fits a purpose and is cherished for a reason or another. We don't do that with any other type of shoe, but for whatever reason, we set ourselves for the impossible quest of finding that perfect, go with everything, boot.

My vote is NO, you don't need a pair of "go with everything boots".Do those even exist? Unless you are planning of living out of a suitcase for years, and are not able to pack more that one pair of boots, have as many as you need.

Diana

Veteran

Kelly, good point. I think most people would agree that my clothes are pretty statementy, so maybe I do need the plain boots to ground them sometimes. Like, would the combo of my Liberty printed jeans AND my super shiny grey boots be too much?

DonnaF

Veteran

I think if one lives in a climate where one rarely needs to wear boots and one is not a *boot person*, then having plain boots makes sense for those rare times. . .Okay, this is me. And last winter, I wore my tall boots twice because I forced myself to wear them.

If one lives in a colder climate, and one loves boots and does not have a minimalist style like you, I don't see why tall plain boots should be a necessity. Now, if there have been times where you have said, "Oh, a plainer pair of boots would have looked much better," then that means there is a wardrobe hole.

Disclosure: I don't believe in wardrobe *Must Haves*. I don't own a LBD. I went for years without wearing my black skirt. Last year, I finally figured out that I hadn't owned pumps for years, much less black ones.

Anonymous

Umm... and I need a little somethin' somethin' in a boot, especially if they are black.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have a pair of tall plain black riding boots. They were handmade in Italy and beautiful. I got them for 50% off, still pretty spendy. I can't remember the last time I wore them. I keep them because they'd be very expensive to replace. Perhaps I should come up with some outfits to utilize them.

Diana

Veteran

OK, so far it sounds like for me, simple but not too plain might be the way to go! A little somethin' somethin' like Zap says. Which brings me right back to where I started, the simple black boots with visible gold hardware. Hah! Maybe the Jimmy Choos will go on 75% discount. Hey, I can dream, right?

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Well I think the studs on along the size do qualify as a little something

I think most people have a pair of tall black riding boots... they are a wardrobe basic like skinnies for most of us.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think you only need them if you need them, know what I'm saying? If, in creating outfits, you often find yourself thinking: "This would look or feel so much better with plain black boots," then you need them. If not, well....go with your heart.

Mochi

Veteran

I didn't mean to infer that everyone should have a pair of plain tall black boots. I really mean that they ARE versatile and convenient to own. And I agree that unless you're Giovanna Battaglia and need to dress head-to-toe Statement Pieces, you'd likely be wearing flashier boots with simpler outfits, or vice versa, so that would factor in.

catgirl

Veteran

I thought so but my quest for a pair that did it all led to nothing. I couldn't find anything that worked this way. Instead, my DV ankle boots and Gidigio boots seems to cover all bases. Plus a lot of what would fit this bill I found to be a little too plain for me.

Anonymous

Rita - Nope! Not a pair of flat, black, tall , riding boots :*( I got rid of them. Those things were old and destroyed.

JR

Veteran

I like to start out any category in my wardrobe with a plain vanilla kind of item with maximum versatility (you know, white blouse, black pants, plain blazer), because then I'm never caught with nothing that will work. If everything is "statement-y" then you need a lot of different kinds of statements to be covered. But I do have a small wardrobe, so at least one or two go-with-everything items are pretty much a must with me. But if you have a pair of boots that fits with every outfit you wear, then you don't need the versatile basics. You get the versatility from the number.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

This is really not an easy question, because the answer depends on so man variables. Many of them are already pointed out here. I've been filling the holes in my wardrobe for a while now, but then what? I have two pairs of plain black tall boots: With heels, and flats. Now I wish I had something more exciting, too! So I think Zap is right: There is really nothing like "one size fits all". But if you tend to miss such boots when getting dressed, then you might need them. although they are versatile, they are not needed for everybody.

bj1111

Veteran

i would say yes. i have a pair of go to heeled boots with a back nonexposed zip, almond tor and a 3 in heel. i will wear these several times a month for the next 10 years like i did its predecessor.

i am looking for similar classic go to dressy non-riding non-cowboy flat boots so i have 3 levels of boot dressiness with frye veronicas anchoring.

i have all manner of eye catching boots that do not get as mich wear as these.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Tall boots - boots that you wear outside of your pants - are an effort for me to style. I don't find them as effortless as most folks on YLF. I would consider an ankle boot more of a wear-with-everything basic than a tall boot, but that's just me.

Aida

Veteran

I agree with Suz: if you keep reaching for them, and they're not there, then yes. I also agree with Zap, a little somethin' something' is a must for boots for me; whether that's color, detail, line, hardware, whatever. For example, of my two simplest tall boots one is a unique color (greige-taupe) and the other is ruched all up the shaft (but otherwise plain black suede).

Mo

(website)

Veteran

For me, yes. For you, maybe. For everyone, no. I loved the fact that my boots were unadorned when I found them. I have plenty of other more statement ones, but I do love the sleek LBD quality of a simple boot.

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, I'm not sure whether or not this is something that I "keep reaching for and isn't there." The thing is that for most of last winter I didn't have tall plain black boots. I did however use my midcalf black suede slouchy cowboy boots when I wanted something simpler and not covered in laces, and I think a taller boot might have been better in some of those outfits. I also feel like last winter I wore a lot of long tunic length tops which were fine with midcalf boots, but shorter tops tend to work better with taller boots IMO. So I think if I had these I would wear them, but it's also not like I am having trouble getting dressed without them.

Freckles

Veteran

Basics can be rather boring to shop for Diana...

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Zap, I love a little somethin' somethin' with my basics. Like my basic black boots are my Frye Melissa lace-ups. They're plain black, but the laces make them statement-y. All I know is, when I wear them they're usually the most commented on/complimented part of my outfit. Both guys and gals notice them! Why not have the basics make you happy too!

Vix

Veteran

I will echo Mo (aside from the "having plenty of statement boots"):

>For me, yes. For you, maybe. For everyone, no. I loved the fact that my boots were unadorned when I found them. I have plenty of other more statement ones, but I do love the sleek LBD quality of a simple boot.

I wear my sleek (black, grey, brown) boots more than the detailed ones. I find the plain ones go with my more minimalist outfits as well as competing with the more elaborate-for-me outfits.

But I enjoy watching those who go another direction!

cciele

Veteran

FWIW, the pair of boots I wear the least? The knee high unadorned sleek black boot with a lowish heel.