Flower pot booties - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Flower pot booties

viva

Veteran

Remember when we used to try to avoid the "flower pot" effect with booties? Now, wider shaft booties seem to be everywhere (note this blogger's groovy booties). What's your reaction to them? I'm hanging onto the narrow shaft as my favorite look ... especially good with my beloved cropped pants. But maybe I need to ease up a bit?

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Adriana

Veteran

I noticed it as well. Mine are all fitted around the ankle. But you know how that goes, just last week observing some ladies with dresses, nude stocking and wider shaft booties I thought: mmm nice.

gryffin

Veteran

I never observed this rule. I used to wear short slouchy booties what were roomy around the ankle, I wear fitted, chelsea, motos and I love a short cowboy boot and they have various degrees of roominess. I do like an interior bootie color that matches the outer and usually wear leggings or black tights/socks but I personally like both if they look balanced on the leg. But that's just me.

Joy

Veteran

I would not wear flowerpot booties because they just make my legs look thinner. The ankle and calf size may make a difference. I have seen women with big calves look good in wide topped booties because their legs look slimmer by comparison.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

For me, it totally depends on the style of the boots and the overall look.

I don't mind a little bit of a gap on myself because it helps make my legs look a little slimmer (I have the opposite problem of Joy -- mine are tree trunk legs).

Anonymous

I assess each pair as they become potential purchases. Some really bug me if they are too open - I have reasonably thin /fine ankles and calves and don't like looking like my shoes are too big. I did notice the effect of the short cowboy boots today and wasn't sure I'd personally style them that way. The pant length seemed too close to the boot opening.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

In short: I have a VERY low tolerance for the flowerpot effect of boots on narrow ankles and calves like my own. The effect is greatly softened on wider ankles and calves.

That said, I take it boot by boot on others. It works on the blogger here because of the wide crops she has paired with them, and the pants cover most of the effect. The boots aren't that wide to begin with too.

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Sal

Veteran

It is one of those intangible things where it works sometimes and not others- well intangible to me. I know some people prefer that room at the ankle.

I prefer a more fitting style on me - but I like a low heeled western short shaft style that is loose on others.

jussie

Veteran

I’m afraid they’re not for me. Even any type of bootie is a bit challenging in terms of how they match up with pant length and whether they make my legs look shorter and stumpier.... so the extra complication is too much! I bet they look great on the right person though.

KMM

I have several pairs of both. I tend to wear the wider shaft booties with skinnies so I can tuck them straight in without bunching. Narrow shafts go with my dresses and tights/leggings. This is not a hard rule however and I sometimes wear the wider ones with my dresses if I'm in the mood, especially if the boots are low contrast with my legwear.

Anonymous

It doesn't bother me visually and never has but it would if I thought it affected the way a person walks.
I especially like the sensible practicality of KMM's formulas.

viva

Veteran

Yes, Isabel: KMM has me totally convinced there is a place for wider shaft; it’s all about the outfit. Thanks for being so rational and clear, KMM!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Sal, it is hard to generalize - cowboy boots often seem wider and although I appreciate a narrow fit, I have and wear both.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

It bugs me when my pants snag on the bootie, either because of width or because of a pull tab on the back of the shoe. Sock boots are definitely simpler.

Staysfit

Veteran

i have skinny ankles and slender calves so even when I try to get a fitted look, there is often a bit of the flower pot effect. I agree with Angie on this, and for the most part I am not a fan of them for myself.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Joy and jessikams said.
I almost always need the closer fit to look “ right” on me and to function under long pants. That realization helped with boot- shopping because it gives focus to the huge array of boot choices and remind me what will be more versatile and reached- for.
On others, I like certain proportions in order for me to “ like” their outfits but as said, other people, plotter legs have different options!

Sara L.

Veteran

I try to minimize the "flower pot" effect as much as possible for myself. My calves are skinny so sometimes finding boots that fit tight enough is difficult and I might finally settle on a pair with a bit of a gap. It all depends on the boot and how I'm planning to wear it.

The Cat

Veteran

Haven't heard the expression before. Fun and fitting description. I try to avoid the look for myself.

Bennett

Veteran

Doesn't bother me, and sometimes it adds an interesting detail to a look! I see bloggers wearing taller boots, wider shafts, and slouchy boots. Also with soft trousers tucked in and allowed to 'blouse' a bit over the boot top. I like seeing the changes!

RobinF

Veteran

It wasn't even something that I noticed before YLF so I guess it doesn't bother me I have fairly narrow ankles and calves but not super skinny so maybe being in the middle makes it easier being not extreme either way.