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Help me analyze...

christy

Veteran

Sorry I haven't been around much lately - life has been hectic! I'm heading out to do some bag and shoe shopping and would love to figure out why black booties/shooties don't seem to work on me with skirts and dresses. I feel there are several things a little off with this outfit (jacket is too long, etc.) but I'm specifically curious about the shoe question right now. I love the look on others, but I'm not crazy about it on me. Am I right that it's not quite right or does it look okay and I'm just not accustomed to it for me? Is my hair too light? Is it not quite right with my skin tone? I'd love to know what you think!

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Jonesy

Veteran

I 100% love this look on you! Love the booties, love the somewhat oversized denim jacket, love the snakeskin bag! I think you look very chic.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

First of all - I think you look very good in this! All the things you mention are mere details. but of course the details can make or break the impression you are trying to make. Are you tall? If so, you have more leg for contrasting shoes. I think you can have black shoes with this outfit, but I also think a lighter pair of booties would look good.

Not too helpful, I'm afraid?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look great, Christy!

But I totally, totally empathize. I am not sold on dark booties with bare legs for me, either. In winter I get around that by wearing dark bottoms and toned in tights. But in warmer temps I am at a loss.

In fact, I think you look good here. But I do understand the problem. With shorter legs, there are horizontal lines going on. It feels cut off. For me, a skirt this length and shape works the best of anything (any longer is bad news). I think in this case the jacket length does make a difference, too...the eye would be drawn UP more with a shorter cropped jacket. Same with if your bag were on your shoulder.

The shape of a person's leg and the shape of the boot's shaft seem crucial. I don't know if there are any hard and fast rules. I have to try on and try on and try on...just hoping to find the exact shape that will work okay with my muscular calves and not stumpify me too much. With light footwear, it is much, much easier.

Again, to clarify, I think you look super cool here, and have found a bootie shape that works for your legs, and it is not unflattering.

JR

Veteran

The colour of these boots balances out your denim jacket just perfectly! And the boots themselves look marvellous. And you look marvellous in all of it.

Why are you making problems for yourself, when there just aren't any? ;o)

Kari

Veteran

Suz stole the words right out of my mouth, practically.

In this case, Christy, I think it may just be a case of your not being used to (or not liking) your legs being broken up by the horizontal line of the dark bootie, but to my eye the shorter skirt makes this particular outfit work well. It's tricky. I don't have long legs and I have much stockier proportions than you, so I tread cautiously in this area as well!

lyn67

Veteran

Christy, I think those booties are a bit more like shooties and not really booties(?). To me, they look more like a high wamp shoe than a regular booties. If I see well they are higher cut in front than on sides(?) and they do not have too much of a heel, either.
They are probably great shoes, but not really the best here. I would like better a higher heeled(or higher wedge) jet black (but for ex. suede, then the look would be perhaps softer on bare legs, too) and then, I wouldn't mind if they were higher (but narrow)on the ankles, to low calf. I say jet black here, because dress is jet black, too, and needs something to be bookended with.
(But, take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I have just arrived home from a shopping trip:-) and fell in love myself with a pair of higher on the anckles, jet black suede booties, that were incredible good looking on my bare legs, too-(have never thought before!) ...and you know, I'm blonde, too:-))

Anonymous

Hmmmm. *scratching head* Nothing seems to be amiss here to me. I'm new to the bootie/dress pairing but this seems to work. I like the way the tone of the booties bookend the jacket. I don't think the dress needs to be bookended, since it's the main event. The black in your bag references it anyway. I'm also new to longer jackets, so I'm not sure how to work the proportions. I know they look good with pants, but I'm not sure how to wear them with dresses.

You look beautiful anyway, and I hope you have lots of success shopping!

qpswan

Firstly, I love your hair colouring!

I think that the jacket length works with the dress. The problem may be the lack of waist definition (I struggle with this). Try a belt?

I am not a fan of booties with dresses, skirts, crops and capris etc. I think that it is a very tricky look to pull off, at least for those of us who are not runway models. I prefer a low vamp shoe that elongates the leg and looks more feminine.

I also find that if one lacks confidence in their outfit, it shows, but then again, I not a fashion risk taker...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the booties with the dress, Christy! I would prefer to see a cropped jacket with ensemble on ultra petite you. Those proportions will add the structure that you crave in your outfits.

Now rock that bare leg and bootie look, girlfriend

catgirl

Veteran

Signing back in to say I love this on you! I'm dying to know what those booties are. Agree a different jacket might be more your style, but these proportions also work well to my eye and are a fresh look.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I find the same issue with black booties (unless I'm wearing pants). My sand colored booties look better with skirts or shorts or rolled bf jeans, and I suspect it has to do with having lighter hair.

If you wore this outfit with darker stockings I think it would change the look where bookending with hair is less of the point.

Krista

Veteran

I like the look - you can definitely carry it off. I'm wondering if you tried them with an outfit that defined your waist more ie. jeans w/ belt or even a more petite cropped jacket as Angie said. That's the only thing I noticed - otherwise, you are GOOD!

KathyL

Veteran

I love reading all the advice because I'm trying to adjust to the booties with dress look too. Very educational. I also think you look great in his outfit. My suggestion would be amore cropped jacket and maybe a different color bootie. Maybe black instead of gray?

christy

Veteran

Thanks everyone for your comments! So although it's not everyone's cuppa tea, it doesn't seem like I'm coming across as a total fashion victim. I went ahead and wore this even though I was a bit uncertain because I didn't have time to change. It actually felt pretty good and I had fun with it.

Angie, you know I've had a cropped denim jacket on my list for more than a year but it always seems to move down my shopping list priorities. I really just need to buckle down and find one because I know this one is too long with most skirts and dresses.

I had a bit of shopping success at the Rack - found a pair of brown leather booties that fill a wardrobe hole. Also picked up some tights (including a pair of fleece-lined black tights!), socks and leggings.

Una, these booties/shooties are Fidjis - got them from amazon a month or so ago. They are not as comfortable as my other pair of Fidjis, but I think will be great once the leather loosens up a bit. I had to size up in these by a half size. I like that they are a bit more on the funky side for me. I think they'll be great in the winter with tights.

Anonymous

Christy ~ You're right...this really isn't working at all. That's why I'm coming over right now to take it all off your hands! Seriously, YOU LOOK FAB!!!! What is not to love about this? I ADORE EVERYTHING! Wear this every day! Ok, maybe not every day....but you get the idea.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love this outfit, but do think you could play with the proportions with a shorter jacket as Angie suggested and/or higher heels or higher ankle boots as Lyn suggested. I think Suz has explained what is bothering you very nicely. But, again, I love this outfit!

Deborah

Veteran

Christy I think this does work and I believe the success of this look is in the proportions. While I think this works, I actually feel a slightly longer skirt might just be a bit better. I am seeing the hem just on the knee?