Hm I think perhaps this conversation, somewhat inadvertently, is actually talking about two different things, myself included. I do still think that flatter, funkier light metallic shoes could be a fun option for you but NOT in the place of the booties you later brought up; I meant in place of the gold pumps. So my metallic examples were more in line with those, and the effect that they would have in an outfit (and the finds I included were my own shoes, not necessarily shoes I would suggest for you specifically).

I'm glad you left your ramble in! Specifically this line: I think it is the “texture” part of that boot’s effect that appeals to me, more than the “glamor” aspect. To me this is a very important distinction. I did go back and look through the boots, and they seem in line with this line of thought. However the vibe I get from them is more a bohemian feel -- rich color, texture, maximal details, and actually a fairly refined overall look with a little dark glamor.

Do dark metallic shoes work like dark shoes, or does the metallic make them work light? They will work like dark shoes because they are dark. Just a little less severe then, say, solid black, because the metallic sheen lightens the boot a little. Not enough to be low contrast, though.

So! I will change my recommendation a bit

Re the boots: I think they will be a very good fit for you, kind of like a boot version of the new loafers you've been wearing a lot. Short ankle boots are great for FL winters and based on the pieces you've listed I think should work quite nicely. They will NOT behave like a light metallic shoe and I don't see any overlap in function there. As I said above, they should work anywhere your loafers do when you want a more boot-y look (and could be particularly fun with shorts/capris/dresses if that's a look you like).

Re the gold loafers: I vote hold off for now and experiment with the light shoes you have to see if you even like the "nude shoe" look. You may find that you don't feel the need to lighten up a look and that's just fine! If you find that down the line you are still thinking about them, however, then revisit the idea and look at what specifically is the appeal; I don't see this particular pair as quite in line with what I've seen from your style. Of the four light colored shoes you linked I think #2 and #3 look like they should work well for you along with the boho sandals.

rich color, texture, maximal details, and actually a fairly refined overall look with a little dark glamor.
Yes! So much better than I can say it myself (see how I stumbled around in that thread trying to explain to Jenn NZ how I saw any commonality between those boots, lol), but I can recognize that your phrasing sounds just like what I want, Aida.

Thanks for explaining about dark-colored metallics. I know you wear light-colored shoes year round and look great in them. But I think I will hold off because I'm trying to "feel" the seasons more by dressing to them, even if that means holding to arcane rules, and because my look in general is not as glam/elegant as yours*. So I will let these go, then revisit the issue when the calendar says it's spring, by trying the white loafers, etc for a while. Thanks to you and La Belle Demimondaine for that suggestion!

This sounds a little silly, but I'm glad we are on the same page now. I had never thought of fashion as a thing that could be broken down analytically before YLF, and you are really good at it, so when we were running in skew directions, I wondered if I was making an error in logic that I didn't see. But Jenn had commented way upthread that she thinks the boots fit me, and she's good with the logic too, and knows my style, as evidenced by that comment & others.

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*I don't want to look like I'm tramping in the woods (NZ's impression of some of the boots), but do like to be "rough & ready", whether that's my son yelling "Mom think fast!" and firing something my way that I catch, or coming across two women in a parking garage, one with battery cables, one with a dead battery, and me being the only one who knows how to put them together. I have a feeling you can do that too, and keep your light-colored pants/shoes clean, but I hope you get what I mean about the image.

Hah yes I do have the "keep light things clean" super power (somehow). And while light shoes are a signature of mine I definitely understand how they're not for everyone! (They seem to be for less people than more people ><) Regarding feeling the seasons I think starting from that arcane rules place is actually a good idea while you're still feeling things out. Gotta know the rules to break them and starting from a place of familiarity helps with perspective especially early on. Luckily (?) there are many forum members who battle feeling "wintery" in places with warmer winter climates and I'm sure there will be opportunities to discuss that as the season goes along.

(And I hope you're able to get the cool boots and incorporate right away )

Aida I wish non-thread-starters could award point because your "I revise my recommendation " post above is so very wise!

I just remembered one other pair of light colored shoes in my closet, purchased at the same time and place as the loafers, never worn yet. They can probably do anything the loafers can. Maybe I should start working them in, to try to feel the difference between light and dark color/high and low contrast in my outfits.

If I do go looking for metallic flats in March, I think I’ll stick to closed toe and back, probably not even d’orsay, at least until I figure out if we are moving and where to. In a big city where I was using public transit and my bike to get around, I don’t think I’d want sandals—too much dirt! Something that looked lacy or strappy and sandalian but secretly had a closed footbed, like these (but without the pointy toe) might be good
https://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s.....038;page=2

https://www.nordstromrack.com/.....lor=SILVER

But I’ll stop looking now, before I drive myself crazy, taking all of you with me.

I stand by my own distinction of some of those boots in the other thread looking like tramping in the woods! As opposed to the glamour of the floral metallic ones in this thread. I think it has to be a Myers-Briggs difference between us as in Roxanna's thread if you thought they were similar

Jenni NZ, if we all saw the same things, wouldn’t life be boring? Your comment definitely made me look at them again, and it is very good to hear how others might see something I’m wearing/doing, because I’m often not aware. I appreciate that you broke it down to a continuum from more dressy to “tramping”, explaining how you saw the elements of each pair, so I could see what you meant.

Excuse me if I’ve told this story on here here before. I may have. YLF reminds me of it frequently, when two people post very different outfits using the same item, or when Angie wears one of her picks (because she always wears things differently than I envision wearing them when I just see the hanger photo).

A guy I was dating who was into fashion was completely nonplussed when I received a skirt I’d ordered. I pushed him for a response and got “I don’t like that kind of thing”. So when I wore it and he flipped out telling me how great I looked, I called him out: “But you don’t like the skirt”. He said “I didn’t know you were going to wear it like that“.

I wonder if I’d be able to wear even the ones that look like hiking boots to you in a way that looked elegant and sassy overall, so you’d say “I didn’t know you were going to wear them like that” and like the look. I read your comment as a fun challenge, even though I doubt you meant it like that.

ETA If the flat floral ankle boots (I can't get over the dual meaning of "booty"!) don't work out, I think I'll go for either of these. One of them is new; the other one you put in a category adjacent to the Seychelles.

Me, Aida. I battle feeling "wintery" and wanting to buy "wintery" clothing. Today is December and I am wearing a linen blouse over jeans. I combined the linen shirt with my "summery" silver earrings. It ALL feels so wrong to me. But on the plus side, I am quite comfortable.

P.S. I have not had time to read all the comments on this thread. If I went off topic or didn't add to the conversation, I apologize. Aida's comment hit home .... especially today. And I felt the need to whine a bit.

Sterling, you definitely add to the conversation. Commiseration is always appreciated!!

I commiserate more than you could know.

Sterling, forgive me if you’ve told me and I forgot, but where are you?

If we were definitely staying here, these (in "charcoal leather") would be great shoes for work and play with pants, skirts and dresses. Sigh.