K/R Blondos - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R Blondos

Mona

Veteran

One of my priciest purchases this year from NAS are these boots. They feel comfortable but I am not sure about how they look. What do you all think? They have to be 10 out of 10 in order for me to justify the purchase. Please be as brutally honest as you can be.
It is probably a little harder to see in the pics as they are black. But Suz (who saw these IRL on me) and myself both thought that the ankle should have been a little more sleek.

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Blondo 'Elenor' Waterproof Riding Boot (Women)

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Echo

unfrumped

Veteran

So, while they do look like nice boots, the ankles are bunchy. I am not a tall-boot person so I don't have experience with how often that happens, what do you get or give up with that--meaning, sometimes sleek or fitted comes with less comfort, or sometimes it's the leather or the top fit that's causing the bunching--as in cases where the boot is intended as less fitted all over but is tight on the calf. At any rate I think there are non-bunchy boot looks out there so I assume it isn't present in all.
Have you perused the various boot posts so far this summer, say from other NAS-booters?

Mona

Veteran

Yes, thanks for using the right word here. This is what is bothering me, Bunchiness at the ankle. In my opinion, this boot is not meant to fit like this. It is probably caused by the tightness in calves.

unfrumped

Veteran

Yes, bunchy does not seem good in these, as opposed to something like a slouchy suede boot that is intentional.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Mona, I'm still torn on these. I do think some buckling or looseness in the ankle is completely normal in this style of boot. However, you have very delicate ankles so it may be more pronounced.

Also, I do think it may be an issue of overall fit. The boot is coming a bit too high in the front. It should end below the kneecap and in this case it is grazing the kneecap. That throws the fit off elsewhere as well.

Having said that, people, these are beautiful boots for the price! Yes, they are expensive even on sale, but they are lovely and sleek. And the fit from the side looks extraordinarily good. In person it is even better than here. The quilting is really lovely on them.

Joyce B

Veteran

I think they look great but you have to be happy with them, otherwise they are not a good find.

Mona

Veteran

Suz, I agree. The bunchiness at the ankle looks more than what it should be. It takes away from the sleekness of the boot which I don't like.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't find the ankles too bunchy. The height and fit look excellent to my eye.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Angie has spoken.

I vote keep unless you feel awful in them. Great boots that are weatherproof are SO hard to find. Or maybe I am just projecting...you saw how these were even taller on my short calves so unwearable by me....

Mona

Veteran

Well, if the height and fit look excellent to Angie's eyes, who am I to say no to these?
Suz, I don't feel awful in them at all. They are very comfy. The only thing bothering me was the bunchiness at ankles. I was not sure if they are supposed to fit like that. But, like you said, a little bit of looseness is probably normal.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yay!! I am glad you are keeping. I can enjoy them vicariously and hope that next year's model is a little shorter.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

The Blondo boots I bought from NAS two years ago have this bunching in the ankle too and it doesn't bother me one darned bit. I think these look fantastic on you and if they are comfortable, definitely keep

Anonymous

I think they look great - I see the bunching, but that's just part of what happens with boots, no? Are they side zip or pull-on? If they are pull-ons , you wouldn't be able to get them on if they were any sleeker at the ankle. Pretty beautiful boots!

Gigi

Veteran

My immediate reaction, before reading any comments, was that I liked them. I don't think there's too much bunching. I think the height is OK too. And the fit around the top of the boot looks really good—snug around the calf. But if the bunching bothers you, keep looking around and trying other boots to see if you think you'd be happier with something else. If you find something else or find that you really think you could find an "unbunching" boot, then you can return them.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think the bunchiness looks normal and is not what your eye would focus on in real life. Keep and enjoy!

Mona

Veteran

Suz, I am keeping my fingers crossed for you to find a nice boot like this soon.
Shannon, thank you for chiming in. We are blondo twins now.
lisap, these are gorgeous boots. They have a side zip and the back in elasticized. So it can easily fit different calf circumferences. May be next NAS, you will be my blondo twin
Gigi, the fit on the calf is pretty snug and initially I thought that was causing this looseness on the ankles. I have decided to keep these boots and they will be workhorses in my winter wardrobe.
shevia, you are spot on. The ankle looseness will be a lot less noticeable while walking.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Mona, I have a slightly different style of Blondo riding boot that I got at a NAS several years ago (4 maybe?). They're not quilted, but they are elastic in the black. I have heavier calves than you with relatively slender ankles, and I have a certain amount of bunchiness, too. I think it looks fine. In fact, I think it's supposed to be that way; to my eye, it looks intentional. Yours look great on you. You'll be pleased to know that mine are still going strong after at least 3 heavy wear New England winters.

Mona

Veteran

That is good to know, BethL. Do you ever use a waterproof spray on these?

Eliza

Veteran

Mona- thanks for posing the question. I have these boots from last year's NAS and they bunch at the ankle and sometimes stick out at an angle. I kept, but never wore last winter, mostly due to ambivalence about ankle fit. Tall boots are nearly impossible for me. Fairly narrow calves, low volume heels and ankles, yet needing room for an insole. Thanks to Angie and all who weighed in. Now I can wear them with confidence. Never was sure about the specific criteria for ankle fit.

Neel

Veteran

Fab boots! I am sure you will have fun wearing them!

Glory

Veteran

Mona so glad you are keeping these. They look great on you.

Echo

Veteran

I agree about the ankle fit being just fine. IMO, there is only so slim the ankle of leather boots can be and still allow freedom of movement. Then again, I often have issues with the calf of boots being snug, so perhaps I am just used to bunchy ankles as a matter of course. Still and all, I think these boots look great.