K/R/Alter(?) Spanish Topline Equestrian Boots

This is the second winter I have been trying to replace my dated 6 year old flat black knee high boots. After trying B&M stores and onesie twosie orders online I decided to assault the problem. I now have 10 pair of Ariat and Frye boots in my bedroom and only one pair worth even taking pic of.

My requirements are many, and these meet most, I know it is optimal to have one pair of knee high boots for dresses/skirts and a larger shafted pair for pants but with a dominant summer climate one pair of boots is all my wardrobe will be getting.

I feel like they are a bit loose at the opening but tolerable with jeans. I just wonder about the skirt? (FWIW: I would likely only wear these with a skirt a handful of times in an entire season, this year i'd say it was less than 10 total boot + skirt combos.) Does the cuff look flat out silly with the skirt? Does the Spanish sloped topline help the looseness look intentional? Am I over thinking here?

I really want to be done looking. The current ones are falling apart and I dont want to put money into re-heeling their square toe dated look.

Also took a pic of gore detail and another place near the top of the boot where there is a seam in the lining. Are these potential points for alteration? How would one even go about finding a qualified individual?

Yay -- keep, wear with the pants dont worry about it for the few times in the skirt
Nay -- return & keep looking, strength be with you

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13 years ago

Anonymous

I would say these could've altered if you really needed them. I like the sloped top line a lot! They look nice!

Kalli

Active Member

I always get my boots altered. So I'm a yay!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I want to say keep but I think for such a workhorse you need to hold out for perfection - I like the sloped top but not the fit on top, and just don't know about altering them. And, yes, strength be with you!

Sarah A

Wise Shevia!

Kalli, how where do you find a cobbler to do this and eval if they will be any good at making it look seamless in the end product?

Thanks Ceit!

Tina

Allie over at Wardrobe Oxygen has done posts on boot alterations. These look so good and they are fine with jeans but I agree they are to wide for dresses. They look exceptionally good and I really hope you will keep them. Maybe you could find some nice booties to wear with dresses, just sayin:-)

No one wants to say return, so no comments huh?

What about if I said these were "jeans only" boots? New opinions?

Kristin L

I think they'd look great with jeans. I'm not so sure about skirts, though. I've never tried to have a pair of boots altered, so I can't say anything about that.

Are you happy with these boots? I totally understand the frustration of looking for the right pair of shoes, especially ones that you'll wear for as long as you wore your others. If you're not 100% happy with them and you can't get them altered, then I'd say be strong and send them back. I'm really sorry.

I say buy for your main purpose -- if you really are sold on wearing them with skirts, I think you would need to alter them. If you are mostly going to be wearing them with pants, then I think they are totally fine as is.

Isis

I'll say return. Sorry. I hope Angie weighs in as she is the expert, but I think the problem with the boots is that they are too high, which makes them too wide as they approach your knees. For my taste, they are too gappy even with jeans.

Since Zappos lists boot shaft height, can you look for a height that is shorter than these?

kellygirl

I agree with Isis. I think there is too much gap even for skinnies. If these are spendy, I would wait to find something perfect rather that take the chance on alteration. I know the feeling of wanting to be done but I think you can do better.

Zappos doesnt have many boots as flat as I need for my foot challenges, but I found these as a potential contender:

http://www.thefryecompany.com/.....?color=BLK

flatter foot (yay for my injured ankle ligaments!), about 3/4" shorter shaft height and smaller circumference. A chunk more expensive and not free returns

Thanks for your feedback, keep it coming!

Beth

I also agree that the fit just isn't right. Have you looked at options from Aquatalia? They tend to be narrower in the shaft and very comfortable. Lots of great flat options.

Sarah, since I have skinny calves and ankles, boots usually don't fit me right so I always have to get them altered. For the first pair, I bought something cheap ($300 boots at the end of the season were $60) and I paid the $60 in alterations willingly to test out the cobbler. I got rave compliments and other girls with skinny calves asked me where I got my boots. I'll have to post the one pair I kept that I had altered - it's just a knee high pair with a 2.5" heel, very classic almond toe. I finally found a brand that I like with skinnier calves so I go with them usually (but they don't make really elegant boots).

Thanks for the recommendations. I do think the height was a problem here as well, thanks Isis for identifying that. I will check out Aquatalia and also I am going to go have a look at the cobbler down the road to asses what I think of the place. I have decided to return these and let the hunt continue. PPP!

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