K/Rx2: potential booties for Express cropped flare jeans

I have become a little obsessed with trying to make the Express cropped kick flare jeans work. As you can see on my previous thread here my current SW booties are tough to deal with as, despite their higher shaft, the fit around the ankle is loose and it messes up the flare of the jeans.
So I went hunting for higher shaft dark booties with slim ankle fit. There are two candidates: French Connection (FC) pointy black patent booties (photos #1-#3) and Elie Tahari pewter/black almond-toed booties (photos #4-#6). The shaft on ETs is about an inch higher than on FCs. Both fit fairly snug around my skinny ankles. I will post the comfort level review later as not to bias you now - I am curious on input based on proportions and looks only. I am showing them both with nude and black socks. For the ETs I have folded one leg of jeans a little in case you prefer them hemmed. So, the options are:
1. Keep the FCs, keep jeans length as is
2. Keep the ETs, keep jeans length as is
3. Keep the ETs, hem the jeans a little
4. Neither works

Many thanks!

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8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I like the tahari. The taller shaft and very fitted ankle are great. FC looks nice too but I think the taller shaft on the tahari makes it better for kick flares. Both hem lengths look good, I'd be inclined to keep them longer for warmth purposes.

The only slight qualm I have about the tahari is that the upper part looks slightly like socks rather than part of the shoe in your photos because of the strong contrast in textures with the leather. But I suspect that's something that is rather less of an issue IRL. (In the stock photo, it looks less high contrast.)

Janet

(website)

I'm a little biased because I have the Tahari booties, but I think I prefer them in this outfit. I love the way they are as versatile as black booties but have a subtle shine and texture. I like the jeans on you too. Bummed I could not find them in my size.

Karie

I didn't read the other responses yet. Admittedly I have a poison eye for cropped kick flares. I do however like the shorter length, but I'd keep them longer if you plan on wearing them this winter. You can always hem them in the spring if you still want to. I like the higher shaft bootie.

annagybe

#1, #1, #1

French Connection boots.
Somehow the pewter doesn't look as current, to my eye.

Maneera

#1 for me. I love the FC boots and I love these jeans on you. They fit FAB! I would keep the hem as it is.

Aida

I like the longer jean length with both boot options, and prefer the pair in #1 but wish the shaft was juuuuust a bit taller! The boot is gorgeous though, and looks great even with the added socks as in #3.

claire

Active Member

Sorry to be the spanner here, but I "think" (and I could be totally wrong) the key to getting this look right is that the boots need to be taller, and not have the gap between ankle and hem, which looks great with cuffed boyfriends and short boots but doesn't work here. I don't think either boot is quite tall enough, even though I love the fit of the jeans on you (and so jealous you got them, they're impossible to get in Canada). Can you find some taller shaft boots that will close the gap?

Like this zara styling.....

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Tanya

Thank you very much ladies! It seems that the opinions so far are pretty divided.

Crackers, the second pair of booties (ETs) *does* close the gap, as you can see on the left foot foot in photos #4 and #5. I only folded the hem on the right leg shorter for potential hemming advice.

My bad, I think I mistook the top of the boot for a sock, sorry! Then I like the ET's without hemming, and your legs look miles long

catgirl

Check out the link I just posted about Bos. & Co although the style may be too RATE for you.

Destri

Tanya, my vote would be to hold out for a higher shaft bootie. I like the Tahari boot (in fact, I came really close to ordering it) but the way it's made seems to make it read like a normal, fairly low bootie. FWIW, I feel your pain (and obsession). I've looked everywhere and have, temporarily, accepted defeat ( I even missed out on the Express crops -- I ordered them but had to return since I needed the next size up). F r u s t r a t i n g. It makes me want to go into the boot manufacturing business!

Jaime

Strongly prefer #3 and #4 without the hem. I don't think you need to show skin with these sort of jeans and booties. In the summer it is different I think.

Patience

I struggle with hem length, but I think I like the full length best on you. I like both booties too and would probably say go with what's most comfortable. I'm not sure I have been any help but it is good to see you too!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

This combination is SO much better. Keep the tahari and the length.

Thank you so much everyone for all the opinions. This has been interesting as they are very divided.

In terms of comfort: FC's have moderately comfortable foot bed, but the patent is very stiff and tight and rubbed my upper foot raw in 5minutes I tested them walking around after I took the photos. ETs are very comfortable in every way.

I have decided to keep the ETs and jeans as is. I feel that sometimes you have to settle for good enough instead of perfect ( say, 8, on 1-10 scale). My ankles are incredibly skinny and I fear that finding taller shaft booties which fit them without the neoprene sock part would be incredibly difficult. If you add the requirements for comfort, lower heel and moderate price, then next to impossible. So I will keep the ETs in order to be able to wear my Express jeans ( and the eggplant ones from the other thread I plan to shorten) now, and should better HEWI booties show up at some point in the future that match all the requirements I will consider them as well.

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