So I've been continuing with my closet clean-out these last few months. Donating things that have either seen better days or I just don't wear much anymore and selling the other discards either on ebay or one of the designer resale sites.

I think last I checked I was up past $5k in sales from the items I've sold (woot!) which, of course, has supported the new purchases I've made (largely to replace shoes that are no longer comfortable because my fussy feet have changed size and gotten a bit arthritic over the past few years).

Then I pull out these two pairs of vintage real python skin cowboy boots. They fit fine and are quite comfortable. The robin's egg blue leather and snakeskin of the one pair is such an unusual and cool color for snakeskin boots and the natural skin ones (unusually) have full python all the way up the shaft.

Yet I find I rarely wear cowboy boots these last few years. I think it's because of the height of them more than anything else.

So, I'm trying to decide whether I should keep them and make more of an effort to wear them, sell them, or DIY them by cutting them down to more of an ankle length. The blue ones I thought might even look cool if cut them down and then got my hands on a vintage concho belt with turquoise and turned that into a boot strap for each boot at the lower ankle length.

The full skin ones I'd probably have cut at an angle so instead of cutting straight across I'd cut them at a downward angle, so they were slightly higher in back than in front.

I've provided photos of both pairs of boots as is as well as some inspiration photos of cut-off ones. I also show an inspiration photo of one pair thats been folded down and decorated with vintage belts (I considered this but I've decided against going this route because I think it will add too much bulk down around my ankle --something that would likely exaggerate my already short legs).

I also show the blue ones with my antique concho belt wrapped around it once so you get what I'm describing (don't worry. I'm not cutting up my antique concho belt. It's a nice one). I was more thinking I'd keep my eyes open for a cheaper one at the flea markets and use that to create a loop around each boot. Then I also show a photo of the full skin python ones cropped so you can see what I mean by cutting them down at an angle.

So, what do you think? Should I just get rid of them, wear them as is, or DIY them to give them another chance at life in my closet?

Would love to hear any opinions here. There is a part of me that feels slightly bad at the idea of cutting them down (because they are vintage and in perfect condition) but if it means they sit in my closet otherwise, should I just sell them so they'll go to a new home where they'll be loved and worn or make the effort to give them new life?