Last Fryes K/R post: Sorry to be a pest - YouLookFab Forum

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Last Fryes K/R post: Sorry to be a pest

catgirl

Veteran

So Angie gave these an 8, and Jonesy and a couple of others expressed some reservations. They have slouched a bit since my original post, and I've taken additional pics with some of the dresses these boots would rescue. I also have several skirts at this length which have been feeling too short and need dressy boots. Any difference?

I am so sorry to be pesky, but these are a big item, both price-wise and size-wise, and a big closet solution, so I really want to be sure before sending back.

And if these aren't good enough, any suggestions for similar dress boots that would fit my skinny calves?

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43 replies

Latest reply was from kellygirl

cciele

Veteran

Thanks for posting the photos Una! For some reason the boots aren't working with the dresses for me, and I'm unable to articulate why; probably has to do with the juxtaposition of dressiness/ruggedness/weight. Maybe it's the laces that are throwing me off. I think there is a boot out there that will work for you! I'll let you know what I find, being part of the skinny calf club myself.

ETA: I went back to look at your original post. To my eye, the boots look better with a shorter hemline (green and yellow skirts) than the dresses. I think your dresses would look fantastic with black booties.

Sona

Veteran

I think its the boot color with these dresses that isn't working for me. I am fairly 'med-ed' up asI wait for the ob/gyn to call with a sugery decision so cannot make sensible suggestios for alternatives now but promise to look.

kellygirl

Veteran

Those boots are gorgeous and so is your dress collection! I know what an investment these are so I would want to make sure they were perfect too. While I like them, I do think they are a lot of boot on you. You have such nice legs that I think the overall proportions would look longer if you showed a bit more calf. Just my 2cents.

Sona

Veteran

P.S: FWIW: these boots definitely don't rescue these dresses. too clashy to my eye ( cloudy as it is currently).

Jjsloane

Veteran

I'm not loving them on you and not with these particular dresses. Boring as it sounds these dresses would look best to my eye with black boots (but I'm more of a matchy matchy gal) These are also a bit too substantial on your legs and high (even after the slouch). Sorry I don't have recommendations as I do not have skinny calves.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I quite like the boots on you, Una, but I have to agree with Sona that they aren't doing a great job of the rescue. Personally, I suspect it is more the fabrication contrast being too high than a colour issue to my eye --- I like #3 just fine, but the sheen-y silk vs the rugged lacing is throwing me in the other two outfits.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I vote return. They still look too high, and in these pictures they look a bit gappy too.

Do your perfect high boots need to be grey?

Isis

Veteran

Stil too high, in my opinion.

I also don't think they rescue the dresses. I think it's the color, the boots are a warm gray/taupe, and the colors in your dresses are crisp and clear cool tones, not warm tones.

Sorry, no idea about better boots. I do like all the laces on these boots!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

First, may I please say that you look fabulous in dresses? From whence did this, "I can never find dresses" lament arise? Those are gorgeous on you!!

As for the boots...if you love them, keep them, but I'm not loving them with these dresses. From the photos, it feels as if the visual weight of the boots is too much for the floaty fabrics of the dresses. They'd work with something more substantial (I think) but not so much with these.

Diana

Veteran

I like the boots and the dresses separately but I don't think they work together. I have a VERY STRONG preference for liking to see more leg between boot and skirt though, so take this with a grain of salt. With this length skirt, I like a mid-calf height boot best. This taller boot height would work best with a shorter skirt in my opinion (like the length of your new drop waist dress). Or with pants, of course. They would possibly also work with shorts.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I hate to say it, but I think these boots would need shorter skirts. I wear mine with skirts/dresses an inch or two above the knee, and yours are hitting right at your kneecap or lower.

I do love the boots with the yellow skirt you posted in your other thread, and with shorts. But... if the main purpose of getting these was to go with these 3 dresses, I don't think it's working.

For another narrow calf boot, I once tried Naya's "Quail" style and found them to run very narrow - though I don't know how summery they look with a sweater gusset detail.

Jeanne is also right that nude boots don't seem to look the best with these particular dresses. They are so dark, and you have dark hair, so it feels odd not to bookend with something dark.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Two more cents, Una: if going shorter with the boots seems impractical, consider going longer --- midi length to hide the boot tops, so that the issue of too little gap from the knee/hem becomes a non-issue and disappears.

Meredith1953

Veteran

The boots are very nice but do not seem to be doing much for the dresses. I think shortening the dresses themselves or finding a shorter boot wouldl be better for this.

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, looks like these are going back. Thanks for the honesty!

Right now, I am totally frustrated and discouraged witth the boot search and I think I'm going to give up for a while. I really would like a summer alternative to black boots but at this point I'm at a complete loss as to what that would be.

bj1111

Veteran

i love 'em.

Jonesy

Veteran

So you're looking for a tall summer boot? Does it have to be tall (i.e., could it be mid-calf?)?

catgirl

Veteran

It needs to work with these dresses or this length of skirt, Jonesy. You obviously have a good eye for what works so if you have any ideas, let me know! Of course, mid-calf on me is probably a lot different than mid-calf on you.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Una, I think part of the problem here is that you may be wanting one boot to do too many things?

When the boot hunt first started, you seemed interested in wearing boots with shorts and summery dresses, linked to Kasmiria in short shorts with tall boots, You initially started looking at cowboy style boots. To me, that's a totally different direction than dressy boots to pair with dressy sheaths - more casual/Sundance.

On the other hand, you want to bring these dresses into warmer weather, but I honestly don't think anything that qualifies as a "summer boot" is going to do it. I can see short black booties, colored pumps, mid-calf black combat boots... But a nude/virtual nude boot doesn't feel right with the dresses IMO. I can't picture any of the boots you've tried with these, actually.

I guess maybe I'm confused as to which is your style priority for the boot hunt?

cciele

Veteran

Some bootie/black sandal suggestions for the summer:

There's the popular Jeffrey Campbell Lita bootie:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/je.....sultback=0

and I just ordered these to try out as a black summer shoe:
http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....tid=plfr1r

And there's the black Dr Martens Mona:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BDNJKU

They're both kind of high but have a platform so they should be in the effective 3" range

I'll look around for mid-calf and higher boots when I get a chance (I need a pair too!)

catgirl

Veteran

You're right, Rae. I've lost focus! The common theme has been "neutral" - either a neutral color or a nude. The Fryes were a side-track, but have made me realize I need something work-appropriate to go with this length of dress/skirt or else I'm going to orphan them all summer. They feel too short with a shoe, and I prefer boots year-round, like you.

I ALSO am looking for a casual boot to wear with casual shorts/skirts outfits in summer, ideally neutral or summery.

So you're saying only a dark or colored boot would work with these dresses, you think?

catgirl

Veteran

Wow, those are cute options, Cathy! Can't wait to see them on you, especially the last pair - you have to post when they arrive!

I am trying to get away from black if possible, because I wear so much of it in winter. I have the quilted booties, my black Dansko Ryders, and a couple of wintery knee-high black boots. Although I am thinking about the Doc Marcies in black because they would replace my mid-calf boots that I had to throw out when the zipper finally broke.

Jonesy

Veteran

I was going to say that I share Rae's confusion, but now I see that you've cleared it up :). To me, the ideal footwear for the summer with these dresses is a black bootie (shootie or ankle boot). You could also go mid-calf. Then you could wear that pair with black tights or hose with these dresses in the colder months (and lots of other stuff too). Something like the pic below, from Nordstrom (Splendid Rodeo boot for around $150). These dresses are hitting you at the top of the knee, so I can't imagine they would be too short?

Then the second pair should be a fun, summery color or a nude, for casual wear?

Oops, just saw your post about not wanting black...what about your bright cobalt booties? Those would work well with these dresses, I would think?

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rae

(website)

Veteran

Interesting that these feel too short for you with shoes - these seem quite modest to me. Might your eye adjust back to a shorter hemline with the arrival of summer?

Regarding nude boots with these, maybe it is just me, but part of the virtue of a nude or tan leather is that it is closer to the hide's natural state - IMO this makes a natural hide boot look casual. A boot that has clearly been dyed, polished, and shined up looks more dressy.

In terms of straight color balance, if you were to have a light shoe/boot here (I may need more coffee, cuz all I see is white gogo boots ATM), you'd need a light jacket or similar up top. You don't wear white, and I don't recall any nude blazers your the closet... Instead of having to buy stuff to bookend boots you bought to summer-ify the dresses, I think it'd be easier to get the summery effect by showing more leg and sticking to a dark boot that balances the color.

cciele

Veteran

Makes sense about moving away from black! I think gray would work with those dresses too, but a cool-toned gray.

christieanne

Veteran

The dresses look so gorgeous on you - and the perfect length. But just as the knee is making you think they are too short? Do you think tights and a short boot/shootie might work better for you? Or is it not the dress length but that you prefer not to show off your calves?

I think a shorter boot would look better with a dress - even something like the Doc Marten Mandy desert boot if you don't want a pump or sandal. Grey would be versatile for these and most anything with a lot of black.

If the weather is still chilly enough for boots, why not wear the black boots with dresses even if it is June? Black is a seasonless neutral in my mind. I think you should let the dresses come out and play as they are fantastic on you.

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kellygirl

Veteran

I like the shorter lace ups like the one in 1. I also like the other peep toe oxfords--they seem kind of fun for summer. I didn't read through all of the posts so I may be off track.

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Sheila

Veteran

Like the boots, like the dresses. But not together, especially with #2...too many things to look at and they are competing for attention (the laces, the primary colors).

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Just wanted to pop in a give you some hugs Una - I can sense your frustration with this whole boot thing. I have no advice to offer as this is completely beyond my style knowledge. The only thing I can offer is maybe take in all the advice and commentary and then step back from it for a bit and take a break. Sometimes then we get some clarity. Either that or have a stiff drink (lol)!

MNsara

Veteran

Quick - cuz I don't dare lose my cleaning the house mood - don't you have small feet? How about these? They're priced right if you're size 5.5
http://www.onlineshoes.com/wom.....038;offer=

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