(Long) Boot dilemma old versus new and style shift? - YouLookFab Forum

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(Long) Boot dilemma old versus new and style shift?

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi all I have a fashion problem. My style has been subtly changing over time. Last year you all helped me choose my moniker “Sassy Shoemaker’s Elf” but I have been musing on changing it to “Crisp Consultant” this year as I have felt a shift coming... maybe I am finally growing into my age ( heading towards 60 years old) or feeling a little more gravitas with the year 2020 has been?
And two of my most loved boots ever, are not inspiring me this year.
1. Steve Maddens, bought in Union Square San Francisco at DSW in 2013 on my only trip there. Fell in love and worn 72 times but not at all this year. Made me feel like an ageing rock chick and were fun. A girl in a thrift store later admired them and said she didn’t believe in moderation!
2. Beau Coops cobalt patent, made in Italy bought here 2015. My most worn ever at 111 times but only 3 of those times this year, and there are only a few more weeks of boot season. Still complimented by strangers this year, but really scuffed which I dislike.
New:
3. (Not boots but...) Black croc loafers bought end of February this year. Love. 51 wears since then! Pointy and crisp, but with bling.
4. Olive boots, searched for over a year to find this HEWI. Bought May, 18 wears already. Spanish.
5. After looking at these all winter, I bought them this week. They feel like a more subdued replacement for the cobalt. Minx brand, NZ designed.
Pics:
1. Steve Madden 2013
2. and 3. Scuffs on Beau Coops.
4. 2020 olive boots and black loafers
5,6,7 new Minx boots
8. WIW on Wednesday.
What do I do? Do I edit the old ones, saying goodbye and thank you? Will I be sad?
Please give me the forum wisdom! xx

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Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

What is it about the "crisp consultant" moniker that appeals to you? On reading that, the image in my head was akin to the pic below (but perhaps that's because Americans don't habitually use "consultant" to refer to physicians).

Honestly, though, you are not the person who I worry about being too quick to toss things. If you're feeling like it's time to let go, it probably is. You have some beautiful replacements that you love.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Everything Jenn said.

Jenni, your style is evolving, which is fun in itself! So is the fact that you've worn both pairs of old boots INTO THE GROUND. These are complementary and satisfying feelings. Embrace, and edit out the old boots.

Moving on to the next green pasture

JAileen

Veteran

I absolutely adore the blue ones. I didn’t realize they were patent, and thought they could be polished. If you want your style to be crisp, they do not fit the bill. As my mother would say, you got your money’s worth. I would pass them along, and idly keep an eye out another pair that same color. It may take years, though.

Gigi

Veteran

I really love the black croc loafers!

I always like to be safe before I get rid of anything. What I would do is put them in an out-of-the-way place and see how I feel about them next boot season. If I still am feeling meh, then I would donate them.

I also occasionally keep an old pair of shoes to wear if the weather is icky and I'm worried about mud, so if that is the case for you maybe one of these pairs would be worth hanging on to.

Runcarla

Veteran

Sounds like one in/one out to me! (In other words, toss or donate the older pairs.)

Anonymous

Shoes are the hardest to toss, aren't they? How did you feel last time you wore the boots? If you felt bad wearing them cause the condition, and they're not fixable, I'd say let them go.
Saying this cause I just got rid of some shoes in poor condition, and the nearest (meaning an hour away...) cobbler closed up

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks all so far. Gigi, I like your solution best so far. I think this whole winter of not wearing the Steve Maddens probably means I will not miss them. The cobalt have been so special I might prefer to tuck them out of sight until next winter and see whether I miss them or have an urge.
I could take both off my lists of clothing and then if I did want them next winter they could always be added back in.
Suntiger, I think the scuffs are not fixable on patent, I already tried my leather conditioner without success, but if the boots are tucked away I could always take them one day if travelling to the other side of the city where I bought them.
J’Aileen, have already kept an eye out for that colour for 2 years with no luck.
Angie and Carla, thank you.
Jenn, I will muse on your question.

Anonymous

Jenni- you always strike me as clean , polished , neat and thoughtfully accessorized. Visibly worn boots that have seen better days are fine for tramping around on super casual hikes but you deserve better, and a more sophisticated look to boot ( pun sort of intended) Your replacements are great , and I vote letting the old boots go without looking back .

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Lisa I really so appreciate your compliments and kind words. I am certainly going to take them off the shoe shelves and may be brave enough to follow your, Angie’s and Carla’s advice. If not that brave, there is the Gigi/Suntiger plan

Minaminu

Veteran

Actually, it is possible to remove scuffs from patent leather. Try to rubb the scuff with a cotton ball with non acetone nail remover

Having sId that, I echo Jenn and Lisa, maybe it is time to let the old boots or demote them for muddy days.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Minaminu I have never heard of non-acetone nail polish remover! I asked my hubby who says he has seen some in the supermarket! Might be worth a try. I can always use the remover afterwards.

anchie

Veteran

I successfully removed scuffs from my white patent boots with eraser. If it is not
possible to remove them, I would let them go. Nothing ruins the outfit as much as scuffed and worn out shoes. I usually don’t notice people’s outfits but I always notice worn out shoes, especially if the rest of the outfit is nice and polished.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think it sounds like you’ve moved on from the old boots. The Maddens are a really fun knockoff of the classic Chloe studded boots, which I coveted for years. But these days I’m feeling more simple styles too, so I understand the shift completely. I say let go and embrace what speaks to you now. I’m about ready to edit some old footwear as well, mostly due to heel height, but I feel a bit of a shift too.

Liz

Veteran

I didn't notice the scuffs on the blue pair, but did notice that these poor shoes are worn and have lost their shape. That's a sign that you've worn and enjoyed them well. I'd vote with Lisap and Runcarla that it's time to move on, grateful and happy that you did get to wear them, and looking forward to what fun shoe finds you have waiting.

Bijou

Veteran

Jenni, you style appears to have changed to clean lines in luxe fabrics, a move from a bohemian lite style. Both of your older boots that have served you well have a bohemian vibe, so if you think you have had a style shift, my vote is to let them go and enjoy the new boots.

nemosmom

Veteran

It sounds like the boots have served you very well. It doesn't seem like the scuff that troubles you can be fixed, and if you feel like your style has truly shifted from them, you could let them go. This has been such a crazy year, though, so putting them away for a while is certainly a feasible option.

unfrumped

Veteran

I really like the Minx boots!

Maybe the style shift is to some kind of higher sophistication? Not that previous style was not. But maybe met polished, for the “ crisp”- small capsule of footwear in top condition?
You can always add more relaxed or “ sassy “ elements “ via other accessories , when in the mood.

ophelia

Veteran

I usually keep an old pair of in-season shoes in the car, so if I'm caught in a monsoon (we get those here), or suddenly find myself on a horse farm, I can avoid ruining another pair of shoes. I don't consider them part of my wardrobe though.
You've had them for a while & worn them a lot; I wouldn't have any qualms about moving on if it were me--and I really hang on to things.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Try to preserve the blue just in case. Need more information about Crisp Consultant because right now Sherlock Holmes is all that comes to mind .

Joy

Veteran

The sixties are much harder than the fifties. You have fewer good years left physical difficulties he,p you feel your age or older. Go slowly. Be picky. Wear your favorites all the time. Be sure you have outfits ready for unexpected weddings or funerals. If you have any twinges in back, shoulders or knees, your wardrobe may soon be affected., feet too. I like using your moniker as a guide.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Those pairs on the way out are fantastic. It occurs to me that heavily ornamented, attention-calling footwear still holds some appeal to you, given your response to the shoes I didn’t get last week. The newer ones all look more sober and calmed down.

I can’t remember what you’ve said about storage in the new house. If you keep the old ones, maybe start a “maybe”/nostalgia section that will be easy to clean out in a sweep if need be.

Btw, those pants, that whole outfit are wonderful.

ETA: I’ve read others’ comments now. You do indeed like pristine footwear, so maybe best not to keep these with the wearables. If you have the space, you could keep them for nostalgia. Joy’s comment emboldens me to say what I was thinking earlier: as you live and collect things in your new house, make sure your storage is organized in a way that will make it easy to go through things later on if you need to move to assisted living or after you pass. I don’t see any reason for Swedish death cleaning now—many of us like to have more things around than we absolutely must have to live—but it’s easier to set up a good system in the first place than to go back to sort and organize later.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am very late to this discussion but I am with Jenn and Angie -- you got more than your money's worth, had a wonderful time with the fun and beautiful old boots, treated them with the respect they deserve -- and now have some fabulous replacements that fit better with your evolving style. (I love the new green ones and the new loafers!!) So say goodbye and let them go. Or keep one pair in reserve for terrible weather if you must.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you to all the new commenters. I bought non-acetone nail polish remover today and tried it but no go.
I don’t have as many cobalt clothing items either now as two wore out since I bought those boots 5 years ago. The new Minx boots will be good with my new blue faux fur as “going” rather than exactly matching.
Thanks Anchie for the eraser idea, I tried that too but also no go.
Janet, I found out about the Chloe Susanna boots after I had bought the Steve Maddens! And agree they are clearly a knockoff, at about one tenth the price. I had fun with them for many years.
Joy and FashIntern, ageing is not much fun, and maybe I am a bit more subdued this year but am sure the fun part of me will come out to play again at some point. I did indeed like your proposed shoes FashIntern and was sorry they were sold out.
These are heading off the shoe shelves shortly to make space for a seasonal shift soon.

Staysfit

Veteran

Sounds like everyone else has given you sage advice. I like the new boots, and also think the new moniker is fun. I look forward to seeing how you incorporate new items as you shift your focus.

RobinF

Veteran

They are fun boots, I can see why you are reluctant to give them up. But the new ones are really nice too. Nothing wrong with a style shift!

DonnaF

Veteran

Accept that you will miss the cobalt boots, but that’s okay. Scuffs are at odds with their style, so they will always bug you. I would only hold onto them if you would wear them in inclement weather that would ruin other shoes.

Do the studded booties also show signs of wear? It’s hard to tell from the photo, at least on my ancient phone. This style accepts scuffing better than the other pair — but that’s really not YOUR style. Your new footwear is fabulous, and with all the wears the studded booties have given you, you don’t need to feel guilty about passing them on.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thanks Donna. I don’t think I am feeling guilty about either pair, as several Fabbers have said I have really had *more* than my money’s worth.
My fear was more being sad that they were gone, after they were gone. We are going away this weekend for the first time for 8 months and will be on a farm/in a cold area, so will take the Maddens for a last spin for that since it doesn’t matter if they get beat up. I will miss the blue, so have moved them off my shoe shelves in a bag now tucked at the back of the wardrobe as per Gigi’s plan. They are the wrong season to put in the clothing bin right now anyway so I can do that next autumn. By then I think I’ll be sure they don’t need a sudden last spin as well.
I will start wearing the new Minx boots!