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NAS bootie deliberation

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

Slowly but surely I am getting sucked into the NAS vortex. For most items I am considering I have some clarity on what I want/need, but I like the idea of picking one pair of booties that would diversify my admittedly largish existing collection. (What can I say, I love shoes!)

My current bootie collection includes combat or bikeresque styles. So I am looking for something that would add some dimension, while sticking with comfortable heel heights. I also want to wear them with both skinny jeans and fuller/boot cut jeans. I've narrowed it down to these three:

Munro Drew:
I have no prior experience with this brand, so I don't know what to expect in terms of fit. My other concerns:
1. Suede. I live where it's hot most of the year. Suede seems like a cold weather material, which to me limits when I think I could wear these. Is this how most feel or is this not a real limitation anymore?
2. This wedge style has been around for a few years now. Still going strong, or on its way out?

Born Adia:
The brown leather is lovely! Born sometimes fits me and is sometimes too loose. Other concerns:
1. Would this style look okay with skinny jeans? Or is the top of the boot meant to be covered by a pant leg?
2. This boot also comes in a burgundy, which is lovely, but I'm not sure it would be as versatile as the brown. I feel like I could wear brown boots with anything I could wear burgundy boots with, but not vice versa. Am I just short on vision?

Dansko Meena:
This one is probably closest to my typical fare. I have a lot of Dansko shoes, but no boots, though. Because it laces, it is likely to work for width. Other concerns:
1. Not sure how the stiff Dansko sole translates to a bootie. My other Danskos are comfortable because the heel can slip a bit, but I'm not sure that would work well in a boot.
2. Is this style kinda dated or evergreen? I'm not sure I can judge.

Any other criteria I should be considering? Unlike other clothing, shoes have an annoying habit of fitting me provided I can find my size. So I don't want to order all three to try -- I might be tempted to keep them all if they all fit!

Munro 'Drew' Water Resistant Wedge Bootie (Women)

$224.95 $112.47

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Børn 'Adia' Block Heel Bootie (Women)

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Dansko 'Meena' Lace-Up Bootie (Women)

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Runs With Scissors

Traci

Veteran

I got these and I'm completely smitten!

PIKOLINOS 'Andorra' Water Resistant Boot (Women)

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Runs With Scissors

Veteran

I loved those too but showed my husband and he took an instant dislike. He doesn't object to much (nor forbid me from getting stuff he doesn't like) but I do like him to like what I wear (or at least not hate it -- he has more traditional tastes than I) so I decided to pass them by.

Not sure he loves any bootie -- I suspect he'd rather I just wore ballet flats all the time. LOL.

Traci

Veteran

I like the Born's best because I'd wear those with both bare and covered legs. I don't like to wear darker booties with a bare leg. They all look to have the potential to be super comfortable. Some people are wild for the comfort of Munro. I have a wedge bootie from them I just feel meh about.

Mochi

Veteran

To me it's the Born by a long shot, for looks and versatility. And their quality is great.

Thistle

Veteran

I love my Munro suede booties, BUT I live in a cold climate. They work for 8 months a year. I would say these are probably out for you.

Of the remaining ones, I like the Born the best. The heel looks more comfy, and I hate laces. I know, what a criteria, but I feel like laces are so messy and I prefer sleek. But that's just me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think the Munro is a Top Pick. But really, you need to think of what works for your lifestyle, etc. I wouldn't rule out suede for warmer weather. But the colour makes a difference. My old Report booties were a light taupe suede -- a great warm weather bootie. But they had a special lining to be worn without socks. Though frankly, as someone who lives in a cold weather climate and who has to wear boots or booties for a good 7 to 8 months a year, I don't really understand the point of "warm-weather" booties.

RobinF

Veteran

How would skinny jeans stay tucked into any of these? I have a terrible time getting jeans to stay in even taller boots, maybe that will be a discussion for the fall. I love a wedge but also wonder if they are getting a little dated. The Borns are my favorite, I like the buckle and chunky but not too chunky heel. So fun, I love boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo, Traci

PIKOLINOS 'Andorra' Water Resistant Boot (Women)

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10

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What I prefer about the Pikolinos is the cleaner lines and the simplicity of the shaft. It makes them easier to wear with a variety of pant types and with skirts (if desired).

Jules

Veteran

I don't know if suede is necessarily a cold weather fabric, desert boots are suede and worn... in the desert, I presume? Not sure
But those black suede booties do read more wintry to me. It sounds like you already wear plenty of boots/booties in your climate, but I think combat/moto/western styling make sense for that, because they are based on "functional" styles with details we expect to see in different climates. Light coloured, perforated suede booties can look warm weather. So I don't think it's the suede so much as other design details...

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

If you were going for a more wintry look, I'd suggest the Munros. I like the Born, in brown, for all-around versatility. Yes, they would look fantastic with skinnies. You can slouch the leg down into the boot in colder weather, or roll the hem to show a little skin above the boot top. They'll be cute with skirts, too, with or without tights.

ClaraT

Veteran

I love love love Borns. That said, this bootie has a bit of a Western vibe to me (which I like, but it is something to be aware of). I have the Born Kerri (also available in black) with the same vibe and have worn them (with a padded insert) all over the place.
TL/DR: Another vote for the Borns.

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Elle

Veteran

From what you've said, it sounds like the Borns in brown would get used the most. And I think they would work with skinny jeans. Burgundy can be a neutral but not necessarily - some shades are very limiting.

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

Ah, this is all very helpful! The Borns are in, and the Danskos are definitely out. Strangely I am not quite ready to dismiss the Munros ... perhaps seeing them on others will help? (Hint-hint for those who already ordered them!) It does occur to me that they could replace my only other pair of suede shoes -- some Indigo by Clarks lace up booties with 3 inch heels that I pair with my black opaque wool tights in Winter. I'm trying to keep heels at 2 inches and below now due to bad knees.

Incidentally, I find watching the videos Zappos makes very helpful in evaluating shoes. I found a video for the Pikolinos (but not the other styles -- I am actually surprised I found any of them since NAS is giving us early access to these styles). I mentioned my husband had a very negative response to the Pikolinos, but that I liked them. After watching the video, I was surprised to find that I actually didn't like the movement of the tassel -- this is one of the things I thought I would like the most! But somehow when I saw it, I instantly knew it was not "me".

As for the Borns, the "cowboy" vibe is one of the things that draw me to them I think. I have been thinking about getting cowboy boots (after 20+ years in Texas, maybe I am ready to be just a little bit Texan, lol) and the Borns seem like a nice nod to this. Still might go for actual cowboy boots someday, but for now this makes more sense. Maybe it will be my cowboy boots "gateway drug".

The video of the Pikolinos is here, for anyone who is curious.
http://www.zappos.com/pikolino.....553-brandy

And one more strike against the Pikolinos (for my particular life) -- Extra Spicy Dog would be on those tassels in moments so I couldn't wear them in the house at all!

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Anonymous

RWS - I thought the same about my cat.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

Are the Born's going to give you the dimension to your shoe wardrobe you mentioned you want? They read "biker lite" to me. What is another aspect of your style you'd like to expand on?

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

lol delurked -- we joke that my dog is part cat. She plays more like a cat than a dog -- batting things, doing a crouching sneak up to the other dog, etc.

Dana - you make a good point, and I stopped to reconsider. Most of my boots are black, and my few brown ones are quite different in color and style. Also, virtually all my boots have an aggressively round toe. The pointier toe feels different, and takes the styling towards western and away from biker. Agreed, not worlds apart, but different enough I think. And they make me smile, ya know?

I agree the Munro booties are more different than what I have-- I have no wedge heels at all, and my only suede booties (now that I've even remembered they exist) are no longer a best fit for my needs, and are kind of dated -- probably 5 years old now.

When I think about what I don't want, it actually eliminates quite a bit. I'm pretty casual overall, so nothing super dressy. I would not mind something that "elevates" my typical jeans look, but that seems to point at sleek styles my husband dislikes (and I don't mind passing over -- they tend to do my big feet no favors). My knees rule out higher heels. Maybe I am not ready for radical change, just incremental change.

Maybe I should stop musing because I am just talking myself into two pairs of boots ...