NAS question: Black short boots

I’m considering getting a pair of short black boots at NAS.
I haven’t tried any of these in person and am not sure I have the stamina for
another in-person NAS appointment (last week’s only covered clothes and a few
accessories and I was pretty wiped after the 2 hours ;-)) so I’m thinking of
ordering online. I haven’t really owned short boots like these in forever, and I’m very sensitive to having relatively
large feet in proportion to my height (size 9, at 5’4”), and I kind of like to
accentuate my ankles and calves, so this is not a familiar look for me at all.
I don’t want anything too clunky. Funky is good, clunky is not. E.g. I don’t
want them to gap a lot at the top, and I don’t want a lot of “extra shoe” in
terms of extra wide seaming or soles that go beyond the shoe itself (not sure I’m
making sense?) So basically, I’m looking for “refined ruggedness”, and I plan
to pair these shoes with dresses and skirts, not pants.

Has anyone seen/tried these and can comment on which ones
might fit my criteria better than others by any chance??

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/st.....ot/3460656

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/st.....ot/3571225

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fr.....ot/3293706

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bo.....or/3549529

(And maybe there are others I should consider?)

THANKS tons!

Antje

12 years ago

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Hi Antje,

Always fun to see you post!

I don't know if you like quilting, but the first pair of boots I thought of when I read your description, are the quilted Aquatalia's in Angie's blog post today:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/aq.....ner&c

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Antje, I'm at the flagship preselecting with a client right now but I will get to your questions tonight.

Okay!! I had a moment to have a quick look! The Fryes, Steve Maddens and Borns are on my top picks list! The Borns fold over in animal print. So cute! And extremely comfy. Personally I like those best. Xo

Sylvie

Veteran

The Fryes are great! I have the almost identical shoe from last year in a grey.

Diana

Antje, I love all your picks! (Unsurprising, as I own boots that look very similar to 1, 3, and 4). I'd say if you're going for a sleeker look to emphasize slim ankles, an unadorned lace-up style like #4 is your best bet.

Angie, I didn't know the Borns folded over! That's tempting... but I really don't need more mid-calf boots.

Anonymous

Check out the question (next to review) on Nordstrom's website - shows more pictures of the boot. Cute cute cute!

ETA I meant to say for the Born boots

rachylou

Uh, why are these boots out this year when I was looking for them last year?

I think maybe a lace-up for a rugged but refined look with dresses.

Thank you all! I like the thinking regarding the lace-ups being a bit more refined. I'll order the Born for sure and maybe the SM as well.

Parsley

The only thing about the Born boots is that they don't have a zipper, so that have to be laced up each time. I don't know about you, but I find that a real pain in the neck. I like lace-up boots that also have a zipper for easy on and off.

Makrame

I like your picks! I ordered these http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/co.....ot/3294250 but have not received them yet so cannot comment on comfort.

Glory

All great picks and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Parsley has a good point about having to lace up each time which is something to consider. I would try both and see which you like best. Would love to hear your opinion as short boots are on my list for the fall. They were last year too but I ended up getting brown and returned them because I could not reconcile brown into my wardrobe.

Sveta

Antje, I had Steve Madden combat boots from 2 years ago and was not really impressed with the quality. No traction on the sole, sole is not stitched but glued and leaking water. I think that they were really out priced for the quality. They also were dead after my Portugal trip because tthey could not take the water well. I am attaching the picture. I am sworn against SM shoes now, just don't trust them anymore!
For the same price Born is much better IMO - and Fryes must be good too!
I also ordered Fryes and Born, hopefully one of them fits!

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Ok, so I decided to just stop by the store instead of waiting for an online order (after confirming that I didn't actually need a formal appointment for the NAS browsing). Short story: I got the Borns.

I tried on the Born, the Fryes, and the zippered Steve Madden. Loved the look of the Steve Madden but decided against them in the end since I thought they were just a little too rugged. Did not like the Fryes at all - too clunky for this quest. Loved the feel of the Born, they are super duper comfortable. I do find the lack of a zipper highly annoying (I take my shoes off a lot, and am quite impatient, so this seems like a detail that'll quickly become a drag, just as someone pointed out above.) They do look much more refined than the others. I'm still a little unsure about the look but it might be just that it's unfamiliar to me. I took them home and will try them on with some of my dresses and skirts to see them in action before fully committing. I'll have to really love them, otherwise they go back!

(Oh, and I do love that the lining is animal print, but I'm not sure I'd actually wear them in that way, it seemed too gappy at the ankle to wear folded down with skirts.)

Thanks again for all the great comments!

Transcona Shannon

Love the look of the Borns and am excited to see them on you all styled up!

Suz

Can't wait to see these on you, Antje. I am debating whether to order them as well.

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