I have been on a quest for an ink/navy ankle boot with a bit of a heel (1.5" would be ideal, but I'm open to anything over 1" and under 2") for what seems like forever. I'd even settle for a different colour (pewter? Burgundy?) if everything else about them was perfect.

The photos below (which I lightened significantly so hopefully the colours are visible and not just a black blob) are Sam Edelman Petty knock-offs; they really look almost identical to SEs, which I've also tried on but in black, not navy suede. Technically these boots meet all my requirements -- colour, heel, relatively comfortable, not too pointy. But gosh they just feel so boring and not me.

Is this just me? Or has this style reached a point of oversaturation (it seems to have been everyone's go-to for a number of years)? Something about the Cuban-ish heel, the side zip, the almond toe -- it all feels so uninspired. I want these primarily to wear under my wide-leg plaid trousers (in Finds), and they look fine in that capacity as they barely show, but I don't imagine I'd ever choose to wear them with a dress where they're on display. I would absolutely choose my moto boots or my oxfords most of the time, but those options are both less "dressy" for sure.

Anyway, what do y'all think of these? And, perhaps more importantly, ideas for edgier/funkier boots, but more refined than a Frye Moto boot, in ink/navy, with a 1.5" heel?