Oh boo -- the Manlows are flower pots on me ETA PICS - YouLookFab Forum

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Oh boo -- the Manlows are flower pots on me ETA PICS

April

Veteran

When I got home last night, the Manlow booties were here and I was so excited! But alas, I think they need to go back due to the dreaded FPE (Flower Pot Effect).

People in the reviews were complaining that they were hard to put on, but I had no difficulty with this, perhaps due to the FPE factor. I thought they slipped on just fine.

I also didn't notice that they were overly big. I had ordered my typical size (7) and it seemed fine, except for the large gape at the ankle.

I will say that the footbed is not particularly padded, so if I kept these I would definitely be putting in an insert. I usually do this with all shoes, though.

Very disappointed because I love the look of these.

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22 replies

Latest reply was from April

donnat

Veteran

Very disappointing. They are gorgeous boots.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Those are gorgeous, April.

They look to me like a bootie designed more for pants than for wearing with skirts. I don't mind the gaping as much in that situation -- it's mainly with skirts and dresses (or cropped pants) that I find it troublesome. Were you hoping to wear with dresses?

April

Veteran

I was hoping they could work for all situations, Suz, but that's a good point. I'll keep it in mind when I give them a final try-on.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wonder whether we can see them on, April?

viva

Veteran

I'm with Suz that ankle gape is more a problem for me with skirts and dresses. But it also depends on the bootie style, I think. It's hard for me to judge without seeing an actual picture, so if you're comfortable posting one of your feet it would be great. If not, I'll just hope these work for you ultimately. They are so gorgeous!!

April

Veteran

Okay, here's the effect.

FP, right?

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Isis

Veteran

Can you tighten them one more notch?

Eliza

Veteran

Gorgeous boots. Would you ever wear them with pants? I have this kind of ankle fit issue and like Suz, am more flexible about it for the ones to use with pants. Otherwise I'd have one pair of booties and in my climate, that would not work. Best with the decision.

JAileen

Veteran

Looking straight down they do look big, but from the side they don't. If you 're not happy, you shouldn't keep them. Too bad, they're really cute.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I hate when that happens, and I hate how that feels on my leg. My sympathies!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, this is good to know for us slim legged lasses. I'm still on a bootie hunt. Do you happen to know the circumference around? I'm eyeing a couple pair with 5" shafts that are supposedly 9.5" and 10.5" around. Sounds like the approx width of skinnies leg openings, so they should work out in theory.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

(Thanks for the pics, April). Yup. You are right. Still a tad wide for skirts and dresses. Is wearing them with straight legs an option?

viva

Veteran

Looking down really distorts them! (No one but you will see them that way -- important to remember!) I might possibly wear them with skirts or dresses, but I see what you mean; they are a bit gapey ... but so beautiful. I think they could still work well with pants.

cciele

Veteran

Oh, those are such nice booties -- too bad about the FPE. I think amount of gap is a personal preference thing, but these do look a bit wide for shorts and skirts

Thistle

Veteran

I would say return them. They are gorgeous, and they are on my list! But shoes at that price point should be versatile, IMHO. I would want the ankle more fitted.

April

Veteran

Thank you all for your input and commiseration. I think these will go back, as much as I adore the way they look. I really need them to work with skirts or pants.

@Mo, I measured with them standing "at rest" in the box, going around the outside of the ankle opening, and they were 10".

@Isis -- the buckle strap sort of rests lightly and decoratively around the ankle portion, so tightening doesn't effectively change the width.

For anyone else dealing with the skinny ankle bootie conundrum, I have been really wearing the heck out of my Born Trishas: http://www.zappos.com/born-trisha-black-full-grain

Gigi

Veteran

So sorry, April! I recently ordered a pair of booties that also gave me the dreaded FPE. I already had a pair of booties for wearing with jeans, so I wanted this pair to work with skirts also. So I sent mine back too. WAHHH!

I think we have to look for booties that are more like shooties, cut down right at the ankle. And even those are hard to find without gapping. My only successful pair was a Vince Camuto, but it was a dressy shootie, with a 3-inch narrow heel. So not something for charging around town in for hours and hours.

I wonder if Born would have other styles that have a similar cut to your Trishas?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yup. I see the issue. It is to do with scale.

What a pity. They look like beautiful booties.

So...how about a Chelsea style similar to the ones Diane recently bought? With elastic panels. I have some Stuart Weitzmans like that, and they fit pretty nicely around the ankle as a result. These are the boots, except mine are black -- no longer available from what I can tell, alas.

Another option is a bootie that doesn't really go up around the ankle, like these Aras that Vix and Shannon own. They come down in a sort of V shaped opening.

Or a bootie with neoprene like the ink blue ones from Zara that Angie has. Even those ones are a little loose around my ankle, but not so much that it's ridiculous looking.

April

Veteran

Very helpful suggestions, Suz -- thanks!

I do think the lower cut is the way to go.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Too bad...they are beautiful boots. I struggle with this trend too...fellow skinny ankle sufferer here...

Lisa

Veteran

I have also been struggling with slimmer fit booties. All of mine do not fit with a straight leg jean OVER the boot. I just picked up these from Rockport but am waiting til we have no salt on the ground to take them out.

April

Veteran

Lisa, do those Rockports fit close to the leg? Yeah, the salt is a serious mess.

That's the second pair of booties from Rockport that I have been interested in this week. Really -- Rockport? I'm being completely humbled from my typical view of their shoes, which have been described by my flyboy teen as "mall walkers." Owe you an apology, Rockport!