Reconsidering a NAS purchase...Munro Robyns...help? - YouLookFab Forum

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Reconsidering a NAS purchase...Munro Robyns...help?

jackiec

Veteran

I'm having a dilemma here and wonder if you can help me. So I bought the black leather Munro Robyns during NAS and thought they would be the perfect black bootie for me given their high comfort. They got great reviews on the forum when I first brought them home and tried them out in the house here:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ns-arrived

Admittedly they are very comfy and seem versatile. I've officially worn them out of the house once - week before last - see photo 1 below.

The problem is that I keep having this niggly feeling that they are skewing a bit too conservative for my tastes - and I think it's two things 1) the angled cut in the front and 2) the more narrow heel.

My preference these days seems to be for a blockier heel and a higher shaft. My DV booties (pic 4) are what I almost always default to when in doubt (ok it probably has a lot to do with better hair bookending).

In a perfect world I would duplicate the DV booties in black suede and call it a wrap. Problem is I got them at Winners 2-3 years ago. I really like the look of Una's TopShops as well as some Sam Edelmans.

Question 1) Does Nordstrom take returns if the shoe has been worn exactly once?

Question 2) What are your thoughts (if you've made it this far) given what you've seen of my wardrobe? And as much as I love collecting booties, I'm trying to really be mindful of getting the best bang for my buck...plus comfort.

I'm crossing the border within the week so am thinking of packing the Munros up and sending them back. Guess that is always the peril of NAS when you pull the trigger in the summer and then don't actually wear the stuff till fall rolls around (as Suz eloquently describes here): http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-mistakes

Thanks in advance for getting through my novel.

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Sam Edelman 'Pacific' Wraparound Strap Bootie (Nordstrom Exclusive)(Women)

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33 replies

Latest reply was from jackiec

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I would not call them conservative but refined. They work really well with dresses and skirts - do you wear those at all?
On the other hand I also really like Topshop booties and would prefer them for my style if I had to choose.
Yes, Nordstrom will accept them back even if they were worn - I have returned several pairs like this without problem and this is the main reason I am a loyal customer there.

jackiec

Veteran

Thanks Sveta. As much as I try, I really don't wear skirts and dresses all that often. I was hoping for a bootie that would do double duty, but I really think a taller shaft (is that the right terminology) would work just fine. My DVs work well with skirts since they fit quite close to the ankle and don't gape.

Good to know the return policy is solid

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Jackie, I say life is too short if you are not psyched when you look at your boots. I also agree that you'd feel more harmonious in something that has a little edge to it. I don't know for sure, but I bet Nordies would take them back. I've seen the TopShops in the store and they are super cool looking. I'm thinking about ordering the whites and crossing fingers that they are wide enough, as Una indicated they were, knowing how unforgiving patent can be.

rabbit

Veteran

In your situation I would go with my gut. From what I've seen of your style, you seem very at home and look fab in more casual, minimalist, slightly RATE or slightly tomboy outfits. Especially for an expensive shoe, I'd want to feel great every time I wore it. I'd check and clean the soles of the shoes, but then return them if you were unsure. These look a little more refined, and a little less androgynous(?) than I associate with your everyday look, although of course they do look fine on you to my eye.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

There shouldn't be any trouble with returning them. I've found that the sales associates have started asking, "Did you wear them outside?" when I return shoes at Nordstrom. Once when I responded that I didn't, I asked why they asked; the person said that they just wanted to know, "because wouldn't you want to know if you were buying a pair of shoes, whether they had been worn outside?" Which I took to mean, possibly, that they send the worn-outside ones to the Rack and re-sell the others at the Nordstrom store if they can.

bj1111

Veteran

The topshop ones seem fashion forward, a direction you want to go. Una (alaskagirl) loves hers.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I love the look of the Munros but I am also conservative in my style choices. If you don't love them and don't feel comfortable wearing them, then you have your answer. Most of the fashion mistakes I've made over the years have been on items I had doubts about but bought anyway.

Get the ones you love instead and be happy.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Well, you know I love the Robyn's! But part of the reason is because of that "v" in the front, and I think that is more flattering to the leg with dresses and skirts... so fills a hole for me. But doesn't sound like that's something you need. I do wish the heel were a little heavier, but hey. I do have several pairs of booties and don't pretend to try to have one pair to cover lots of situations! I say if you are questioning them (and this is not the first time you've mentioned this) then they are not right for you. Do something about it while you can. Is it worth looking for the replacement first? I don't know how fussy your feet are...

Aubergine

Veteran

Coincidentally, I got the Sam Edelman ones you're considering at NAS and am actually reconsidering those! (Not because they're not great shoes, but because I'm not sure if I'm excited to wear them and I have enough other boots and booties that it's hard to justify new ones that aren't really calling to me.) I ordered a more full-on Chelsea style from J. Crew as a possible alternative and will probably post pictures once I try them on.

The Munros do look a little dressy and classic. They look really good on you, especially in the white jeans outfit and the black skirt outfit from the K/R thread, but I agree with Rabbit that they're maybe not the most "you" shoes ever. And, if you can return them and get another pair that does thrill you instead, why not?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well....the Munros look great and are comfortable.

Could you have a need for TWO pair of dark booties, perhaps?

I know you are trying to rationalize and reduce, but in our climate (even Vancouver has a long winter) a varied assortment of booties is a great thing.

I have a pair of refined black chelsea boots by Stuart Weitzman. These are quite classic with an almond toe.

And I also have a pair of ink blue booties from Zara that are a bit more fashion forward.

And I wear and love both of these.

Just sayin.'

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Do you wear other black shoes? Are you sure you want black? Just wondering if it's truly the style or if another black pair will also not be worn as much. Either way if you don't love them, I'd return them.

I don't wear my black booties nearly as much as the cognac and have steered away from buying black shoes for the most part, but I do have two black jackets that I sometimes bookend with them. If I had it to do over I would not have bought those jackets in black (I really prefer navy/deep charcoal/ink/taupe) and would have chosen ink/navy booties or a deep taupe-gray for fall/winter. That said, I agree that the other styles are probably more suited to your style.

Anonymous

Jackie, I knew exactly what you were going to say before I even finished reading your whole post. I have exactly the same visual response to these boots. Like you, I know lots of members have them and love them , and I even admire them in pictures thinking I should try a pair, but I just can't. I think you're right in feeling they are a little too conservative and , I don't know what word i want here, but....for your look. I can relate as I think you and I share a like for similar looks. Anyways, they are not exactly inexpensive either , so I vote cleaning up the sole and returning them. *gets kicked off the forum for not "feeling" Munro boots*

jackiec

Veteran

Thank you for all of the good advice!

I'm leaning towards return, as much as they are comfy. I do have a super flat pair of black Chelseas with little gold studs that I bought the year before in Paris. The problem with those is that they are a bit too flat, if you know what I mean. However the sentimental factor will keep them in my closet for awhile longer. I tend to default to tall black boots in the winter when I need the black on the bottom. I think I'll still watch out for a more fashion forward boot.

Actually it's true that I don't reach for black shoes/booties nearly as often as the lighter ones. I'd assume it's my colouring and I'm finally figuring that out. I fact, I should probably be cutting the black down in my wardrobe and leaning more towards ink as many of you have. Black is just so easy!!!

Advice much much appreciated

Neel

Veteran

I am in love with those Munros. Sleek and edgy in my world (edgier than the top shop booties!) The v front actually feels like it adds more structure to an outfit with pants. BUT, if you don't love them .... Then I see no reason why you shouldn't exchange

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't think conservative is the right word. Dressy, Refined and Arty, perhaps? And although you wear the Munros really well, I do think you're probably after a tougher and more casual bootie, Jackie. I vote return too, especially since you don't wear skirts and dresses. You need a chunkier look. I made some suggestions below.

The ones Una has from Topshop aren't nearly as comfy but they are the right aesthetic. I am thinking about keeping them in the white - but I am not convinced about their comfort factor yet. I run around a lot in my line of work, and make no compromises for my feet. xo

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Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'm not sure if I love or hate you guys. I'm following this thread, feeling less and less in love for my Robyn's, because, well, I love Jackie's style, and I want to be just like her when I grow up (which is very difficult given we look good in totally different colours, not to mention have totally different bodies) so if she needs something tougher, maybe I do too... but the truth is that that V is VERY flattering and my bootie need was for ones to wear with skirts, so I should be fine. Then Angie says the aren't conservative after all, and I feel better. I can be dressy refined and arty.

And then....

Angie posts a pic of the SE Petty's, in FREAKING SILVER METALLIC.

How quickly can one invent a hole then fill it? Seriously, with my hair, and my colour palette, these are MY neutral. And I know they fit, because I was going ot get them before the Robyn's entered my viewplane.

Guess what website is next?

(Sorry for the segue Jackie )

jackiec

Veteran

Angie, you are correct - conservative is the wrong word. Thanks for the correction!

I appreciate the suggestions! Will check them out!

jackiec

Veteran

Cross posted with you Elizabeth! Haha you are hilarious!!! I really do think the munros are great with skirts, the reality is that I rarely wear them.

Aren't those metallic pettys awesome? I thought the same thing!!! I was considering the cognac ones before I picked up the aldos.

Here I was trying for a sort of austerity October (ha!) but I suppose a return is money in the pocket?.....

Elizabeth P

Veteran

They don't have my size :(. But I was able to join a waitlist, I hope that means something... Can't find them anywhere else...

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, so I kind of see what you mean. Last winter I bought a pair of sleek low-heeled booties with the v-shaped front (see the picture below) and have found them very useful. However, I did consider the Robyn briefly but decided not to even try them for two reasons: I found the toe a little too rounded (not round exactly, but lacking sharp angles), which I thought reduced the dressy factor, and I really dislike center front seams on things (which is admittedly more of a personal poison eye, but I do think they also make things look less sharp/edgy). The pair I ended up with (by Everybody, it's not available any more though) has a more almond shaped toe and asymmetrical seaming, both of which I think make it look sleeker. Somehow to me the Robyns never appealed to me (except for the comfort thing) because they just look a little too rounded and not sharp enough.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that the Robyns seem a little bit neither here nor there for me as well. Like, not tough/stompy enough to be a true casual boot but also not refined enough for dressy things.

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Anonymous

Something about the curves on these Robyns doesn't jibe with your style, IMO. I vote return too, with zero guilt. You probably won't wear them much if you keep them.

If you use girl math, you can totally spend your return money (and even augment it a bit to get exactly what you want) on a new pair of booties.

ETA: @Diana, see? Great minds think alike, and at the same time, apparently!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Oh, dear, I can identify, Elizabeth. I tried the Sam Edelman Petty in black, when I ended up buying the Munro Lexie recently. The metallic sure looks tempting to me, too.

Jackie, I'm with you on the love/hate relationship with black. It's so easy, because it's everywhere! I like my taupe and metallic shoes so much more than my black ones. And yet, I do wear black quite a lot. It's still quite useful!

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Update: the Topshop booties are going back. Not comfortable.

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catgirl

Veteran

I was just going to say that the Topshop boots have been EXTREMELY comfortable for me - they seem to have gotten more so at my now 5th all day wearing. Short, wide, high volume feet checking in here.

I get exactly what is just a little off for your style with these boots - they skew a tiny bit "sensible" without a masculine vibe to give them edge. I've loved them on forum members but can see why you might not love them for yourself.

Aida

Veteran

Looks like you've already gotten good advice re the style, so I just wanted to add that I wouldn't own these booties for my style and we have similar style tastes... and my casual style is more refined than yours! But I totally adore the metallic SE and the "Jacky" with the cutout heel that Angie linked. Sounds like you've got some leads to follow up on

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I totally get what you're saying. I bought a pair of Ara booties, oh, maybe two years ago? that have this same type of cut, because I was enamoured of the silver metallic finish. (The pic below in my Finds is the style but a different color) Well, then my husband bought me the gunmetal Rag & Bone Newburys and the Aras languished because they look more "refined" and the R&B's skew more "rock'n'roll". Fortunately, I had gotten the Aras on sale, so not a huge investment.

However, I've found there is a place for both in my wardrobe. The Aras are really, really comfortable, and their slightly pointier toes look good with my bootcuts. The lower heel is welcome sometimes. But I don't ever reach for them to wear with BF jeans or anything that I'm rolling or cuffing -- the vibe just isn't right.

So if you have other ways you'd wear these, maybe they're worth keeping. Otherwise, I'd try to return while they're still relatively new.

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Mia

Veteran

I can so relate to your dilemma Jackie. I had a pair of Tsubo booties a little like your Munro's when the ankle boot really hit the mainstream and I never felt right in them. My style doesn't have much of any "arty" and things with a lot of curves lines never seem to work. I have been looking for years for right "run around" bootie. I bought a pair of Paul Green that are so comfy but they are suede and brown and I need black to bookend my hair with most outfits.

I brought home the Alexander Wang with the cutout in the heel and it didn't seem to fit in my wardrobe either and returned them for a pair of Stuart Weitzman pointed toe kinda mod booties that are too refined and dressy for my not imaginary life and then this morning at Park Royal J. Crew I tried on a pair of black ankle boots with two zips (similar to the SE you have shown) just to have something to try on with the clothes. Voila!! They were so comfy and just that little edgy casual touch with the zippers. They work perfectly with the Minnie pants and jeans I live in most of the time. They were also on sale.....

J. Crew footwear doesn't usually fit me either so obviously the stars were aligned. Bottom line.....keep looking until you find it. Don't settle. Best of luck and if you want more info on the J Crew boot let me know.

jackiec

Veteran

Hey Mia - Park Royal J.Crew?! Hmmm you've tweaked my interest! I've been surfing around online but really don't have the patience for ordering, waiting, trying, returning. I found these Aldo's online that I may try on in the next few days http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca/en.....3523721-97

Your entire write-up seems so "me." I am intrigued by the boots. Can you send me a pic or tell me the name? I hit up Park Royal every once in awhile but have yet to go into the J.Crew.

Love to see your booties. Thanks for your input.

Really appreciate everyone's help. I've wrapped up the Munros. Almost made a run for the border tonight but someone's gotta feed the family... When I've made up my mind to return, I like to do it ASAP.

**coming back to say I think I see the JCrew ones online, but are the zips gold? that might be a deal-breaker for me. I have so much silver toned hardware....

Mia

Veteran

They are the Remi double zip and I found them true to size. The zips are gold tone and I wear almost exclusively white gold or silver but it isn't a very yellow gold and they are not too chunky so I didn't hesitate. Actually they were not on sale after all (Oops!) but at $258 for leather in and out and rubber sole for the Vancouver rain I think they are great value. Much better quality than the Sam Edelmans I have seen. Aldo has such on trend stuff but my son's shoes fell apart very quickly. Hopefully they have stock left in the Remi, they said they have been very popular.

A lot of the other things were on sale. I bought my entire Fall run around wardrobe update today with the help of SA Debbie who was fab. I was there about 10:30 am and the store was blissfully quiet. I actually don't like shopping so getting a jacket, jeans, pants, boots, two tops and two sweaters in one swoop was like winning a lottery or something.

I really need to get savvy with the links/photos soon

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