Rethinking the Blondos - YouLookFab Forum

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Rethinking the Blondos

pil

Veteran

As much as I love the Blondos, I'm rethinking them after a wrestling session struggling to get them on and off UNDER a pair of skinny jeans that aren't majorly skinny. Though I'm not in the habit of tucking pants into boots I thought these would afford that option of tucked or untucked along with being refined enough to wear with a dress or skirt. Kind of an all purpose boot.

Now I'm wondering if a midcalf boot would be better for pants?

My wants are:
1. Fairly weather/water proof to withstand car to destination snow and sleet
2. Not too heavy or chunky
3. Leather
4. Heel 2" or less
5. Under $200. The Blondos at about $180 are much more than I've ever paid for a pair of boots or shoes.
6. For wear over or under pants.

Photo 1 is the Blondos.

Photo 2 the closest thing I have to a midcalf – for reference. The Anyi Lu's that I won, with the pants that barely squeeze over the Blondos. These boots are suede so I don't wear them in inclement weather, though I have treated them.

Photo 3 is my current boot inventory.

Do you have any recommendations for brands and/or styles? I do wonder if a midcalf boot is going to, in the YLF vernacular, stumpify my legs.

Sorry this is so rambling, I'm pressuring myself to make a decision. Thanks for any suggestions or wisdom you might be able to share.

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15 replies

Latest reply was from pil

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Will the Blondos ease up and stretch at all, Pil? Maybe someone who already has them can weigh in, although this year's style is different from last year's. I am really wondering why they made that decision to create the non stretch top, because I'll bet it is the thing that makes the calf more fiddly to fit. So odd.

I hope someone else will weigh in here soon. I do think a mid-calf boot can be great but it does have the potential to stumpify more than a knee high, IMO. It's not an impossible idea, but one that might come with some risks, depending on leg shape, skirt shape, contrast level between hose or pants and boot, etc.

Glory

Veteran

Your statement that you had to wrestle them is kind of telling. Perhaps they will loosen up but that just might be a deal breaker. I think for the investment you want something you are very sure about.
I have the Veronica Frye boots but would not classify them as winter boots - at least not for my winters. They also might be too clunky for you - but I simply love them.
For true winter I have a pair of tall Pajar boots - leather and fur lined. Similar to these. I am in serious winter with these ones tho.

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ClaraT

Veteran

Re: mid-sized boots (and stumpifying): Diane posted lots of great photos in this thread: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ht-booties. I think her formula of tights-matching-boot color is key to making sure the effect is less stumpy, so to speak: single color, interesting textures (with the mid-boot).

I like my tall boots to fit close to the calf, so my tall boots that work with skirts/dresses do not work with skinny jeans (tucked in or out) and vice-verse. If you want a pair of boots that you can wear with jeans tucked in, I think there will be a gap with tights (which might look fine; it just depends on your preference). Your tall black boots are refined and perfect for dresses/skirts, right? (but maybe not waterproof as you note in (1) )? Are you looking for a more casual option to those or for a dressier option to your tall browns?

At $180, you do not want to settle. I know Zappos lets you search by price, shaft height, heel height, and circumference, so while I don't have specific suggestions, that might help you ID brands (although since is it still July, not sure what the inventory is like).

ironkurtin

Veteran

Bootjacks! I have to get one myself.

kellygirl

Veteran

I think mid-calf boots are fab especially when low contrast with pants. I love the Anyi Lu's on you. I tend to wear mid-calf more than tall because they are so much easier for me to wear tucked. I don't think I could stand it if I had to wrestle a boot on and get the pant leg situated properly! I think the Blondos look fab on you but if they are that hard to get on, I don't know that I would keep them. There are lots of boots out there in the $200 range--so I wouldn't settle. I'll keep an eye out for you.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

They look really good, but you already have a nice selection of boots- don't settle for anything less than makes you really happy.... the Fall/Winter season ones are just now peeking out- keep the faith!

Jeanie

Veteran

I would pass if you have to wrestle them. I have a pair of 1 inch J Crew riding boots that fit under straight leg jeans and over skinnies (but I don't like my legs w/ the tucked in looked). Keep looking....there will be more options as we approach fall.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

If they are hard to put on then you will probably not reach for them imo.

peekaboo

Another plug for the Frye Veronicas...I have them in brown and I wore them all last winter in sleet and snow, etc., and they held up great. They are a little less tall than most tall boots (I think like 13" shaft?) and they come in wide calf too. Very comfy and they heel doesn't slip (on me) unlike some Frye styles.

Isabel

Veteran

I totally agree with Biscuit's mom. You have a really nice selection of boots. And you deserve not to settle. I don't know if Clark's makes waterproof boots, I think that they do. They are my favorite boot brand.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Just took my back on Saturday, Pil. It was the band at the top that was just too snug to wear over pants. They are beautiful, though, aren't they?

I find I must have a higher calf than most --- I need a little more room from mid to upper calf. Some boots have gussets at the top, which prevent gapping, but add give. You might look for those in a tall boot!

Diana

Veteran

Honestly? I don't like the look of any boots higher than ankle height under skinny or slim straight pants. I feel like they always have this weird elephant leg effect of making the lower calf/ankle look super straight and thick, whereas the whole point of skinnies is to show a bit of the shape of the leg, KWIM?

My midcalf boots are fine under bootcuts but I don't wear them under straights or skinnies for the aforementioned elephant leg reason. I do wear them with cuffed BFs though, where the cuff goes maybe an inch or so over the top of the boot.

I guess this is my way of saying I don't think you can have it all in one shoe. I think you need booties to go under the skinnies, and taller ones (either midcalf or knee high) to go over them. Just my 2 cents.

ETA: I love love love midcalf boots. They are my favorites, and I don't think they have to be stumpifying at all. The trick is you have to find the sweet spot on your leg where they hit. You have to try on several different shaft heights to find it.

pil

Veteran

Thank you everyone for your help, I knew the brain trust would come through
My iPad just ran out of battery and my iPhone is too hard to post much of a detailed response with. I didn't want you to think I asked for help and didn't appreciate it - "I'll be back" when the iPad is good to go!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think you should keep them. I like how they looked with pants tucked in to them, and you don't have anything else like them in your closet. Since wearing skinnies tucked into boots is kind of common thing I'm curious why you say you're "not the habit" of wearing boots like this. Is this a preferance? It looks like you've already got some options for wearing untucked pants with boots. These will look super with tucked pants and skirts, so I say keep.

pil

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the thought you have put into your responses.

Jenava, you ask a good question that is cause for pondering. Now that you mention it I haven't worn pants tucked into boots because I haven't had skinnies - Doh - lightbulb moment! Well, also because I have felt that I am too big to sport that look *and* I would look foolish because of my age. My boot cuts are too bulky for tucking, but the Blondos fit UNDER them with NO struggle at all. The beauty of the boot will be hidden that way, but I would still have the benefit of the comfort and function. Also, my bootcuts are close to PPL with the Blondos So, if skinnies are on the docket for the day they can be tucked or worn with another pair of boots. You now have me leaning back toward keep. They *would* look good with one of the Vince Camuto midi skirts

@Suz, the tightness was fitting under the skinnies but, yes, some give would make the fit that much better.
@Glory, I have not seen the Fryes in person but in pictures they are a little chunkier than I think I want. My true snow boots are the short, lace ups in the front left of the boots picture. I wouldn't mind a taller pair of real snow boots for heavier snowfalls.
@Clara, I think you are right that I'm not going to find an all in one boot. I'm looking for an everyday boot for fall and winter.
@IK, bootjacks - I never knew the official name!
@Kellygirl, you always look terrific with your boots. I'm jealous
@biscuitsmom and @Jeanie, thanks for the encouragement.
@Caro, excellent point from you as usual.
@peekaboo, I'll have to see where this ends up. Who knows, I may end up checking out the Fryes before all is said and done.
@Isabel, I've never had Clarks boots but my most comfortable pair of sandals
is Clarks Artisan. They may not be the best look on me but they feel good!
@Beth Ann, I hope you find your boots too!
@Diana, thanks for sharing your boot experience with those thoughts! You bring up some exellent points and I know exactly what you mean about the elephant leg effect. You are another one who really knows how to wear a pair of boots.