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So confused about boots!

znip

I'm thinking ahead to the fall and need a new pair of boots to replace my old knee-high, black, stacked heel boots that fell apart after 8 years of wear. I am a wardrobe minimalist, so this will be my only pair of boots.

A couple questions:
- I'm petite (5'4) so can I wear boots over jeans? I only wore them with skirts in the past.
- Do the boots need to be similar in tone to my clothes elongate the leg line (therefore probably black)?
- Or would it be better to bookend with the boots (I'm a blonde)? Would that make me look too stumpy?
- Can I wear flat/equestrian style boots? Or again, is that going to make me look short/short-legged? I've only had heeled boots in the past.

So confused! Thanks!

Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

crazyone

Veteran

I am shorter than you, and I tuck my knee-high boots into my jeans all the time, and I think it makes me look taller. I mostly wear equestrian style boots, in a cognac color--so I don't bother with elongating the leg line most of the time, and I don't book-end with my hair, since I have black hair. I think you can do all of the things you suggested without a problem.

Di

(website)

Veteran

I suspect it will depend more on proportions than height. If you're long-waisted, you may want to keep the color low-contrast to lengthen the leg line. If you're petite but leggy, it won't matter so much.

rachylou

Veteran

You know, I'm not sure that isn't harder for tall gals to wear tall boots. Also, I think the average height of women in the U.S. is 5'4" - we're not a model tall people. I'm thinking it may even be easier for you to wear boots over jeans v. a skirt, that you've pretty much got free reign, and theoretically a lot of choice. I suspect Di is right and the issue will be proportion. Your shape v. the boots' shape.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I rock those knee high boots 3 seasons out of the year and I am 5' tall.

I have tucking boots and skirt boots. Usually if they work with a skirt, they aren't going to work for tucking skinny's or jeggings.

While there is something to be said for the monochromatic low contrast look (I love nude shoes for summer), I don't reach for my black boots as much. I tend to wear my cognac and greyish/taupe boots more. I have heeled boots but they aren't my favorites. I much prefer minimalist pull on flat heeled boots.

At 5'4" you should have no problem finding a wide variety of styles and colors to fit you this fall. I would start with a basic black pair if you are only going to have one pair of boots, but keep an open mind when it comes to other colors. They are a nice change from black shoes.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm in the same boat! I need a pair of basic black boots to replace my old ones, to wear with skirts and pants. I haven't found anything yet. My advice is to be super-picky, as these are something you will want to wear all the time and they need to be perfect for you!

crazyone

Veteran

alaskagirl, try these: http://www.zappos.com/la-canadienne-dorina

they fit my 12.5'' calves perfectly without alterations. In fact, I'd have difficulty getting skinny jeans in there...

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

If I was shopping for black boots this year, I would check out Angie's rec, also worn by the lovely Bei-jing in today's blog post. They are gorgeous and look like they would fit a wide variety of calf widths.

rae

(website)

Veteran

It depends on your legs, the boots, and where the boots hit on your legs, Like Di said, you will have an easier time if you are leggy. Since you are only going with one pair of boots, and there are so many factors involved, my advice would be to get something low-contrast that hits a few inches below your kneecap and has a low heel. Yes, you will somewhat limit the variety of things to try on, but I think it'll make the boots you end up with more versatile.

catgirl

Veteran

Oh, those are fab, C1! The only issue is the suede - will I wreck them in all the salt and slush we get here?

crazyone

Veteran

LC suede is supposed to be weatherproof, AG. Granted, it has to be really heavy duty to survive an Alaskan winter, but it's supposed to survive a Canadian one.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Just echoing the caution about finding one pair of boots for both skirts and pants. That truly is the holy grale, in any colour, since boots that will accomodate tucked pants don't often fit close enough to the calf to be appropriate with skirts. Boots with some built-in stretch, like the Acquitalia boots at this year's NAS, sound like they would do the trick. I'd get them myself if they fit my calves, since it's worth the money for something so versatile.

crazyone

Veteran

I actually do have a pair of boots that works perfectly with both skirts and jeans (not the pair I linked to above, though). When I bought it was too big in the calf, so I had it sized down to be tight to my stockinged calves, but since it has a small elastic insert in the calf it can stretch to accommodate the jean thickness.

Kristine

Veteran

Be careful though. I had a pair that fit well for skirts. One wearing over jeans (they had soft leather and an elastic gore) stretched them out and they no longer worked (perfectly anyway) with skirts! I really think it's better to have a pair with a buckle or a stretch upper if possible so you don't stress the elastic.

crazyone

Veteran

Kristine, I've been wearing my pair for two winters with no problem...so it's possible to find.

znip

Thanks for all the ideas!

Carole

Veteran

My first reaction is "absolutely" you can wear jeans tucked, seems flattering look for every shape and size. I have black and cognac color boots and although I'm tall and don't worry so much about leg elongation, if I could only have one color I would pick cognac. Seems to go with everything. I did order the boots shown in Angie's post about Bei Jing, haven't received them yet but I'm sure they will be versatile workhorses.

Lisa

Veteran

I'm only 5'3" and wore tall boots with skinnies all winter last year. I own three pairs: chestnut, light gray, and black. I have brown hair, and none of the boots bookend my hair properly. I find my lightest boots (gray) worked best with some light in the top half of the outfit, to tie in the light boots. My jeans, were always dark wash. I'm not a fan of light wash jeans for my skinnies, I prefer the dark wash. All of my boots have buckles on them, which helps cinch for dresses and bare legs so they can do double duty with jeans and skirts/dresses.