Sooo....I just got back from NAS - YouLookFab Forum

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Sooo....I just got back from NAS

Maya

Veteran

I spent less than an hour there. The Trouvé boots I wanted were sold out, and are sold out online, so I guess I missed that boat. Same with the Sanctuary shorts. No 26's left online or in store.

There were 2 pairs of flat OTK boots: The Stuart Weitzman Hammer, and the Steven Steve Madden Sabras. I tried both. Surprisingly, the SW's were not too tall on me at all. In fact they just barely cover my knee. Maybe I have long shins? They were like butter but would virtually blow my whole NAS budget.

I actually liked the Sabra boots more. The buckles and zipper details were more interesting to me. However, they had a serious problem: There is no vent or stretch in the back so I couldn't bend my knees properly! Very poorly designed. I was disappointed and left them. The foot area was not comfortable either, even when I went up to a 7, and they were taller than the SW boots.

Back to the SW's. I ended up buying them, and some hosiery. But I am not sure if I'm going to keep them or not. I'm keeping an eye on the ebay auction I was watching, and although it has gone up to $200, it is still a lot cheaper than the ones I just got. They are kind of bunchy at my ankles, but that's a problem I have in all of my boots. My calves, while narrow, are disproportionately big compared to my extra narrow ankles, so I always seem to end up with too much material bagging there. On a $200 boot I just shrug it off, but on a $345 boot (that's really $525), I am not sure. It's less of a problem over jeans though, and perhaps I could pad up my ankles somehow..

I wore them with a short skirt just to show clearly how high they come, but I would not wear them like this. And my top is all bunchy and needs to be fixed, but ignore that.

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2630.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2629.jpg

So my plan right now is to wait for the ebay auction, compare the boots, and decide. Or if the Trouvé boots come back in stock, I could get those instead (you can click to the juniors BP section on nordstrom.com and see them in action on the model). Or I could just wait and see if anything else pops up elsewhere later in the season.

Other than that, I didn't really see anything else I couldn't live without and I couldn't have afforded it anyway, so if I return the boots, I probably won't get anything else.

Shopping

30 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

agrace

Maya, the picture is a little hard for me to see the details but I like what I'm seeing. I'm a little irked reading about how all the sizes are gone at the NAS. Do they do th is on purpose? It seems like a lot of people (myself included) are just not going to find their size.

I think your plan is good, and I *do* really like the boots from what I can see in the picture. What do you plan to wear them with?

Maya

Veteran

Agrace, I anticipated I'd have trouble since I wear a small size, and as Angie mentioned in her NAS post, smaller sizes disappear faster. The Trouvé boots surprised me though. I was not expecting them to be so popular. I'm disappointed because I really loved them and desperately wanted a pair of rugged laceup boots. If you typically wear a medium or a large you might have better luck. Also, I'm sure there will be a wave of returns soon so I'm not going to have an apoplexy just yet.

The pictures are dark, I know. Ever since my brother moved out and took all his lamps with him, that room never seems to get proper lighting.

I'll probably wear these with jeans most of the time, but also with dresses. I only say that because if it's cold enough for OTK boots, it's probably too cold for a dress, but who knows. I have become such a frockaholic that the idea of going back to jeans every day makes me sad. I would also love to wear them earlier in the season with tweed shorts (like the Sanctuary ones that are sold out, grr), and hose.

I do rather like them in this post with the pink tights...which I have and Angie hates >:)

http://youlookfab.com/2008/09/.....-or-tarty/

Those boots are also SW and I see they are bunchy around the model's ankles too, so perhaps it isn't as weird looking as I think. I think the ideal situation would be to get the ebay boots and have money left over for the Trouvé boots which will hopefully come back in stock! But I won't get my hopes up.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Are these sizes going to re-appear after the sale is over for the full price?
Maya, I am not an expert on OTK boots and the pictures are a little difficult to see but I think they look good.

agrace

I like them in that post too...what does she hate about that look in particular - the colored tights?

I think it is a bold look - the boots - and I would love to see you wear them with those shorts. Can you start a good old fashioned stalking of the shorts?

Maya

Veteran

I'm not sure Sveta. I can't afford them full price though. $99 for fab boots is a great deal. I guess I can always ask if they're available anywhere, but I don't know what size I would need since I haven't tried them on.

Angie hates brightly colored tights Agrace. Well, to be fair she said on arty young personalities (i.e. me) she can live with them, but I don't think she will ever truly love them

agrace

Yes I recall she doesn't like the bright colored tights from I guess last winter when we were discussing it. I think if you had a dark colored outfit, bright tights and those boots - you would look great. Try it!

Tanya

Veteran

I love these boots on you Maya! I would certainly keep them if I were you. ( I have just come back from NAS myself and completely fell in love with them, but they are too pricey for me).

Maya

Veteran

They were too expensive for me too Tanya. My mom cut a deal with me. She'd pay for them with her credit card so she can get points or miles or something...then I'd pay her back in installments :p

chellebrate

I just read the following from Nordstrom on FB. Maybe your shorts will be one of them online. "More sale items will be available online starting Wednesday! Many items that sold out at the start of the sale will be back by popular demand. Stay tuned!"

Maya

Veteran

Ooh fabulous. Thanks Chelle!

Anonymous

Those boots are beautiful on you, Maya. If they are super comfortable, you will wear the heck out of them. They "bookend" your hair color and have that urban edge you do so well. However, your plan sounds very reasonable since it's too hot right now for boots anyway. Either way I hope you get a pair of fabulously comfy and stylish boots for fall.

kellygirl

Veteran

They look beautiful on you, Maya! The length looks perfect. It's hard to see the ankles in the pics you posted but the overall look is so sleek and urban. They really suit you. I agree though, for the money, they better be pretty close to perfect to keep!

Lisa

Veteran

I love these boots on you, I agree they "bookend" very well. I don't see a problem with the bunching, all my boots do that except my cowboy one's. Maybe you can play a scratch off and win your boot money?

Sihaya

Veteran

Nice outfit Maya. Also love the necklace!

Sparky

Veteran

I had just heard what Chel had posted that some out-of-stock items will be restocked starting Wednesday so there's hope yet.

Maya, are you already wearing socks with the SW boots? If not, maybe a pair of short, thick-ish socks would add enough bulk to your ankle to give you a smoother line. From the pictures though, I can't see any bunching.

I love the boots on you, FWIW. I plan to wear mine with a couple sweater dresses I already have. Makes me feel all warm and cozy just thinking about it.

cciele

Veteran

Boots are awesome on you Maya! What a nice splurge. I hope you are able to find the shorts too. You would rock that look.

crazyone

Veteran

I remember Esprit had tweed shorts during the winter, hopefully they'll have them again. It'll be at a lower price point...

marianne

Ooh Maya, I was looking at these boots today and decided they would be too much for me (both style- and price-wise), so I didn't even try them on. Now seeing your pictures makes me want to go back.
I have no idea how OTK boots are supposed to fit, but I really like them. I think bunching at the ankles is totally normal.

Maya

Veteran

Here are more piccies. It seems no matter what I do I can't get them to come out clear because they are black! I don't think the bunching is as bad as I thought, but a new problem has come up. They look fine here...

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2635.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2633.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2632.jpg

However, Angie is sort of right about the height. The front is perfect, but the back does come up high. When I stand or walk it's not a big deal, but when I sit it comes up about an inch beyond where my knee bends in the back and causes them to bunch up. It seems like a very easy fix and I'm sure a cobbler could trim it off, but they are so expensive it kind of freaks me out that I will a) have to spend more and b) risk ruining them. It might be a dealbreaker. I should have known better than to disobey Angie

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2639.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_2640.jpg

So I am starting to believe I am doomed to live a life without OTK boots! They are even harder to fit than regular boots. Aside from getting the height, width, and comfort level right, now I have to worry about whether or not the front AND back are low enough? Grr >:( These were so close!

I guess I'll get the back measurement on the ebay boots and see how they compare, but I'm not optimistic. Sigh.

Edit: as usual I might be having an apoplexy for nothing. I just looked at a few videos on Zappos for other SW OTK boots and the pink tights picture on Bloomies and it looks like they all come up that high in the back. Please tell me you agree because the more I wear these boots, the more attached I am becoming...

Scarlet

Veteran

Maya, I LOVE THOSE BOOTS ON YOU SO MUCH!

I have OTK boots and they hit the back of my knee like yours do. I found it pretty weird at first when sitting but then I got used to it. In my case the leather is soft and slouchy (They don't stand up by themselves.) and because of that they have developed creases behind my knee, but I think it looks fine. That was sweet of your mom to put you on the installment plan. I didn't notice and ankle bunching, but be sure it doesn't rub on your ankle in an uncomfortable way.

Scarlet

Veteran

Oh yeah, I think also you mentioned somewhere you have relatively long legs in proportion to your torso, so maybe that's why the length works for you.

Maya

Veteran

That's good to know Scarlet. The back part is actually a small panel of stretch fabric, but since my legs are skinny it is actually rather loose. My concern is that over time, all the bunching that happens when I sit is going to stretch it out even more.

The ebay boots have a cutout in the back for your knees, no fabric. Dunno if it will be low enough though. But they take returns so I'm willing to find out.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Even with your proportionally long leg line, these boots *are* long for you Maya. They come up very high at the back. And there is loads of knee coverage to boot. I'm very surprised that the foot fits comfortably because I did not find them roomy on the toebox. Perhaps the ultra soft leather is what makes that side of things more comfortable?

Maya

Veteran

They are a 7 Angie. I always size up in boots.

I'm confused by the "loads of knee coverage." Aren't they supposed to cover the knee? They are just barely hitting the top of my knee. I wouldn't want to go any shorter, otherwise they would only cover part of my knee.

These are the best fit of all the OTK boots I have tried. I'm not sure I could do much better, so if these don't work, I think I'll just have to forgo the trend.

Ariadne

Veteran

Hmm. Off to watch the other thread too--I also thought OTK boots were supposed to cover the knee.

Angie/Maya, do these boots run narrow, like other SW shoes? If so I probably shouldn't even bother with them, as my feet are on the wider side.

Maya

Veteran

Brianna, Angie says these are not roomy, but I found them comfy on my wide feet. I did size up though, which I usually do in boots anyway.

Ariadne

Veteran

Maybe they'd work, then. I can wear the Brulees, which are not particularly wide. I am sort of in between a 7.5 and an 8, so I would buy 8.

I'm also consdiering the Steven by Steve Madden ones, which are cheaper. I'm tall so maybe they'd be OK on me.

Maya

Veteran

Brianna, my main concern with the Steve Maddens was the lack of a vent in the back. I hated the feeling of not being able to bend my knees properly. Maybe it won't bother you as much, but it drove me batty.

Ariadne

Veteran

Yeah, I just measured my legs and the back of my knee is 15" from the ankle. So, I'd have the same problem. It's weird that there is no vent or stretch there.

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