Style lab (booties-HELP!) - YouLookFab Forum

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Style lab (booties-HELP!)

Runcarla

Veteran

Confession-I don’t love booties (on me) I wear sneakers and flats (pointy toe, loafer) as long as possible, and will even wear sneakers in winter if I don’t have to wade through slop. When sneakers are not an option, I’ve got one pair of low heeled booties, and one pair of high boots (pictured below). Problem is, I find there is something ‘off’ when I wear my booties with my usual silhouettes.

My favourite silhouette is an ankle baring cropped pant. Alternatively I’m into a knee covering skirt or dress, or a straight leg pant. With the straight leg pant, the bootie looks like an ordinary almond toe shoe. I can’t put my finger on what is wrong with the ankle baring looks. Flower pot? I have curvy calves and thighs, but narrow ankles and knees.

The very low heel of the booties is perfect. I can’t comfortably go higher. Can you help me with some styling tips and/or bootie recs? I’m not adverse to adding a new pair of booties (maybe cognac like the JCrews in Angie’s picks?) but need the lowest of heels possible. I’m also open to considering different bottom silhouettes or socks/tights combinations that will make my current booties work. I STRONGLY BELIEVE that footwear can make or break a ‘look’, and I want to get this right!

I like tall boots even less, but have included pics of the ones I have. Other than the equestrian look (when I wear the boots all day), I wear the boots until I reach my destination (when I change out to shoes.) I had the heels of the tall boots lowered (!) and as a result wore them more last year.

I am open to just about anything! Please help,

#1/2 Town Shoes booties, Franco Sarto tall boots
#3/4 silhouettes with booties
#5 silhouettes with boots

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J.Crew J.CrewCroc Leona Boot

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General

32 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I know that it’s very “in” to wear ankle boots with skirts and cropped trousers but I am not a fan.l don’t like the gap between boot and garment!
However I am a big fan of boots and hardly ever wear shoes in the winter.I can only speak for myself but my most useful boots are low heeled full length tan which I wear with skirts and dresses,tights or leggings filling any gaps,and short brown and black booties laced up the front .Again these are flat but cover the ankle and can be worn with skirts or trousers,think modern victoriana style but only if the trouser tops cover the top of the boot .These type of boots tend to have a longer shaft so you could wear a longer cropped trouser with them if that makes sense.In the end though it’s what looks harmonious to your eye that matters.l suggest trying on lots of pairs with your winter trousers and seeing what you like the look of best. https://www.johnlewis.com/joul.....r/p3763576
https://www.johnlewis.com/dune.....k/p4349613

Style Fan

Veteran

We are the opposite. I love booties and boots. I wonder if part of what is challenging for you is the colour of your boots. The black is very strong (probably the wrong word) and the cognac would be a great choice. Cognac would bookend your hair and also break up the line of darkness with your jeans.

notsaf

Veteran

I am like Rachy on puffers for booties: there is a bootie for every occasion!

I think SF hit the nail on the head. Look for booties that share some features (color, toe shape) with your preferred non-bootie footwear and go from there.

SarahD8

Veteran

I echo Style Fan’s comments. I think the booties and skirt look is a natural for your style, but the black booties are quite visually heavy in those outfits. I think cognac booties would be fab! (For me, black booties work best as part of a long, lean leg line — with black tights or leggings.) I. Not sure there’s anything wrong with booties looking like a shoe under pants — but again maybe you are wanting some lighness there? A bootie That has the same effect as your converse.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think the booties look fine with the cropped white jeans. I think they could look okay with the skirt if worn with black tights. At least for me, I don't like high contrast between my legs and black booties, YMMV. I really only wear booties with skirts without tights if the boots are closer to my skin tone, like a light tan color. I think the high boots need to be sleeker (tighter to your leg) to be worn with your skirt. They look fine with jeans. That's just my two cents and I'm sure others will have different opinions.

Synne

Veteran

I am thinking canvas boots, Dr. Martin-inspired, utility/military looking boots is the way to go. High shaft, lacing and a sturdy rubber sole. But maybe a slightly less utility-looking, more refined and polished version? And does a trendy version exist?

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Anonymous

I'm also the opposite: give me all of the boots

I see nothing wrong with either pair, other than they are very traditional and perhaps not interesting enough for what you want? I love a cropped pant with an ankle boot and think yours look great with the shorter pants. I don't love and wear full-length pants with boots for the reason that the boots are hidden and look like plain old shoes and that the pant legs can get a bit bunched up at the ankle. I know ankle pants aren't considered "current" here, but I don't care

I do agree with SF in that the black may be too strong a contrast for your look too, and that an animal print or a cognac leather would be brilliant . What is your leather jacket colour? A burgundy if I remember correctly? Try that colour in a boot too.

nemosmom

Veteran

Another boot lover, here! I like your short booties with the black pants and with the cuff on the jeans. Something about them pooled at the ankle doesn’t look right to my eye. I like your tall boots with the pleated skirt, and think they could work with a darker pant or jean.

A pointier toe low heel boot could look great and I think the cognac ones are worth a shot. Also, what about a lace-up boot? I bought these Thursday boots last year and really like them. I’m pretty sure LaPed has them in a different color.

nemosmom

Veteran

oops... here's the boot:

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Katerina

Veteran

I like the black booties with the ankle pants - the silhouette is nice. How about sheer black knee high stockings with the white jeans and the black booties? It could be nice to create a lower contrast with your legs but still have the ankles “visible”, IYKWIM.
I think the cognac booties would be great with your colours and your hair. Also, they have a bit higher shaft and are a bit more fitted (sleeker), which would create a bit different look - cover the gap with the ankle pants and make a dressier vibe.
I love booties and especially Chelsea boots. I often prefer more fitted, sleeker shape with a slightly longer shaft to elongate and close the gap when I wear cropped pants. I wear such also with the few skirts I have and usually with low contrast hose. If you are considering another pair of booties - how about Chelsea boots with a higher shaft?

Sal

Veteran

It can be tricky and I have some boots I like with certain skirts or pants and others I don't.

Tall Boots - I like these with the jeans. I feel like they are not quite right with the skirt. I would wear with the white jeans and blue jeans for a fun change and I would add black on my top half somewhere even if just in a pattern.

Ankle boots - I like these best with the black pants. I think you could do with a new pair though - these are a bit conventional for your style. I wouldn't discard these - I would wear when practical and they are still fine. I agree - cognac, tan, camel or similar colour, lower heel, higher shaft. Lace ups or chelsea boot style.

And Lisa - I don't think ankle pants are not current - they are definitely current - just not new anymore.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like the booties with all of the pants you've shown here. I also think the cognac J Crew pair would go nicely with them, especially with the white jeans. With your full-length straight-leg jeans, I could also see a more western style bootie looking fab (like the Frye in finds).

With the skirt, I would prefer a more refined bootie (like the JCrew pair) OR an all-out stompy or clunky style, like a combat boot (like the Doc Martens in finds). Your current booties seem a little too in-between to really complement or juxtapose with the skirt style.

The tall boots look good to me with both outfits you've shown.

Frye Carson Logo Leather Ankle Boots

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Dr. Martens Leona Hiker Boots

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kkards

Veteran

For me, and maybe you, it’s all about the shaft height. With cropped pants, I find a 6 inch shaft is ideal...5.5 is about as low a shaft as I’ll go. That basically fills in the gap and creates proportions that I like. And I know they sock booties aren’t trending like they were, but I ive found that I prefer a booties that fits snug, which means that it will also work under the full length pants that are trending again

LaPed

Veteran

I have the same problem; most booties do not make my heart sing, even though they look great in stock photos and on others. I think it's partly a fit issue and partly a vibe issue. A side-zip almond-toe bootie is just a smidge too conservative for my style; despite being the most versatile in theory, they don't really work with any of my outfits in practice.

And I do indeed have the same Thursday Boot Co lace-ups nemosmom mentions -- in burgundy! I love them, and find that lace-up solves a lot of fit/proportion issues that bother me with booties and ankle boots. Because I mostly wear straight or wide-legged pants (often cropped) a loose fit around the ankle makes footwear look really off to me. And the lace-up style nod to military/workwear styles while still being pretty slim and lightweight. I've always loved the look of prairie/granny boots even more than classic Doc Martens (and these Thursdays are way more comfortable than any of the Docs I've flirted with in years past, and don't come with nearly as much socio-political baggage).

Style Fan is right that the black may be part of the problem; black boots against white jeans or pale bare skin can look a little harsh/heavy. I have one pair of black boots, but really only wear them with dark tights or leggings underneath, which lowers the contrast.

And lisap is right that both of pairs of boots here skew classic; maybe you need something a bit edgier and/or more playful, especially now that you're not factoring in work-appropriate!

And if you do want a boot with a clean front as opposed to laces... maybe a chelsea style? Gives a bit more of a countryside/gentlewoman vibe. I can easily picture you in Blundstones, but there are plenty of more refined chelseas out there too!

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

To my eye Carla, the tall boots don't fit as well as they could - a little too roomy up top.

I think you'd enjoy the look of booties if they were not black. Too heavy. Something lower in contrast, a little dressier, and slightly higher in the shaft. So more streamlined. I'm with Firecracker and kkards.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

The booties looks good to me in all the outfits where you see them. With the longer jeans I think I would prefer a pointier toe. I agree you would enjoy an alternative color with a higher shaft. I would hold on to the taller boots for the occasional outfit that calls for slouchier looks although they do look a bit wide now that Angie has mentioned it .

Joy

Veteran

I am with Angie in thinking that your tall boots are too wide at the top.
I was slow at wearing booties and started out with shooties. I still hesitate to buy taller shafted booties because so many rub painfully on the back of my heels and legs.
Another thing I became aware of. My feet are large for my size so something without a break from ankle to toe makes my feet look out-of-proportion big. Something like toe caps, hardwear or even laces help break up the expanse. The smooth ones still seem ok with full length pants that cover part of the bootie. I also agree with Angie that the black booties look too heavy. My most worn are pewter or grey. This year I think my browns, tan and white will get more wear.

Runcarla

Veteran

Angie you don’t miss anything, and pointed out the shaft of the tall boots was (too) roomy last year. Since the tall boots are my least loved/least worn, I haven’t made it a priority to replace them. On the ‘list’ but near the bottom.

To everyone who suggested ‘not black’ - I see it, and I agree. There is nothing in my natural colouring to bookend with black, and I am slowly phasing it out of my wardrobe. I am no longer drawn to black footwear at all. 3 of my 4 winter coats are black, but I’m hoping to update with olive and camel in mind. (@lisap - my leather jacket is cognac)

I will have to ponder more, and collect some images or finds. I’m thinking: 1. tall boots, 2. high shaft close fitting booties, and 3. lace up granny/combat boot style (as suggested by Stylefan and LaPed). Cognac, olive, maybe snakeskin? or something else (not black). This is kind of like shopping for a good bra, or specs - not fun, but worth the work in the end. *sigh*

Joy

Veteran

I just took another look at your style lab. Your black booties are nicely streamlined. Do you have a black coat or black jacket to create balance? Maybe a black scarf or one with black in it would do the trick. Black winter hat?
If you are shopping for new boots/booties, consider Le Canadienne or Blondo or something else waterproof as you do lots of walking.

Jane

Veteran

I think a softer colour, khaki or cognac would help and also suede maybe rather than leather, I’m wondering though if you might need black boots for wet weather days - I like the way leather can take a lot of weather and then polish up.

karen13

Veteran

What style fan (and Angie) said - it is the contrast. I proudly bought a pair of black booties when I started paying more attention to attire about 5 years ago, and now only wear them with full length dark pant. They are just too heavy looking. Go for cognac!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Olive snakeskin?

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Style Fan

Veteran

Carla, have considered leopard booties? They would bookend your hair and look fabulous with your red pieces.
Thursday Boot Co. is a company I have been looking at. Good to hear from La Ped about the comfort factor.

lyn67

Veteran

Cognac/burgundy/olive/or an animal is your way to go! It also helps having them with a non black sole. I love patent for deeper colors but find suede finish make all shoes visually lighter-and better matching for ex. white jeans.
BTW, I am with Lisap : "I don't love and wear full-length pants with boots for the reason that the boots are hidden and look like plain old shoes and that the pant legs can get a bit bunched up at the ankle. I know ankle pants aren't considered "current" here, but I don't care".
and Notsaf (LOL on Rachy:-)) "there is(should be!) a bootie for every occasion!":-)

cjh

(website)

Veteran

What great discussion, and sounds like you have a plan to remedy the discontent. I might also suggest that the black boots, while heavy and dark looking, and not really part of your palette now, would be less conspicuous and serve fine as utility in bad weather by simply adding your cold weather layers, tops, topper or coat to balance out the “heavy.” With darker, more textured, or layered look on top, the boots will not draw the eye so much or be a focal point and can still work for you until you find something really great to replace them. Good luck and have fun!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with many of the other suggestions here — black booties are a slam dunk for me because I wear so much black and have dark hair, so the look of dark footwear always appears balanced on me. I bet cognac boots would be fabulous on you.

I also find low-shaft booties with skirts kind of awkward for me personally, so I often prefer the look of a fitted ankle style bootie with skirts and dresses — the effect is not so high contrast and flows better to my eye. That may be a good way for you to start out with booties and skirts.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm with the others -- it's a bootie style and colour issue. These are too short in the shaft and/or too loose in the shaft to work well for the looks you want (although I do think they work with the shorter jeans here) -- a fitted ankle style, either lace up or not, as others have suggested, will be more versatile and also work with skirts.

And yes to those who said cognac or animal print. That is going to work SO much better for you. Bookend your hair and add some fun.

Showing the boots and booties that I have or will wear with cropped jeans (narrow or wide leg or BF) and skirts or dresses. The lowest shaft is on the Narla (cream bootie) and it has a higher heel, plus it is very low contrast to my skin.

I realize most of mine have a slightly higher heel than would work for you, my sweet spot being 2 inches or a flatform, but Angie's typically don't, so check out her personal collection.

Elvina Waterproof Bootie

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Bronx Lace-Up Platform Boot

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Aquatalia Aquatalia Carie Weatherproof Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Blondo Blondo Elvina Waterproof Bootie (Women) | Nordstrom

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Calvin Klein Narla Leather Ankle Boots

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Topshop Mustard Leather Western Boots

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Topshop Moscow Velvet Western Ankle Boots

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Anonymous

Agreeing with the others that you may like a lighter bootie more. There are definitely boots/booties for all occasions. Sleeker fits work with skirts (yours look really loose) and cropped pants, or under looser pants. Looser/slouchier fits look best over skinnies to me. They also can balance out crops, but in my experience, rub on the ankles
Low shaft, like shooties, I just wear as a high vamp shoe (loafers, oxfords, sneakers) alternative.

L'Abeille

Veteran

Since you share some of my Gentlewoman aesthetic, you might try a solution that works for me. I was thrilled to realize that I could bridge the gap between shorter booties and shorter/cropped pants by searching the men's department for trouser socks. They are longer than women's socks, and the feet are bigger too so I don't lose any of the "leg" real estate trying to make it reach my heels. Also they come in great subtle menswear type prints (or funky stripes) that complement or tone in with my pants. The added length means I don't flash any skin when I'm sitting down.

This discovery has extended the wear of my crop pants into the cooler seasons, and it can be fun too.

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