Tall boots tryon- ETA more boot question at end of the post

I'm doing this as boots and not as part of the farm wedding guest outfit because I will not be sorted as to tall boots in time for the wedding, but am exploring boots nonetheless.
I just started with an Aquatalia and a Paul Green to see about fit.
Pics 1-3 I have one of each boot on! PG is on my R foot (L in photo) and Aqua on the other.
The PG is suede which can be forgiving. But, the front bit comes up over my patellar tendon just enough to bother me--maybe it doesn't look so, but it kinda evokes OTK and also I can feel it when I walk. So they're a tad too tall. Fit is fair and toes are pretty comfy, but not as cushiony as I'd like and not much room for an insert.
The Aqualltalias are a good height but are the slightly pointy style of this year. They are pretty forgiving in the bunion area but it's not ideal for me to invest in the pointiness.
I showed first pics with sheer nude hose so the boots would show better, but I'd probably almost always wear dark sheer or dark opaque hose.
Next pics are just the Aqua's (on both feet!) with skirt I'd wear with tall boots and a dress.
I AM learning something about boots.First, I'm not a super tall-boots person. I don't so far think they are as comfortable as warm tights and a lower boot or oxford. But, I believe I would mostly wear with skirts or dresses that are fall-wintry. I So a fitted style is better than one that allows tucking in pants. A low heel is best for my feet and also so I'd wear them for "dressy casual" or sporty dress and get use besides work, like a dress and fun vest, or tunic and tights. I think a water -resistant type would be good since it's a way to wear something on a chilly rainy day--not for hiking in rain, but dashing in and out, boots and warm skirt/dress-trenchcoat kind of thing.
So probably a smooth leather, low heel, water "proof", refined but not too dressy. Does the riding boot strap & buckle make boots too casual for a skirt? Or is it more the overall cut and effect?

I'd like a toe that's less pointy than the Aquatalia one, but not bulbous!
I expect black would be most useful. I would love various browns for leather, but statistically black would be easier to coordinate with likely clothing colors that come and go. For example, can still wear black with navy, or can wear black boots with warm camel type woolen skirts or dresses.
But, are all the boots made with the whole back as fabric? I can see how that makes for a much better stretchy fit, but it seems like buying half a pair of boots!

New question if anyone can weigh in: I was rethinking what works or not re: the Aquatalias. The calf fit is pretty tight at the widest part of my calf on though the stretchy panel keeps it from being a real problem. BUT the boot leather does some of that “buckling “ right above the ankle. I note when unzipped, of course, tgevkeatgrr rekaxez and straitens out. Does a tight calf cause more wrinkles and is that some kind of happy medium to look for? I’m not bothered just by appearance but whether over time the leather wears badly in the wrinkles. How “ smooth” should s boot fit in that zone?
Thanks for any feedback.

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Nordstrom

Paul Green Nola Tall Water Resistant Boot

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Nordstrom

Aquatalia by Marvin K Genna Weatherproof Tall Boot

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6 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I've seen more and more boots with stretch fabric panels. I think it's a cost-cutting strategy, first from a materials perspective, and second because it allows them to manufacture a single calf width instead of narrow/regular/wide. All-leather boots are still out there, just have to seek them out.

At a glance I prefer the Aquas over the PGs.

Jane

Thank you for this post, it is so helpful. I have been thinking about same pair of Paul Green boots, it is interesting to read your comments. I am interested in the comment about the cushiony sole. I like the sound of OTK boots, so may be these are worth a try.

I have two pair of boots currently, same make (Russell and Bromley), one suede and one leather. Neither have fabric panels, but they do have give, so are easy to pull on / off. The fit is no longer comfortable for my increasingly fussy feet.

The Aquaitalia pair do look lovely on you. I wish you well with your search.

Joyce B

I also think the ATL fit you better. I agree that the fabric part is a cost cutting strategy, or a price increase, depending on whose perspective it is.
I don’t think half fabric boots will last nearly as long as full leather ones.

unfrumped

Jane, I hear you in fussy feet.
Thats one I’m leery about tall boots for me. If I don’t wear them s lot per year, I need them to be good for SEVERAL years. I’m not so much worried about style trends as subtle fit changes. So I’m trying to do mostly “ wear now” footwear with the exception of having a couple of dressy pumps on hand for special occasion wear. These can usually be “ semi - sitting “ shoes and I have to be prepared for high CPW and to replace at intervals. But that would be a big pain and more of a waste for boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

MUCH prefer the Aquatalias. Better fit and look.

Suz

I really like the look of the Aquatalias on you. But admit I am biased.

JAileen

I prefer the look of the Aquatalia, too. And I prefer all leather boots, too.

RobinF

Another vote for the Aquas. They look sleeker to me.

3style

Another vote for the Aquatalias. I'm generally in favor of roomier toe boxes rather than rounded ones. However, somehow I have not found this principle to apply to tall boots. Even added woolen thermofoil insoles and thick woolen socks don't fully fill the extra room in the toe box of my suede rounded toe tall boots. This makes my toes feel very cold. My two pairs of tall Cole Haan have pointed toes and can only be worn with thinner socks, but somehow this keeps my toes warmer because there is less of an air pocket.

I find this is also somewhat true for shorter boots. I think the thing is that you can stick a thick platform on a short boots to keep your toes away from the cold ground, and it doesn't imply a specific style, whereas platform tall boots with very thick soles and a very round toe would look kind of punk rock. Or very backwoods if they were the fuzzy on top kind.

Dear Fabbers, I added a new “ wrinkle question to the original post. Any comments appreciated.

Unfrumped, I've got some similar riding boots (with the fabric back panel) in a whiskey brown. They are about five years old and are from Cole Haan. They don't have a zipper at all, so that they are pull on boots. If they didn't have a bit of extra room around the ankle, I couldn't get them on and off.

My other two tall boots have zippers on the sides. The other one which has a fabric back, from Aerosoles, it has a short zipper of a few inches only around the ankle zone. So no ankle bunching. And the other ones are just a standard side zip in an all leather upper boot.

Basically my point is that I think that if a manufacturer puts in a zipper, then they should be constructed without ankle bunching. Unless of course they are a deliberately slouchy style.

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