testing an impractical boot, and a kind of amusing aside - YouLookFab Forum

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testing an impractical boot, and a kind of amusing aside

Mochi

Veteran

Way back I had posted on a weird attraction to this Free People bootie:

http://www.freepeople.com/have...../22608830/

which is neither very practical with the current stuff I have, nor toward the beginning of the line in terms of what would be extremely versatile among other footwear that I WANT (such as Docs, etc. Hey, I'm allowed to want infinite items, obviously....) And it would be a step in a new style direction, hence the rationalization that I should consider this. I'm more intuitive than logical in what I like, clearly.

But, price has reduced enough for me to consider looking at them in a store if they stock my size. No free shipping through FP, unfortunately. I'll need to call the local one and see if they have a few sizes to try out.

And my aside was their blunt explanation of who their target demographic is. Taken from some website copy:

"And that's just who we wanted to reach: a 26-year-old girl, smart, creative, confident and comfortable in all aspects of her being, free and adventurous, sweet to tough to tomboy to romantic. A girl who likes to keep busy and push life to its limits, with traveling and hanging out and everything in between. Who loves Donovan as much as she loves The Dears, and can't resist petting any dog that passes her by on the street."

So there you have it. The window for being a cool Free Person is very very narrow. You have 365 days in your twenties in which to indulge in FP merchandise. Truly, after 26, it must all go downhill. LOLing at this for some reason. Marketing--you have to love it!

(Hope they don't do some kind of reverse carding when you try and order....)

Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from Mochi

missvee

Veteran

Wow that boot has a lot going on. I think I could live with everything but the asymmetrical top line - that just seems like one detail too many! But why not go and try them on - you could always pretend they are a gift for your niece...

MNsara

Veteran

I'm looking forward to your take on these boots! They seem like there might be no middle ground: either you'll be

"some sort of runaway superhero Peter Pan on a Harley. So cool"

or

"a bit clownish "

(from their reviews!)

Gotta love that demographic thing. Interesting because my 22-y.o. DD and I were just talking about FreePeople (which she loved about 7-8 years ago -- and not in their demographics then) that they have gone more vintage vibe, as aimed for young women who dont shop the vintage stores themselves. . .

Stephanie

Veteran

Mochi, you crack me up. My sister used to work in design for a Certain Major Retailer and the e-mails she would get from the marketing people were really hilarious. She would call and read them out loud to me.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I'm wondering why you think it's impractical. It's a great flat spring boot. It would fit your casual lifestyle. It's not going to be your only spring shoe. You'll have your other very practical, demure, quiet shoes (did you keep those brown CH oxfords?). But then you'll have some fun shoes for the times when you need to kick it. Not every shoe in your life needs to be black or brown. And I'm not saying you have to buy this one, but we are allowed to have a little fun in our shoe wardrobe once in a while.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hm, this 46-year-old would wear those! Ha! *rolls eyes at marketing people*

Seriously, they're cool boots. I think they'd be great to punch a bit of attitude into an otherwise-simple skinnies or leggings-based outfit.

Abie

Veteran

I think I like them! I would love to see how you style them. I'm not sure I love them against the solid black leggings, but I think if there were a little more texture in the rest of the outfit they would look great. I think they would be super cute with skinnies, and also casual dresses with bare legs.

Isis

Veteran

I think it's a great ad!

We're focussing on the age, 26, but they are just as specific about Donavon and the Deers (!) and dogs.

So also not for a 23 yr old cat lover who is into Skrillex.

Jonesy

Veteran

I agree with Rita and others--they seem perfectly practical to me! Why not go for them? Live a little :)!

Mochi

Veteran

I'll definitely be trying them on, if they're available! Rita, I think of them as impractical because I probably have programmed myself to think that way? I'm working on rethinking that

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

These boots are very cool Mochi and I think would totally fit into your romantic punk style direction. Definitely worth trying!

HelenInCanada

Veteran

That aside is absolutely hilarious, Mochi! It is practically tailor-made for a specific person...how funny. I think the boots are an interesting and almost antique-looking style. Definitely something different that will add something fun to anything you're wearing.

Isabel

Veteran

Oh no, I just bought a Free People dress-thingy !!!!! And I am not 26....maybe I will bury it with me and wear it next time I am 26.

Good Luck with the boots.

Anonymous

I'm sorry but these look perfectly practical to me! I was expecting to see a high spiked heel or an open-toed snow boot. These would up the style quotient to an outfit built around basics.

The Free People demographic is a hoot. They should be called "Dreaming People".

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I just realized that their demographic profile actually fits me quite well... Except the part where I have an extra two decades.

Mochi

Veteran

Oh dear, glad you all found that funny. Some of us in our forties actually have disposable income, you know. Ah well. At least they're not like Abercrombie and Fitch, where I've heard floor people have been trained to be insolent and ignore customers, especially if they're not "cool."

I'll let you know if I get to try this, and how it works. One of these days, I'll also explain the fun concept of "Shoe Math" that I learned on another online forum. You'll all appreciate it.

Stephanie

Veteran

I just saw the boots (sorry, I was distracted by the marketing ridiculousness before) and I am DYING to see them on you. *Please* try them.

PS. My sister tells me that sheer is going to be big in California this year, if you were wondering.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Sadly, I can't see the picture of the boot, but that marketing text cracks me up. I should have taken up a career where I could have written stuff like that. Le sigh.

Elly

Veteran

It's almost as if they don't think most young women are confident enough to be "free people," like it is a rarity for 26-year-olds to be comfortable in their own skin. Someone went to a corporate brainstorming session about their "target demographic" and messed up and posted someone's 10 minute free write on the website.

Mochi

Veteran

For Amy, pic below:

And I know, right? I have had a short-lived career writing copy, but not with such creative flair (and it was not in fashion or anything cool.) It sounds like it would be fun but at the same time, unless you've truly drunk the Kool-Aid, part of you would be cringing while writing it.

And speaking of freedom, it is time for me to turn on my Mac Freedom app to get offline for a few hours This site is way too addicting!

http://macfreedom.com/

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MNsara

Veteran

mochi - are you too young to remember Seinfeld's Elaine and her job writing copy for J. Peterman catalog? Either cringing, or in hysterics, while writing it. . .

nancylee

Veteran

Those are some pretty cool boots! Keep us posted on what you discover....

As far as the FP demographic goes, I'm surprised my FP jacket doesn't burst into flames when I put it on my non-26-year-old body!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Joining Team These Boots are Totally Practical! I really hope you get to try them on - retailers need to all get with the free shipping already. And wouldn't you know, you had to fall in love with a pair only sold through FP. :T

And for the record, FP... I'm sorry, but I don't know that many 26-year-olds who can afford you as their lifestyle brand. o_0 Not at full price, anyway.

Meredith1953

Veteran

They are really cute in a sort of "otherworldly" way. They almost look like they might fly away. I really like the Gatwickk boot on the same page!

Mochi

Veteran

Of course I had to break my vow of a few hours of internet abstinence to tell you that I did order them! I had no choice--according to the customer service rep, FP doesn't carry shoes in-store.

They actually have a lot of shoes and boots I really like. Let's try this one out first. I'm looking forward to injecting some romantic into my wannabe punk urban stay at home freelance writer and internet commentator style.

Isabel

Veteran

Mochi, a self-imposed vow of no internet ??? WE are not the Internet, we are a sisterhood. How is that for a loop ?

I just started reading an article about a young person who decided to sacrifiec for 72 hours ( or something ) by giving up technology. A new twist on Lent.

Mochi

Veteran

It would be tough for me. Seriously. If I was physically removed from computers and smartphones I would be fine. Having them in reach but trying to avoid them--I haven't gone there yet.