Thanks, Patty!

Andrea, I definitely wouldn't want to wear that combination, it's true. I guess people here are just naturally more hesitant when it comes to negative connotated items than in other countries. It's always a touchy subject and nobody wants to risk giving a wrong impression!
I guess I could consider stretching them, I'm not sure how expensive that would be? I also know there are some tricks to speed up the process of breaking them in. And it's true, these are too expensive for keeping them just to never wear them!

Thanks, Rae. This really may be a question of adjusting my eye to them. I think I just have to take one of my friends with me who's always wearing boots like these (http://www.amazon.de/TRUCK-200.....38;sr=8-39) - nobody will look at my boots! Would you say that yours got much wider after breaking them in?

Thanks, Jem! Did you wear them around home for a while? I know what you mean about the grey. I really liked the idea of grey ones too after seeing them on the website, but I didn't like the grey ones much in the store. The color was somehow strange, a kind of dirty yellow-ish grey. What color are you considering instead?

Astrid, when I started wearing Docs back in the 80s it was to take back the negative associations - it was odd at first but also liberating.

Now onto how they look - I'd say K-worthy! You are not "all boots" at all, and I don't even find them all that noticeable. They look like a gorgeous pair of lace-up boots and do not scream anything other than fabness. It may take a little bit to get used to them, but I bet if you keep wearing them (or a better size) you will soon wonder how you lived without them. Which ones are these? They seem taller than calf height but not knee length either...

I am sooo contemplating a pair now!

Astrid, I love them on you and they look outstanding with BOTH tights. I particularly love the lighter gray tights on you (and your posing is adorable). Please keep them, if you can. Or, try a size larger and see how that works, by adding thicker socks. These socks are thick and soft:

http://www.worldssoftest.com/

As for the Docs, I just got the purple 20-eyelets and have not worn them, but they fit perfectly. I also have the Doc oxfords, but I have narrow, flat feet, so there's no sizing problem with mine. Yours are the 14-eyelet, right? I hope they work out for you, because you are a "natural" in them.

Yep, I had them sent to my mom's house in the US while I was there and I just wore them around her house for awhile. My ankles got sore if I wore them too long, but I could tell they would be comfortable. They felt a bit "conspicuous" at first, but I got used to that. I *really* liked how the grey went with outfits, but I just didn't think they looked "pretty" when I looked at them--definitely had a greenish cast to them. So, I sent them back, but I'm still sad about it. Funny thing is my husband loved them and my dad did, too! lol I'm thinking about the purple. I wish they made the blue in 20eye and I'd get those. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks, Una! I never saw it this way, but it makes sense - about taking the negative associations back. These are the 14 eyelets, but I'm rather on the short side, so they might look taller on me than on other people.

Thanks, Vicki! I could try one size up in the store and see if it would be worth to try to exchange these here. Although I really don't want to go back there, the people were so rude! I have short and rather square feet, the middle of my feet (don't know the term?) is fairly wide. I'm wearing my wool socks in the pics, but I'm not sure if I could add some more layers in the tights. I have to run now but I think I'll try that later, maybe it will work?

Jem, it sounds like you'll still have your happy ending with another color, that's great! Can't wait to see you in another color. There will be a few people with purple ones then!

Astrid! I think these docs look fantastic on you, absolutely fantastic! I understand you may need to get used to this look a bit, but I have a feeling you would grow fond of them very, very quickly.

About the fit: they are not too small length-wise, it's just the width that feels uncomfortably tight at the moment? Is there another store where you could try the next size up, just to check again how that feels on your feet?

FYI: I had mine stretched because my feet seem to have grown a size over the last few years. My beloved pewter 20 eyelets now don't fit anymore-( The stretching did help somewhat, but not enough to make the boots grow an entire size too. (that's a "length" issue, nothing to do with width, obviously).

I don't have much time to read other responses, judging by how many of them there are I'm guessing everyone is gushing over them

To my things just clicked with these Docs on. This completes your look so perfectly I can't stand it

I sure hope you can sort out the fit issues because they look amazing on you! Take a second look at the pictures you've posted - you HAVE to admit you look great in these. But...with footwear, comfort has to come first, so don't keep them unless they feel good.

I think they look great and natural on you, and they fit well with the photos you posted recently about your aspirational style. I hope you can get the width sorted out. I can't advise on that. Would men's shoes be an option? When I had docs they required some serious breaking in, especially where they rubbed my shin/calf, but after that were the most comfortable shoes.

Thanks, Inge! I think you're right that I would get used to them quickly, I think I'll keep them if I get the fit issue sorted. And yes, the length is alright, they are just not wide enough. I added a picture of the length in comparison with my other well fitting shoes, you can see that I don't need a bigger size length-wise. I could return to the store and try a size up, but the (rude) SA already told me when I asked the last time that a size up wouldn't be much wider. I'm not sure she was qualified though.

Ornella, you're guessing right! That's actually something a few people said, that they would fit perfectly. It's definitely been unanimous until now.

Thanks, missvee! I've gone back to the pics and you're right, I really like the way they look. I'm just not sure how much these will give on their own.

Thanks, Scarlet! Yes, that's true about my aspirational pics, good point! I don't think they have men's shoes in my size, my feet are too small (and they probably won't be purple). I've heard about the breaking in period from a few people, the consens seems to be that it's worth it.

Astrid,
They look very cute on you but if they are NOT comfy then size up if necessary.

I will join the rest of the choristers who say these boots look fabulous on you. However, you are the only one who knows how they feel. Maybe you can scope out the store to see if you can go back on Mean Woman's day off or during her lunch break? I am the type who tries on several sizes of the same shoe, and once I have scoped out the best size, I like to try on multiple pairs since they sometimes vary a bit from shoe to shoe. Maybe some are more stretched out than others. IMHO, these babies are too expensive for you to make a costly mistake and have them just sit in your closet because they hurt too much to wear. If the boots fit great in the a.m., they will probably stretch enough to be good in the late p.m. when your feet are swollen. But if they are bad in the a.m., I personally would be hesitant. . . .

But looks wise, these boots are a wonderful juxtaposition with you hair and favorite silhouette. Hope they work, but a sad good-bye if they hurt.

I'm afraid I'm a bit wary of hoping things will stretch out, I have a couple of pairs of shoes that never did and docs are so expensive. I would definitely try a larger size remind the sa the customer is always right x

Thanks, Meredith, you're right!

Thanks, Donna. I think I'll be going back to try one size up, just to see if it would solve the problem.

Louise, I think you're right. I'm going to try sizing up. I'll go tomorrow, they still have one size up on the website, so an exchange wouldn't be a problem. I'm going to try these here on one more time now with socks and everything, see if it still seems to be too tight.