Thinking of duplicating boots

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has me thinking of getting a new pair of knee-high boots.

Mainly I'm a little tired of the brown pair that I have, the Born Sosie from a few years ago, which is just like the Born Roxie below. Mine are a shade called "tan brush-off." They are a weathered looking shade that I think of as tobacco brown; it's a brown that has an ever so slight olive tinge that goes really nicely with my wardrobe. They are super comfortable, and I can wear them with tights or over skinny pants. I don't know why I'm feeling the urge for new ones, although I will say that when I bought them, I felt they were a serviceable boot I could wear for a few years. I wanted a brown boot and they fit the bill, for a reasonable price.

I also have the Donald J. Pliner Devi, from two years ago, in black. I love them. I had to have them then, and I still love them now. I have re-heeled them once. They are my perfect black boot. They fit over skinny pants and also look great with tights.

My other knee-high boots are Pikolinos from several years ago, smooth leather, wedge heel, that fit closely on my calf and go with stockings or tights only. Not over pants. They are my version of a refined, or dressy boot. They are still good and serve their purpose.

So far from NAS I have tried the Aquatalia Obsession and the AGL Italia, each in a beautiful deep shade of espresso. Neither fit my calf. Today I brought home the Ecco Sullivan, in moonstone (gray). I thought they looked nice on me in the store, but when I got them home, I realize they are not a shade of gray that plays well in my closet. I would need a more brown gray (that Angie calls "donkey"), or taupe. So back they will soon go!

I have browsed around, mostly online, for non-NAS boots and not found anything that looks exciting or promising for me. I'm carefully reading calf circumferences (mine is 15.5"--curiously, the Devi is listed as having a 14" circumference, so it may have changed, or these measurements may not be all that definitive, because my Devis fit nicely!). And I'm looking for just those shades that will go with my wardrobe: deep, dark browns or taupes, and either of these with a greenish undertone. Cognac shades are lovely but not me. Those criteria alone eliminate a lot of possibilities, even before we get into what's-my-style considerations.

It has occurred to me to try the Devi 3 in brown, but I kept rejecting the idea. I'm not sure it's quite the right shade of brown--maybe a little too reddish. (Haven't seen it in person, though.) Then it dawned on me: the Devi 3 comes in olive this year!! A favorite neutral of mine. The idea of an olive Devi is really appealing to me. But the boot is such a distinct style. And I'm not a big duplicator--except in layering tees and the like, oh and I have a few pairs of AGL ballet flats (which, hmmm, are they like layering tees for the feet?? kind of a basic style).

Well, if you've followed me this far, what are your thoughts? I haven't seen the olive Devi IRL. I could order it and try it out. But is it even worth heading down that path? Do I really want to duplicate this boot? Or I could just continue on with my current boots, which honestly are just fine. Thanks for any musings you wish to share!

Nordstrom

Crown By Born Crown by Børn 'Roxie' Boot (Nordstrom Exclusive) (Women)

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Nordstrom

Aquatalia By Marvin K. Aquatalia by Marvin K .'Obsession' Tall Boot (Nordstrom Exclusive) (Women)

$550.00 $274.98

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Attilio Giusti Leombruni 'Italia' Tall Boot (Nordstrom Exclusive) (Women)

$575.00 $287.49

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Nordstrom

Ecco 'Sullivan' Leather Boot (Women)

$279.95 $169.90

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Nordstrom

Donald J Pliner 'Devi 3' Boot (Women)

$398.00 $198.98

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10 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

If I truly loved the boot and truly loved and could use the new color, I would duplicate. There are probably more duplicated items in my closet than not and I get a ton of use out of them. I duplicated the Okalas and they are distinctive. I think you just have to figure out if you're a happy duplicator or not! I love duplicating because it saves me a lot of shopping time and trouble, and because I prefer a more minimal, uniform style of dressing.

missvee

The olive looks like kind of a camo print - might be worth ordering just to see if you like it with your wardrobe. Personally I wouldn't worry about duplicating, especially footwear. When you get a style that you like and it's comfortable, why not?

crutcher

Then on the other hand...you have an adequate wardrobe of boots...ready to go...I guess unless it was absolute true love, I would pass and find something else a bit different while enjoying the lovely boots I already have...

Suz

(website)

Would the new Pliners fill the same wardrobe hole as your current, less-loved brown boots? Maybe you should order the olive and try it with your things to see how you feel about the colour substitute.

I can see it working really well in your closet.

But if it doesn't fill the "brown" wardrobe hole (meaning you'd still need a pair of brown, eventually) I'm not so sure. It depends how often you wear tall boots that are not rain proof. Because if you are unlikely to get enough use from 4 pairs of tall leather boots per season -- (by the numbers -- as we say around here, Mo is Right!) -- in that case, you might be better to pass.

It won't hurt to look, though.

For me, tall boots are such a difficult fit that I might be tempted to duplicate in a different colour. You don't find well fitting boots on trees, so to speak.

rae

I think you ought to figure out why you are tired of the current ones. Is it the particular shade of brown, or are you totally off brown and in need of a taupe? Or is it the style? Or do you need more variety? I am a happy duplicator like Adelpha, but some aren't. And if you are tired of your current boots, I'd be a little wary of getting another one, unless color is your only issue.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Adelfa, it sounds like you are indeed an experienced duplicator. Thanks for your insights! I am not minimal and not particularly uniform, so that gives me food for thought.

Missvee, it does look kind of camo in the picture, doesn' it? The style is definitely one I like. It's a good fit with my arty and boho tendencies.

Crutcher, that's really true. It's not like I need boots to fill a wardrobe hole.

Suz, you have got me thinking about whether I could or would donate the Borns if I had the olive pair. I might. I wear the Borns with charcoal gray a lot, and with jeans, especially when I'm wearing tops that have olive or sage shades in them. I have a couple of dresses in brown tones that go with the brown boots or with black, and one of them would go with olive, too. I don't think I'd be leaving anything out in the cold by substituting olive for the brown I have.
And this whole question has me thinking more about brown. . . I've been trying to move away from black, because it's not the best color for me. So I've been trying to get more brown into my wardrobe. But I find I don't wear it all that much (I mean, I do wear what I have, but it hasn't replaced black, for example). And I much prefer olive as a core neutral. It has been abundant this past spring, which made me happy. That makes me wonder whether there won't be more olive boot options next fall. Or even as this season progresses.
Rainproof is another issue. The current Borns are easy to wear in the rain, because they look the same whether I polish them or not. But I've gotten less worried about wearing the DJPs in the rain, too, because they are this odd distressed suede that hasn't been hard to maintain. I just spray with protector and go. Still, a bigger investment in a more-loved pair of boots would make me more careful with them than I am now with the Borns.

Rae, that's a really good question. I'm not sure I've yet pinpointed why I'm interested in a different pair. I think it's a matter of style mainly. The Borns seem to be less of a "wow" boot to me. Wow as in beautiful quality or style. I got them when I didn't have any tall boots I could wear over skinnies.

Well, lots of things to think about. Thanks for helping me to focus and giving me things to ask myself. It really helps to have some other perspectives.

Full disclosure: I have purchased a pair of olive booties and absolutely can't wait to wear them!!!!

DonnaF

Double points end tonight.

Colour is a big part of how I get dressed, while I tend not to vary the style of items so much, so I would be happy with the same well-fitting boot in multiple colours; they wouldn't feel like duplicates to me. But it sounds as if you prefer distinct styles as well as colours. Since it's Nordstroms, you can always order it & see it in person before deciding. But of course, if you see it & love it you'll be much more tempted to rationalize keeping it! So perhaps you're wise trying to decide before ordering.

Ooh, Donna, that is a point I had not considered....about points!!

Adelfa, I am laughing at your full disclosure, but I also can't wait to see them on you!
Oh, Donna, that's funny, but I had totally lost track of that little fact.
E, I appreciate your thought. I'm not sure I would mind duplicating in this case. I tend to choose between my brown and black boots based on color now (the ones that are similar--the sleeker ones are in their own category).
Yes, Suz, the double-points point. I suppose if I don't buy them during double points, I could put some Nordstrom notes toward them, instead.

Can I just blame it on Donna now? I placed an order for a couple more camisoles, a pair of running shorts, a skin care item, and oh, also some olive boots. DH said something to the effect of, "oh, yeah. I like those boots [meaning the black ones I have]. Olive would be nice." Then on second thought, he wondered if I might get tired of the style faster if I had two pairs of them. Hmmmm.

Oh, and Triple Points days in September. [Tee, hee, hee.] That's when I'm planning to order my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, some ridiculously expensive lipstick, and a few other things not likely to go on sale. I think other than one's personal day, Triple Points comes only once per year.

Oh, no, Donna! I wasn't even aware of triple points in September. Ooh, you are mischievous. But I do know there is a triple points event in the Spring, too!

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