Versatile, on-trend cognac booties? - Update: bought a pair (pictures) - YouLookFab Forum

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Versatile, on-trend cognac booties? - Update: bought a pair (pictures)

Anonymous

I'm looking for a pair of cognac booties that I can mix with clothing in black and other neutrals and can wear both at work (in a pretty casual office) and for weekend outfits. I have a lot of boots for fall/winter, but most of them are black and most of my non-black pairs aren't that versatile, so I'm thinking cognac booties are a good way to get something a little different that will go with a lot of my wardrobe.

When left to my own devices, I tend to settle and end up with boots that are comfortable, but look slightly frumpy, so I was hoping for feedback on choosing something clean and current enough to upgrade my outfits a bit.

Other factors:

I do a lot of walking, so I'm looking for something that has a low, walkable heel or is completely flat (the latter of which might be a bridge too far in terms of actually existing along with everything else I'm looking for).
These would be worn mostly with dresses and tights/leggings. It's a nice bonus if they also work with skinny jeans or bare legs, but dresses and tights are what I wear the most.
I'm very short with nicely shaped yet not-especially-slender calves, but tiny ankles and feet, so some booties can look hoof-like on me. Which I'm obviously trying to avoid with these.

I have a few potential possibilities:

Madewell Billie in pecan: These are probably my favorite, but they're backordered for over a month online in my likely size (5 1/2), so I only want to deal with waiting for them or calling to see if I can maybe track some down in-store if I'm really, really certain they're the ones. https://www.madewell.com/madew...../03822.jsp
Nine West Hollyday in cognac leather: Cute, but too cowboy-ish? http://www.zappos.com/nine-west-hollyday
Nordstrom BP Trolley in burnished cognac: Also cute, but I'm afraid the narrower ankle opening may put them in hoof territory for me, and also wonder if they might not look as good in terms of quality. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bp.....ot/3194050

Should I hold out for the Madewells, order one of the others, or maybe keep looking? Thanks in advance for any feedback or suggestions! Also, if you've made it this far into this giant newbie infodump, thanks for reading!

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from

RunswithDolphins

I think you've found 3 really great pair of booties. My first choice is #1. I totally get the how tracking them down in your size could be a challenge but I do think it might be worth the effort.

Anonymous

Thanks, RunswithDolphins! You may be right there….

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

As or the ones you posted I prefer #1. I got one pair of BP boots and the quality of leather is pretty bad so I don't trust this brand anymore.
I just got these and I think they are on trend and pretty comfy.

Greyscale

Veteran

I have two pairs of Madewell boots and I'm continually impressed by the quality, for what it's worth. And one pair was shipped to me from another store location, so I think they're pretty helpful about doing that.

Gigi

Veteran

You could order the two "runners up" and see how they fit while you wait to get the Madewells on backorder. Are you able to return the Madewells if you don't like them?

Do you think that the 3" heel on the BP Trolley is too high for an everyday walking shoe? I think that the narrower opening on these might actually look better with the leggings and tights. I think I read somewhere that if you're going to wear booties with a skirt, the tops of the booties need to be pretty snug around your leg. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong. It might be something that I notice more on myself because I am short, so I have to be a little more streamlined in the leg area.

Anonymous

Thanks to everyone who replied!

Sveta, those are pretty and may be worth a try! And I think you're right about the leather of BP shoes not being great. I have a pair of more rugged boots from them that look okay, but probably should go with something a little nicer for a more polished style like this.

Greyscale, that's good to know about the quality at Madewell. I have a few pieces of clothing from there, but have never tried the shoes.

Gigi, I should be able to return the Madewells if they don't work. I've tried the BPs on in another color in-store, so I think the heel would be okay, although it's probably about the upper limit for me. For some reason, I always thought booties with a slightly wider opening were more flattering on me because they made my legs look thinner, but I could also see sleeker and narrower looking better. I think I'm just kind of clueless in general on how booties should fit, actually.

Actually, there's a Madewell that's semi-convenient to me, and seeing other people agree that these are the best of the three is making me second-guess my laziness about not just going there in person. I may try to get there tomorrow and at least try on whatever size they have to see whether they're actually comfy/flattering on me.

Thistle

Veteran

Zappos and Nordies has free shipping free returns, so might be worth a try and to see how comfy they are.

Wendi1984

Cute boots! I was excited to read this thread, because I'm seeking a great pair of ankle boots myself (hoping to find them and "suggest" that my husband get them for me for Christmas). I would wear them with skinny jeans and ponte pants, as well as dresses and skirts. I am thinking that cognac would be versatile for me, too. Out of the ones you mentioned, I think I like the Madewell best. I'd go for the Nine West ones if they were a bit lower.

What do you think of these?

Or these? (Hard to tell what color they are in real life, but they might be cognac.)

Or how about these?

Anonymous

I like the Nine West the best.

Anonymous

Thanks to Thistle, Wendi, and Zapotee for replying! (After lurking for so long, it's weirdly exciting to see people actually respond to me.) Wendi, thanks for finding those links. I especially like the Nine West and Dolce Vita ones you posted (and they're even flat too!), and may have to give those a look.

Wendi1984

Glad I could help. I have been pinning ideas for awhile, trying to figure out what I like and what would be versatile. Let us know what you find!

Anonymous

So I went to look at the Madewell boots yesterday afternoon, and it turns out that the size 6 actually fits with insoles or slightly thicker socks. In fact, with the way these fit, I'm thinking there's a good chance 5 1/2 would actually end up being snug. They're a really nice shade of cognac, warm and not too light or dark, seem comfy enough to hold up to everyday walking around, and look every bit as cute and versatile as they did online. So, in a rare show of decisiveness, I brought they home with me. Yay!

Here's a few pictures of them thrown on with today's work outfit just for the heck of it. What do you guys think? Am I missing anything glaringly wrong? (Besides my messy, overstuffed sock drawer.)

Note: I put on gray socks just because they're the first pair I grabbed and I'm realizing that they're a little visible at the top. In real life, I would probably try to wear pairs that blend more with the boots or tights, or that are low enough not to show.

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Anonymous

Wow. Those look great! I love how you paired them with dark tights.

I laughed at your hoof description. I think I look like a horse when I pair booties with dresses/skirts. Something about long legs, skinny ankles, and nobby knees.

Wendi1984

Cute! They look like they'll go with almost anything.

Scarlet

Veteran

That is a really fine looking bootie. Hope you have lots of fun with them.

LoveSarahDub

(website)

Love those! They look GREAT against your black tights. These were an awesome choice; so versatile!

Gigi

Veteran

Those look so cute! I'm a little concerned about the sizing...if they are leather, they may stretch some. Do you think it would be safer to order the 5.5 too, just to be sure? You can keep the 6's till you get the 5.5's. I would hate for your new booties to fit nicely now but have them "grow" and get too big for you in a month.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like them! And think the 6 is fine, I think you can put in an insole if they stretch a little.* In my experience stretch happens most easily with cheaper suedes and suedes in general.

They have the appearance of looking slightly narrow, is that true?

*Said by someone who much prefers looseness to snugness in footwear so take with a grain of salt.

Anonymous

Thanks, everyone!

Gigi, I was sort of considering that. But then I realized that I'm just too impatient to keep these unworn for a over a month of prime bootie-wearing season while I wait for the others!

CocoLion, I think they are a little on the narrow side. My feet are pretty narrow and they don't seem wide on me.

Marin, I'm envious of your long legs! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who worries about looking barnyard animal-like in booties!