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What shade of brown riding boots most versatile? Pics added at end.

tammyw

I've been looking for brown riding boots for going on three years now! I've just never found a pair I loved (while I never have a problem finding black boots I love!) I also have finicky feet that are a teensy bit wide at the toe box (while not technically "wide")

The only boots I've liked this year in terms of style have been chocolate brown. I was thinking that a cognac colored boot would be more versatile though.

Any thoughts on this? What color will be more versatile for the long-term?

This is the kind of look I like - especially the image on the far right:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--QB6.....wn,+and+gr

I just don't think chocolate brown fits?

ETA: Can anyone share their favorite high quality cognac boot links? I'm seriously struggling!!!

UPDATE: I posted pictures to the Frye Melissa at the bottom of this thread for advice!

Shopping

40 replies

Latest reply was from thinkingfish

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Cognac. I find dark brown shoes/boots hard to work into outfits, but cognac goes with everything

Anonymous

The color that most closely matches or blends with the shade of your hair will be the most versatile. If you wear lots of black, you may want the cognac for contrast. Unless you really need boots, don't settle because you will still be looking for the pair that you really want.

Wendi1984

So, Joy, do you think I should look for tan boots, since I have blonde hair? I have been searching for ankle boots.

Thistle

Veteran

Cognac, IMHO. And I agree with Joy. Don't settle. You will still be looking for a cognac pair in a year even if you get chocolate brown now!

tammyw

Thanks for the confirmation! Cognac makes total sense to me.

Can anyone share links to their favorite high quality cognac boots? I agree on not settling. I've done that before and just end up replacing them down the road. I'd rather spend the money up front and have something that will last (both quality and simple style).

Alassë

Veteran

Chocolate brown can be quite versatile (speaking as a brunette); for you, I'd skip. What colors do you wear most in bottoms?

tammyw

Alasse - I wear lots of neutrals. In the winter, jeans, black pants, ponte knits, etc. My hair is is goldish/reddish brown.

Alassë

Veteran

Cognac sounds like the perfect bookend, then! It will contrast well with dark denim & black, too.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I love cognac but it's a hard color to find. I'm thinking FRYE might have them since they mostly do real leather but I haven't had a chance to look there lately.

tammyw

I've tried Frye. Most of their styles feel too rugged for my style, if that makes sense. I like the looks of this style:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/to.....onalizedso

But I tried a pair of Tory Burch boots last year and they really hurt (I'm not sure if they're extra narrow or what!)

Why is it so hard to find beautiful and high quality cognac boots?! So frustrating! It would seem from their popularity and versatility that they should be everywhere

Thanks for all the advice so far. So glad I finally joined here instead of lurking!

Diana

Veteran

Definitely cognac. That are super popular here in new England so I should think there would be a good selection in stores and online.

I am wearing mine today, actually. Can't help with brands as mine are old though.

Here is a selection on zappos. I selected "brown" and "tan" as colors, and I see a lot of cognac coming up.
http://www.zappos.com/womens-b.....tyle/desc/

JAileen

Veteran

How about this one in redwood (I can't get it to reference that color)

http://www.zappos.com/frye-mel.....-brush-off

tammyw

JAileen - I tried those. The browns I tried were really dark, and my husband strangely hated them!

These Cole Haans are on sale right now over at amazon. I'm just not sure of the quality?

http://www.zappos.com/cole-haa.....ot-sequoia

JAileen

Veteran

Sorry I meant to reference the redwood color! I have the Melissa Button which is a little more western, but has very simple clean lines.

tammyw

Oh whoops JAileen. You're right. I tried on the dark brown and they were so dark they were almost black!

CindyH

I had been "craving" brown boots for over a year. So, I ordered some chocolate brown ones. Besides being too dark, they were too stiff. Took them back to Macy's and got the Franco Sarto Pacer boot in the Brandy Leather.

Wearing them today and they are fabulous! They look like the last photo from the montage you posted.

BTW - did you get that photo from the "Pinterest told me to" blog? Just curious.

Sorry I lack skills in linking...

tammyw

Hi Cindy! Thanks for the response. I saw the pictures on pinterest and then I guess that's where the link led? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention, but I just looked and that seems right. Was that okay? I am not up on the protocol of linking I'll have to go and check that blog out now as it seems interesting!

Gigi

Veteran

I would vote for cognac as being more versatile than chocolate, because you will get a high contrast whether you wear them with dark pants (dark denim, black) or lighter-colored pants (taupe, cream).

I know what you mean about being frustrated finding the right color of boots. I can hardly find anything brown, period. Everything is black, black, black. When I was in Macy's the other day and the SA asked me what color boots I was looking for, I said, "Brown," and she said, "Everyone wants brown!" And I said, "That's because we're all sick of black!" So many styles come only in black now. It's tough.

VernieJane

Cognac, all the way! It's super trendy right now, and it looks great with black, ink blue, and blends well with all the patterened materials that are big now too. Cognac is a classy colour... chocolate Brown is a classic, but not as trendy right now. I bought a pair of cognac coloured low boots 3 years ago and I wound up wearing them every day almost... they just go great with everything, especially jeans or black leggings...

CindyH

Tammy -- I am sure it's okay about posting the pic. I was just curious if you read that particular blog. I recognized the picture you posted as one of hers (at least I think it's hers). But, she is on Pinterest too, as her blog is called "Pinterest Told Me To!" .

tammyw

CindyH - after you pointed that out, I went and read her blog. It's very good! I got some good ideas I'm glad you noticed that!

Ariadne

Veteran

Do you want heels? If not, and if you have the budget for them, I've seen a lot of love for these in the style blogosphere:
http://www.loefflerrandall.com.....tegoryID=0

I have these in cognac and love them:
http://www.amazon.com/indigo-C.....B0070SY62S

tammyw

Thank you Ariadne. I ended up placing an order for two different pairs yesterday. We shall see if either work out! They will arrive Thursday, so I don't have to wait long to find out

shemarie

Hi tammyw, I missed this thread earlier, but I'm glad to see you went with the cognac. I bought cognac boots three years ago and I absolutely adore them. My hair is strawberry blonde, without the brown, but these boots bookend beautifully and I'm sure they will for you too. They give everything a very "luxe" feel. You'll have to post pics when they come...can't wait to see!

tammyw

Okay, I got both the Cole Haans and Frye Melissa Harness in Redwood.

1. Cole Haans - HATE! They have zero character, no variation in color, and they just seemed cheap. I didn't really love them in the picture, but I figured maybe they'd be nicer IRL. Nope!

2. I really like the Frye Melissa in the Redwood color. The biggest problem is they aren't tight on my calves. Should they be? My black boots (AGL) are definitely more fitted in the calf, but they are also dressier than this Frye style. Also, the insides of my black boots are black, so it's not really so noticeable, whereas the inside of these Frye boots is a light tan. On the other hand, I can't imagine these boots being tight on anyone's calves, so I'm thinking it's just the style? I don't think I have abnormally small calves. I didn't get a picture - sorry!

tammyw

I was able to take a few pictures to show the Frye Melissa on. Please tell me if these are fitting right? I just threw on a pair of leggings (hence cropping so close!), because before this, I was wearing my pajamas I tried to take these from various angles to show the fit. And I didn't color balance (was using my dslr) so ignore that these aren't perfect.

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Gigi

Veteran

Hi, Tammy,
Those boots are gorgeous! I do think that they are a little big around the calf, however. Even if you don't consider yourself to have small calves, the circumference on boots varies widely (no pun intended), and you probably happened to buy a pair that has a more generous calf. If you absolutely love these boots, you can take them to a shoe repairman and see if he can narrow the calf a bit. Sometimes they can, sometimes they can't. I had a pair of boots altered in the calf, and it cost me $70.

tammyw

Thanks Gigi. I really wouldn't feel comfortable getting boots adjusted. I'd be too afraid! I'm just nervous I will never find a pair that's perfect at this rate. I do think this style is larger as I tried same style, different color, at nordstrom and they fit the same way.

Gigi

Veteran

If you're at Nordstrom, you could maybe have the salesperson measure your calf, and they could perhaps come up with a list of boots that they carry that would fit you. I think if you go online, they might even have a search where you can search by calf circumference, so you could even be prepared before you show up.

I don't blame you for being nervous about getting boots adjusted. It's kind of scary, because you never know if they're going to be made too small. My last pair that I had adjusted does feel quite snug, but since they're leather, they should loosen up over time and be OK.

It can be very depressing going boot shopping when you get to calf fit. I wish the boot-making people could come up with some kind of system where calf fit wouldn't be so random. It almost seems like you need a narrow, medium, and wide calf fit, like you have with regular shoes.

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