Which color boots-Cognac or Chocolate brown? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Which color boots-Cognac or Chocolate brown?

Carole

Veteran

Angie's post today about Maria's shoe collection has me pondering those gorgeous Franco Sarto boots. I'm tall (5'9) and have trouble finding boots narrow enough in the calf so thought I should give these a try Love her chestnut color, but the YLF store shows the chocolate brown color. I originally thought I needed a dark brown pair of tall boots, but is the cognac color more versatile?

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Carole

Scarlet

Veteran

I love both colors, but I think dark brown is slightly more versatile.

Barbara

Veteran

Hmm, tough decision. I prefer the chocolate brown. Those boots are gorgeous!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think the chestnut has the possibility of being more versatile as you could pair it with both browns and blacks.. don't you think?

Carole

Veteran

Kim-Scarlet and Barbara-My first thought was that dark brown would be more veratile but I think I read somewhere about chestnut working for both browns and blacks, I never would have thought that before, but I learn so many new things here! I have a pair of tall black boots and a pair of gray slouch type boots so I am definetly needing a brown pair. Can you wear chesnut color with, say, a dark chocolate color leather moto jacket?

Scarlet

Veteran

So, the thing is I actually had both, although my brown boots are no longer, and although the chestnut is very versatile, it is more of a color in and of itself, and less of a neutral, so in the end the dark brown works with more. However I am someone who is big on color harmony, and other people aren't, so they wouldn't be as bothered by it. I also have a chestnut leather jacket and a dark brown one, and I find that the dark brown one is more versatile even though I actually like the chestnut color more. I think it really depends on how you personally like to mix colors.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I think the dark brown ones are probably more versatile, but not as striking a color or as beautiful as the cognac...big help, huh?

Anonymous

I own both colors. The brown ones are orphans because of their style, not the color. My cognac ones I love but refuse to wear in bad weather, rain, etc. I dislike how the lighter color "darkens" temporarily in spots if and when they get wet. In this particular boot, i like the darker brown better. It might still be ok with black since it does not look too dark.

Kate

Veteran

Carole, I think the chestnut can work with both brown and black. I wear my cognac booties with both browns and black, and same with my tan/chestnut belts.

Re your question: Can you wear chestnut color with, say, a dark chocolate color leather moto jacket?

I think it depends on your hair color, and I think your hair is light enough that the answer is yes. If you hair were darker than the jacket, then I would try to find a pair of boots that are a similar color to your jacket or hair, to "bookend" the look. However since I think your hair is probably lighter than the jacket, then the chestnut boots will look balanced even if the jacket is darker.

Lisa

Veteran

I vote chestnut, the lighter color will look fab on you. I own dark brown boots, but they are my black replacement as I don't wear much black and my hair and features are on the lighter side. And you mentioned already owning a black pair.

Marigold

I love the lighter (cognac) pair... The color looks awesome with brown, blacks and grays.. It really stands out much more so than a darker pair would. *But* saying so, I hate how the cognac colored leather boots darken in rain, just like it was pointed out, however, as it won't be your only pair of boots, I vote Yes for cognac.. They're truly beautiful.

Kristine

Veteran

I've been eyeing up that same pair! I have a soft spot for cognac, I think it's the prettiest color for boots. If you go with dark brown it's harder to wear with black, while cognac will look intentional with either black or brown I think.

Carole

Veteran

Scarlett-I think I'm like you. Deep down, I am more confident when my colors are in harmony as you put it. I have tried to branch out a little and challenge my conservative nature, but I don't want to buy something on the pricey side and have it sit in my closet regretting my choice.

Biscuitsmon-Just like you, I love the cognac color, but fear it might be harder to wear for me.

Zapotee and Isabella-you make a good point about the discoloring, I didn't realize this could happen, that might make them a deal breaker for me as I live in the Pacific NW-loads of rain here.

Kate and Lisa- I hadn't thought about the bookending affect, that is something I should consider too. My hair is kind of redish brown (thanks to my wonderful hairdresser) so that would compliment the chesnut color-oh dear this is getting hard....

Kristine-I had always thought you had to match dark brown to dark brown, black to black, chestnut to chestnut, so this is venturing into unknown terriitory for me.

Well, votes are pretty evenly distributed although Chestnut is ahead by just a hair 5 to 6. Hmmmmmm. Hopefully others will chime in and help me sort this out...Thanks for your help everyone!

Anonymous

Carole : Just wanted to clarify : The discoloring, if it happens, is not permanent. What I mean is that you can see where the boots are wet since the leather darkens (water spots). Once the boots dry up, the color goes back to normal.

Carole

Veteran

Zapotee-got it! Thanks for clarifying!

Kari

Veteran

Carole, I'm VERY biased because I love the chestnut/cognac color - but I can also tell you that my own cognac boots are by far the most-worn boot in my wardrobe. If I had to discard every other boot and wear one style for the rest of my life, those would be it. I even pair them often with black, and have found them to be more versatile than my chocolate brown pair.
Also, based on the colors I've seen you wear lately, I think you'd get a lot of mileage out of the warm color that the cognac boots give off. They would look so, so pretty with your green shirtdress!

Tanya

Veteran

Another vote for chestnut: they will bookend your hair, would look great with both black and brown, and I personally prefer cognac with chocolate brown leather jacket as opposed to a matching color.

Anonymous

Carole, I changed my mind ( shaking head). I just looked at the pics using my laptop ( I was using my cell @ work). The chocolate brown looks a lot darker than I thought. If so, go with the cognac.
I wonder if Angie saw the chocolate brown ones IRL

Jonesy

Veteran

Well, I have to vote cognac/chestnut, but only you can really know yourself and your habits...If you just *know* you won't wear them much in that color, don't get them!

Reneeb

Veteran

I vote Cognac

Carole

Veteran

Kari-thanks for chiming in, it helps to know how much you love and wear this color -

Tanya, Zapotee,Jonesy and Reneeb; I'm beginning to think this would be the right choice for me-just different than I would have picked for myself up until now. I always wore my dark brown boots tons, but they are short under jean type boots and they need to be replaced.

Thanks so much for all your help-your collective experience with boots has helped me make this tough desicion

Carole

Veteran

Now the problem is the YLF store only shows black and chocolate brown.

Sparky

Veteran

Uh oh. Well, that's the power of YLF (everyone buying those boots up!). Carole, you can sign up to be notified by email when your size comes back in stock in the cognac color, if you want.

I'm not voting b/c I love both colors and am having a hard time figuring out which might be more versatile for you.

Jonesy

Veteran

They are definitely available elsewhere online, if you need to go that route.

I do think the chestnut ones will be stunning with your hair color!! One more thing to add, sort of a personal testimonial: I bought some Frye boots this summer. They were called gray online, and they looked gray, and they filled a gap in my wardrobe. When they arrived, they were beautiful, but they were not gray. They are a taupe color. But they felt really great on my feet and I loved how they looked. So I decided to keep them, and you know, I have been wearing them a ton, with all sorts of different color combos. I have become more creative--maybe you will be inspired too, especially as you wear them and soak up the compliments!

Carole

Veteran

Thanks Sparky for the tip!

Jonesy-yes, it does help to change things up a bit to get the creative juices flowing. I'm ready for a change!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The chestnut is sold out almost everywhere! I hope it comes back into stock.

I vote brown for Carol.

Marley

Veteran

Definitely the chestnut!

Carole

Veteran

Well Angie and Marley, I'm just seeing your votes...how did this slip by me?

Because my feet are so fussy, I won't buy shoes online unless I can try them on. Especially boots because you have the added difficulty of finding the right circum. too (something I didn't realize was essential until last year, thanks to Angie!) So off I went to Macy's yesterday as I was able to find the Franco Sarto boots almost identical to the ones in the YLF store. They don't have the little detail at the top of the boots but are essentially the same just plain, if that makes sense. Anyway, I think I have a winner, they didn't have the chocolate, just the cognac color, but home they came with me.

Do they fit right at the calf- Is this close enough? Also, now I know they fit and are comfortable I could return these and get the chocolate in the YLF store if you think I should...What do you think? Thanks so much for your help!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Oh I'm so glad you found some. I love the cognac color and think it will be really versatile. That's what I am putting on my wishlist for my birthday in January- knee high boots in cognac.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER, Carole.

So glad you found fab chestnut boots! Living in the PNW, you'll wear them right up till Summer time.

12