Would you wear the same boots as your Mother in Law...

RoseandJoan

if you lived on the same street?

Not a trick question, my fab MIL, who does live on the same street has bought a pair of boots which have been on my wish list for the past month.

If you were in this situation would you still buy the boots?

These are the boots in question, they are stomping over frost and squelchy leaves boots rather than a fashion choice
http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/d.....s-20339343

15 years ago

General

36 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

bella

(website)

Veteran

My MIL and I don't even live on the same continent but it still drove me crazy when she purchased a bottle of every perfume I own. So, no I wouldn't wear the same boots as her but I might be overreacting.

15 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

If you love them, won't you always feel resentful if you don't have them and she does? If you want them why not get them and congratulate her on her good taste whenever you see her in hers!

Is there another similar one anywhere else?

15 years ago

Marley

Veteran

I don't see why not! Its not like they are "fashion" boots - they are just a good basic black boot for fall and winter - it doesn't sound as though it brings on a lot of intense emotions for you to be wearing the same thing as your MIL - and sometime MILs have great taste! (I'm a MIL, so I should know!)

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Polly, I'm sold on Clarks comfort rather than the styling and the fleecy lining does look so toasty. I have very strong preferences with regards to my fashion boots but these would be a practical purchase. Baring in mind I may need practical for 70% of the winter I wonder if comical could turn to annoyance after a while (I usually see her at least once a day).

Bella, my Mum does that also, she says it's to remind her of me when I'm away, so I can't be annoyed with a such a sweet rationale.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Marley, my Mother in Law has fabulous style but we usually have opposite taste in footwear.I wear heels, she wear walking shoes.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

it's not like you're both going to show up at the family reunion wearing them.

15 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

If you want them I would get them. They are practical for you climate. Did she know you wanted the boots?

15 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I used to have a fabulous pair of boots like the ones you linked to. Bally, they were. I lived in them. In fact I loved them so much I bought 3 pairs one after another as they wore out... [they were all re-heeled and re-soled until they fell apart]. I only didn't replace the last pair as they'd stopped making them. *Sigh* I've gone all nostalgic...

If you love them, get them, if you can do without them or find something else and feel happy about it, do that.

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

ha ha, this question really throws me because I can't imagine EVER wearing the same shoes as my MIL. But for your situation, I really don't see why not. It is a modest shoe, not a fashion item, so it's not like it's a faux pax to be stomping leaves in the same boot. I think it would be cute to have the same boots. If I were your MIL I would take it as a compliment.

15 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I wouldn't give it a second thought, owing to the fact that a) I love my MIL dearly, and b) the boots you linked to are great, but are not terribly unique looking. In the dead of winter, stomping through snow and over leaves, is anyone really going to notice? (And I can't say I'd mind if they did, again, they are a nice, but basic boot.)

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think I may be convinced but if I find myself the talk of the street you may have to listen to me whine, you have been warned. MPJ I also love my MIL.

15 years ago

Auburn

Veteran

I agree with the majority of posters here--not a big deal.
I almost think it would be worse if you were to hunt down something JUST like them, but not quite the same. If you like them and view them as a practical vs. fashion purchase, then I say godspeed! Particularly given how much you like your MIL--she'll likely be quite flattered!

15 years ago

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Ha - yes, we're always here for venting.

(And yes, I noted you called your MIL 'fab'. )

15 years ago

tina

Active Member

Not of my mother-in-law because our taste is very different, but my stepmom just bought herself, my sister, and I all the same boots. They're Ugg style and she found them at a great price. I won't wear them often, but I will wear them. They're toasty and soft for dog walking and such.

Get the boots! I also think your mil will be flattered.

15 years ago

Active Member

I probably would, because on more than one occasion I've realized my husband's GRANDMOTHER and I had the same shoes! Eeek!

I really like the look of the boots, by the way, and if your MIL is indeed fab, then it just shows that you both have great taste!

(My shoes matching GMIL's just showed we're both cheap!)

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fashion unites us - Style sets us apart. Your style is completely your own, Julie. You'd look totally different wearing these fabulous Clarks boots. I vote get the boots.

15 years ago

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Aside from the fact that my MIL is uhm.. shall we say NSF, yes. I don't care about "copy cats". I would actually get a big kick out of seeing a family member wearing the same item. I'd laugh and compliment then on their fantastic taste!

15 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Lovely boots, Julie! I think you should go ahead and get them, and enjoy toasty feet all winter long.

15 years ago

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

I think these boots are fairly neautral in style and I think that you could easily get away with owning them as well. Does your MIL tend to wear particularl shoes constantly for a long time, or does she have a massive shoe collection, so these babies would only come out to play on occasion?

Am I also allowed to be cheeky and say that my very first thought was "What size does she wear?" followed by "What size do you wear?" if you get my drift, for now, or in the future......

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I don't have a MIL, but if I did she'd be about the same age as many of the most killer-ly dressed 50-and-up YLFers. If she was as stylish as they are, I would copy her every move. Go for it!

15 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

Get 'em Julie. When I read your post, I had the same reaction as Angie. It's not as if the rest of your outfit is going to look the same. You will sport them in your own way and that will differentiate you. I bet no one on your street even notices that you have the same boots.

15 years ago

Active Member

Go for it - like others have said I bet noone ever notices ... apart from maybe your MIL!!

I have had items the same as my MIL in the past by accident and it doesn't bother me at all - we put them together in different ways so it really wouldn't be noticeable.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What have you decided, dear Julie?

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

If they pass the comfort test they should be part of my shoe collection by the end of the month. I'm a little concerned they have narrowed the width of the shoes which may cause a problem for borderline wide footed me.

Thanks ladies for all of your thoughtful replies, I love all of the different reactions.

15 years ago

shana

Veteran

Absolutely! In fact, I think my MIL (she's 76) is way more stylish than I am - which is why I so enjoy her castoffs!

15 years ago

Sihaya

Veteran

Absolutely. Especially this isn't a statement piece so it's not like you are both going to be competing for attention with the same statement piece. If it's comfortable and fits the utility for which you're buying it, I woudn't hesitate to go for it.

15 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Thank you Shana and Sihaya, I'm now officially convinced but think I should ask my Mother in Law if she would mind?

15 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Wow Angie, that comment is powerful. Thank you! I have people copy me quite frequently and I never realized how to resolve it in my own head, and that helps a lot.
So to answer your question Julie, I'd never wear the same shoes as my MIL but she'd probably wear the same shoes as me. And I'd still wear mine proudly and in my own style.
I hope you get them!

15 years ago

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Just a thought - I was in Office today and there were loads of boots in this style. Is that any help? [I've never bought any boots there, so don't know if they're comfortable. Are they??]

15 years ago

Category