I was thinking of these for spring, but all I kept pulling out of my closet was wintry stuff. I even pulled the brown jacket in #3 out of the donate pile.
Out of everything, I like #8 the best for what I was going for.
I could also see loving them with #9 and #10, which are unfortunately stored ATM.
These would also be ideal clubbing shoes: funky and comfy.
The question is: do I need these? Are they enriching the wardrobe or is this a case where my short booties would be just fine?
Jem replied 12 years ago
Wow, those are great! My favorite is #8 and I can definitely see them with 9 and 10. They look great with all of the outfits, although I'm not sure about 7. As to whether you *need* them? I don't have that answer. :-)
Transcona Shannon replied 12 years ago
Oh no Rae - these look gorgeous on you! I love them in all the outfits, especially 4, 5 & 8, and can definitely see them with 9 and 10. Like Jem, I don't know if you need them - although from my limited viewpoint of your wardrobe, I would classify them as "enriching".
catgirl replied 12 years ago
I love them. They have a refined Victorian vibe from the front, and a more sophisticated club/rock style from the side. DROOL.
Kappy replied 12 years ago
I love #8!!! Do you need these for work too?
Mo replied 12 years ago
I love the boots but for some reason they don't read as office appropriate to me. Maybe it's the high contrast laces? But I could so see them in your casual wear repertoire!
celia replied 12 years ago
They look great with those outfits.If you can keep please do so.
Hi Rae,
What a creative outburst, it is hard to pick a favorite. I do personally like your take on these boots, my only *but* is that the lighter laces,distressed look along with the lighter rubber wedge give the boots a much more casual vibe than the black ones Kari got. I know that in my environment, which is for the most part, corporate business casual, these might be too much of a departure.
I assume these are both for work and play, right?
rae replied 12 years ago
Kappy and Mo, I would very much prefer to be able to wear them to work. Otherwise, I'd be breaking SYC, and I think I'd still be sniffing around for non-pumps to wear with bare legs and midis.
rae replied 12 years ago
Zap, we posted at the same time! Hehe... yes, I'd prefer a crossover. :T
RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 12 years ago
Well, I am totally biased. I LOVE them. My faves are 3 and 9 - I love the reddish tan with teal and green.
My take on "office appropriate" may vary from Mo's as I feel they would be perfectly at home with office wear. But take that with a grain of salt because I have never worked in a conservative office. I was always in CS or with techie people when I was an office gal.
I don't keep good track of everyone's wardrobes: do you have another pair of tall boots? Lace ups? I do think that short and tall boots fit different niches because the look is totally different.
I say this as a person that owns 4 pairs of tall boots (one pull on, one zip, two lace-ups) and 3 pair of mid-calf boots (2 zip, one lace). They are all VERY different.
It pains me to say this, but somehow I think these same boots in black with black laces (or even cordovan) would look more office-y. They are beautiful, though!
rae replied 12 years ago
Seems the consensus is that they won't fly at my office - wondering if it's possible that tall boots at a corporate office must necessarily be more refined, like the Miz Mooz Flynn's that Rita has or along that line. Like, the farther you get away from a pump in silhouette, the closer you must return to a pump in styling? Hmmm...
http://www.infinityshoes.com/M.....QgodnE384g
I even dug out all my Spring clothes and all my casual clothes, and I think that I'd be pushing it too far for my particular job. The pics with shorts were just too bad to post. :(
I think so Rae, although I find that a more streamlined,basic type of wedge boot can be very versatile. I have these:
http://www.overstock.com/Cloth.....oduct.html
I bought them for a song @ Rue la la, a while back. I know they are very basic for your style but these might give you some food for thought:
cciele replied 12 years ago
Hm, the high contrast laces also gave me pause. Interesting theory about tall boots and refinement. I think for the office you do need to be a bit careful, because of the quantity of leather involved (they are much more "in your face" and high profile than a pair of pumps)
RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 12 years ago
Well, I for one am BUMMED! I wanted an identical boot twin!
rae replied 12 years ago
Zap and Cathy, you're right that a knee high boot is a lot of boot. The leather alone makes a statement, for sure. I DO like those wedges - I think the tough part is finding tall boots that aren't wintry.
Andrea, me too! I really wanted them to work, and part of me is harumphing that these didn't work out. :T
goldenpig replied 12 years ago
I feel like a hypocrite for saying this given that I am wearing knee high lace-ups to the office, but I think the high contrast laces are making it look too casual for the office. I love your outfits though!
Can I interest you in the Frye Melissa lace-ups instead???
Amy replied 12 years ago
You know, I wasn't crazy about these boots when I saw them pictured on a shoe website, but you've completely changed my mind about them. They look great with your outfits.
I do agree with the others, though, who suggested that the high contrast laces make them more casual and thus not necessarily appropriate for an office environment. Of course, your office may be different than mine.
Tina replied 12 years ago
Rae, would you consider replacing the laces with ones to match the leather? Then you could change them to suit the occasion. It would be work but those boots are awesome. Just a thought, I'm not trying to enable or anything...
AJ replied 12 years ago
Yes, I had the same thought as Tina, find new laces.
rae replied 12 years ago
Natalie, the Melissas are a flat boot, yes? My arches can't take that. :T
Tina, that is a great suggestion - and I'd probably go for it if I liked the boots more with my casual outfits.
san replied 12 years ago
All I could say was WOW looking at the way you've styled the boots, but I am very far away from an office situation. Can you justify keeping them your your more arty looks? I ordered the Frye Melissa lace ups and haven't worn them aroun the house enough to know if I will keep them, but I sure like the looks of the lace up boots. Janet wears her Frye laceup boots so well, but she is in an arty profession.
I'm curious, what do you mean that your arches can't take flat boots?
goldenpig replied 12 years ago
Yes, the Melissas are flats. Interesting that flats are less comfy for you than heels--I always thought flats are easier. That's too bad!
I like the suggestion to change out the laces.
Or how about these--I have Mia Nanette mid calf lace-up boots that have heels. I forget if you already have shorter lace-up boots or not or if you are set on having knee high lace-ups. I bought mine for about $100 but looks like they're only $60 at Overstock now!
http://www.overstock.com/Cloth.....cid=123620
I actually have two pairs in brown and black. Sorry I can't find any pics in appropriate officewear at the moment but here are a couple of pics so you can get an idea of how high they come up on my leg.
rae replied 12 years ago
San, I've never seen a foot doctor to figure out the whys and hows, but I recently discovered that my feet don't hurt when I wear heels. I always thought that arch pain and cramping was just a way of life but, now that I've been out of flat shoes a while, I can SO tell the difference. The one exception so far are my Softspots sandals, but I try not to run/dance/shop in those.
Natalie, those boots are adorable - makes sense that I like them, since they are a lot like my Marcie lace-up boots (the same kind Shannon just got). I guess I'm looking for a knee-high in tan/gray/taupe for Spring - doesn't have to lace up, but that can help the calf fit.
goldenpig replied 12 years ago
How about these:
Seychelles Stockholm Grey $132
http://www.zappos.com/seychelles-stockholm-grey
also comes in tan (but I think they grey looks nicer).
The studded shield (or whatever that is) in front makes it UWP in my book, but it's still polished enough that you could probably get away with it for work. I could totally see you wearing these. I forget what your calf circumference is though--are you a narrow calf? These look like normal calf size.
CocoLion replied 12 years ago
They look amazing with all of the midi skirts! Not sure I like them as much with the shorter skirts or the knee length suit worn in #1. What I like about them with midis is they add some cool to a length that can go frumpy if not styled right or worn with the right footwear. My favorite is with the longer midi worn in #5, it's a minimal outfit so the boots take center stage.
Jjsloane replied 12 years ago
I'm on the team with Mo and Claire - the high contrast laces and all that boot are just not doing it for me with the stunning work ensembles. I also think they come up quite high on you and look like they might restrict knee movement. I am a huge Doc fan but if you really want these for work I'm a spanner.
Nakidra replied 12 years ago
Love number 8 on you but I'm not really feeling to boots with the suit in #1. It seems like you have many other options so I'd probably keep them if I were you. I LOVE you in that floral dress!! It's seems a little bit out of your comfort zone, but I looks amazing on you and it's perfect for spring and summer!!
Jonesy replied 12 years ago
I agree with the spanners-for-work crowd, I'm sorry to say :(.
Janet replied 12 years ago
I love these but I also wonder about the high-contrast laces for work attire. I saw the suggestions about changing out the laces depending on the occasion, but if those boots are anything like my Frye lace-ups, that's a lot of work!
I'm just your average working stiff who loves nice things and hates to pay for them. This blog outlines my efforts to navigate that treacherous shopping/saving divide through swappin', thriftin', and even a little resellin'. Many of the pieces in my wardrobe cost me just $1! We've heard a lot about people "living above their means" in recent years; I'm championing the concept of living large *below* your means - whatever that means for you. :)
