I’ve always had a rough relationship with boots. I love them. I want them. I need them. Yet they rarely fit my narrow feet and skinny legs properly. I’ve also made some poor decisions regarding knee-high boots with very, very high heels that resulted in me feeling like boots in general were evil and uncomfortable. (Me, in heels? Happily? Um, no.) Over the past year I have finally started to figure out what works for me in terms of fit, comfort, and style. Unfortunately, the past year has also been a year of major cost-cutting due to our transition to a single income. But a girl can dream! Below is a selection of the boots I am currently lusting over.
Madewell Archive Flat Boot
I actually owned these boots for a couple of weeks in late summer, but I felt horrible guilt about spending the money (see aforementioned single income), so they went back to the store. I am hoping they’ll go on major sale after the holidays so I can justify purchasing them then. If I get them I will probably cut a couple of inches off the top so they hit at a more flattering height for my leg (as is, they hit right below my knee, and I prefer a shorter boot).
Fiorentini & Baker Blink
These are hot, no? I’m really into practical boots that I can wear without worrying about getting them wet or scuffed. Since I am now a stay-at-home-mom, my fashion has to be functional in dirty environs such as the park or playground. A boot like this would stylize and add personality to my usual uniform of jeans and a tee but would also look fantastic with dresses or leggings (if you’re into that sort of thing, which I am not).
Sendra 2944 Motorcycle Boot
A slightly cheaper version of the Fiorentini & Baker motorcycle boots above. And the bonus is that these are available locally and they fit! I’ve found that many engineer or motorcycle boots are cut way too generously for my feet and legs. I stumbled upon these at Allens Boots in South Austin and it was instant love the second I tried them on. The leather on the shaft is extremely soft so they have a bit of sassy slouch when worn.
Justin Roper
Thanks to the magic of eBay, a pair of these sturdy boots is now in my possession. I have wanted a pair of Justin Ropers for several years but maintained that I would only purchase them in a local store once we’d moved to Austin. However, when a pair popped up on eBay recently for $30 I couldn’t resist since the retail is over $100. Aside from a huge price break, another bonus of buying used is that they are already broken in! They are also made of this awesome leather that distresses really easily so they don’t look as dorky and shiny new as the photo above.
J. Crew Sienna Moccasin Bootie
These are kind of a funny thing. I am not, and have never been, a fan of moccasins. Not in shoe form, not in boot form, and I don’t like fringe! Ever! Yet I find these booties strangely attractive. I think part of it is the lovely soft gray color, and I guess the other part of it is that they are a bit distinctive because the fringe runs vertically up the seams instead of in a ring around the top like you usually see with moccasins. I would leave the laces up the back tied loosely so I could just slip my feet in and out. I am picturing them worn with black skinny jeans, a cognac belt with a brass buckle, and a thin, slouchy off-white tee with a wide scoop neck. That would be some hot playground style, don’t you agree?
