Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with boots and fashion

Getting the boot

mrfuga0 — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:33:23 -0800

Help me find (not rain) boots for a rainy, not terribly cold climate. Bonus difficulty level: in South Africa! I moved to Cape Town, South Africa and have recently learned that it is super wet here in the fall/winter. I am now in need of some boots. I'm happy to order them and have them shipped (provided the shipping isn't half again the cost), but I'd like to be able to try them on if possible.

Criteria for boots:
1. Waterproof or at least capable of being in rain/water for long periods of time (I walk about a 1 km to school and back and then another stomp around campus). It doesn't get super cold here, so I don't need fur-lined, etc.
2. I have wide calves, so while I love a high boot, they usually don't fit super well (hence the trying on part).
3. I'd like something nice to wear with jeans and if, possible, also dresses/skirts. Black or chestnut would be good colors. Turd brown is not as versatile.
4. I'm willing to pay for good quality boots that I can take home. I could pay up to $150 or even $200 for a really nice pair. On the other hand, if I am only going to wear them for a year and then ditch them for suitcase space in January, then I'd like to get something quite cheap (under $50, maybe even under $30).
5. Heel height isn't an issue -- maybe under a couple inches if possible.

Any ideas? Help me keep from either ruining my suede boots from home or else wearing my hiking boots everywhere!

Comfy women's boots for wide, high-arched feet?

Bardolph — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 07:19:28 -0800

My feet are roughly the shape of a duck's. What brands of women's (fashion) boots should I investigate? In particular, I'd love to find boots that run fairly roomy at the top of the foot, just below the ankle. My feet aren't just high-arched underneath, but high on top: the big-toe metatarsal slopes up pretty steeply toward the ankle, and the little bump that everybody has mid-foot, where metatarsal meets the tarsals, is on my foot more like a medium-sized hill.
Boots and booties I've tried in the past (Naturalizers, some cheapie brands) have felt fine at first, but awful after an hour or two, as though they're trying to push my foot out of joint at the top. I could just try wide sizes, but I'm worried that wide wouldn't necessarily equate to high-arched.

So: anyone got ideas for roomier/more forgiving, yet still stylish, boot brands I should be investigating? Lower-to-medium price range preferred, but I do realize that comfort doesn't necessarily come cheap. Thanks!

Help my girlfriend find the perfect pair of high quality, full-grain leather boots!

Afroblanco — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 12:26:07 -0800

Help my girlfriend find the perfect pair of high quality, full-grain leather boots! Looking for stores in the San Francisco Bay area, as well as online retailers. The ideal boots are :

1) All leather, inside and out, with leather insoles
2) High quality (i.e. they should actually smell like leather)
3) Mid-calf to thigh-high in length
4) Low to no heel
5) Comfortable enough for everyday use

We're really just looking for places to shop for these boots; we're not expecting anybody to find an actual pair for us. (although all suggestions are welcome!)

We realize this is sort of a high-end item, so it's okay if the options are somewhat pricey.

Stompity Stomp Stomp Boots

ethidda — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:25:49 -0800

I love my boyfriend's motorcycle boots and I want my own stompy boots. These Dr. Martens were incredibly comfortable, but the multitude of buckles really aren't my style; I prefer much sleeker lines. What I really want are these Jimmy Choo boots--even my boyfriend thinks they're the best fit for my style and needs, except for the price--but they're out of my budget for now. Internet suggestions are great, but I need to be able to try them on in person for free--so it's best if Zappos, Nordstrom, Macy's, etc carry these shoes. (I'm located in Seattle.) Things that might make it difficult: I'm petite, with average length (US size 7/7.5) but wider feet and "athletic" calves that are about 15-1/4" wide around. Some brands' regular width shoes fit me. For some brands, I need to have the slightly wider size. I want to wear these as walking boots, so they have to be comfortable, warm, and water-resistant (if not water proof). I also don't like laces.

My go-to boots are these Cole Haan boots in Chestnut and really plain black Aldo suede wedge boots (also knee highs) that I bought many, many years ago and are getting repaired for the third time. But as I said, I want something with weight that would go stompity-stomp. I've looked at a couple of the nearby motorcycle stores, but they are all featuring streamlined biker boots that really aren't anything near heavy enough. I can easily walk in shorter blocky heels and wedges, but I don't need another pair with 3.5" heels like the boots I already own.

I need rain boots that look good and feel good

suki — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 13:22:11 -0800

Any recommendations for rain boots that look good while not killing my feet? I am looking for a pair of rain boots that will look good with jeans or a skirt. I'll be manning a booth at the Brimfield Antique Show at the beginning of September and may end up wearing them for 7 days, so they also need to be very comfortable.

I prefer black, and like them to be slightly fitted, especially through the ankle. I want a bit of a heel, even if it's a lug sole and I'd rather they are uninsulated.

Some examples of what I like are:

Steve Madden

Hunter

Le Chameau

I realize that Zappos has lots of reviews/ratings addressing these issues, but I'd love to hear from others.

Thank you!

Where be these boots?

stuck on an island — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:11:34 -0800

Name That Boot: A dapper friend has fallen in love with these boots. Can you help bring him and the boots together? The ad is for Whillas and Gunn. Unfortunately, the boots are made by somebody else. But the website doesn't say who. Can you identify the maker of these boots or boots very like them? Friend lives in Canada.

Feeling California, Shopping Minnesota

small_ruminant — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:12:21 -0800

What's a good gift certificate for fashionable warm clothes in Minneapolis? We'd like to give a collegue who's moving to Minnesota a gift certificate for a brick-and-mortar store in Minneapolis that sells decent looking cold-weather clothes and shoes. We're in California. The collegue is thirty something, female, Korean, and fashionable, (by Northern California- not New York- standards; no $1,000 sandals or anything like that).

The winter clothing around here is activity oriented (ski wear, etc). She will need things that are more waiting-for-the-bus and walking-between-buildings oriented.

Do L.L. Bean or Lands End have stores and/or cute things? Around here I think only school kids and boomers wear their stuff, but I could be wrong.

Suggestions, please?

ampled-calved girl ISO dream boots

faeuboulanger — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:59:12 -0800

Will Dr. Marten 20 eye (IB60) fit my, ahem, athletic 18" calves? I'm interested in buying these boots
to wear with dresses and skirts and slim jeans in the fall, but I worry they won't be able to accommodate my ample calves, which are 18" at their maximum and taper to a more large-side-of-average ankle.

Do any of you have experience with this model? If you don't think they would work, do you have any recommendations for a similar boot that would (ideally lace-up, but not necessarily)?

Thanks!

Make Me an Air Hostess!

divabat — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:40:31 -0800

I wanna look like a 60s air hostess. Where can I find a dress like this and boots like these? One of my performance characters is the Merch Girl, an all-round helper elf at events, and I'd like to get her a uniform/signature look. I really like the style of retro-era air hostesses, especially the 60s girls with the shift dresses and go-go boots. However, I'm having a hard time recreating the style without going bankrupt.

1. I've seen places that sell go-go boots but they don't seem to have the side detail I was hoping to find. Also, I'm reluctant to buy shoes online as I have wide feet, go from size 8 to 10 depending on manufacturer, and a lot of women's shoes fit me weird. Are there any good retailers that do white side-detail boots that fit?

2. I've gathered from the pictures I've seen that I like the dresses that look like someone took a huge shirt and made it into a dress. For some reason I can't seem to find it in person (here in Brisbane) - either the colours are off or the sizes are off (I'm a size 12-14 Aussie; they usually don't go past my boobs). I've seen some on Etsy that come close but are so expensive! Any recommendations for affordable outfits, or perhaps other search words I could use? (what are those dresses called anyhoo?)

I'm trying not to look TOO costumey (as in, I could wear the dress for other purposes if I wanted to) but quirky enough. I was hoping for a rock & roll feel and the colours of this outfit seem ideal. Where can I look?

Thanks!

Where Can I Find These Boots?

gtr — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:04:03 -0800

Help. I know nothing about fashion, and nothing about these boots. My girlfriend was describing a type of boot she wants for her birthday (boots she can stomp around in... her words). I didn't quite understand what she was talking about, so she sent me this picture.

That didn't really help. I can find dress black boots, doc martens, cowboy boots, but I have no idea what these are called, or who makes them, or where to get them (online or in store).

Any pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

Knockin' the boots

blackcatcuriouser — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:44:34 -0800

Where can I find women's moto-style boots? I love these Deena and Ozzy Strap Moto Boots from Urban Outfitters, seen here:
http://www.polyvore.com/deena_ozzy_strap_moto_boot/thing?id=10722456

Except, they're not real leather. Where can I find a similar leather pair? Criteria: Black, leather, stacked heel, some sort of buckling detail. Thanks guys!

Boots, boots, who's gonna find my boots?

allymusiqua — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 06:10:43 -0800

I'm in love with a boot...help me find them! So, I recently found these boots on a website found Mod Cloth and I fell in love, ordered them, then got an email saying they were all out of stock and there's no way Mod Cloth would get another shipping. Also, they're made by small companies so once they're sold out, they're sold out.

I don't believe them. So Mefis, where can I find them? If not the exact pair, do you know of any stores/websites that would sell something similar (that aren't outrageously expensive?)

These boots were made for walkin' in LA?

pointystick — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:17:23 -0800

What is appropriate fashion in fall and winter when in a warm or desert climate? I live in Atlanta where we have 4 disctinct seasons (albeit in no particular order!) but I'm hoping to spend more time in the Southwest - Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix, Los Angeles, etc - both for fun and perhaps for work, but have no idea what to wear when it's fall (I'll be there this weekend) or winter (again around Christmas). Will my trousers and boots look silly? How about tweedy skirts or sweaters? I am most concerned about business wear (woman, 30s, casual to dressy office) and going out in the evenings. Does it matter if you stay inside where it's going to be air conditioned? Do desert-dwellers and southwesterners still hanker for wool and suede when the mercury outside is in the 70s? Thanks for your wisdom!

Help me find these boots...

likeapen — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:51:19 -0800

Where can I find these boots or something similar?

Boot stretching?

JoanArkham — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 12:55:10 -0800

Has anyone ever had tall boots stretched to fit? Apparently even "wide-calf" boots are too narrow for my freakishly large calves. I found a pair that I like that are maybe 1/2 to 1 inch too small at the top. I have heard of people getting a shoemaker (cobbler?) to stretch boots to fit, but I don't know of anyone who has actually tried it or what the results are. Anyone? These were not cheap boots so I really don't want to ruin them for nothing.

Extra, super, mega bonus points if you can recommend someone in the DC/NoVA area.

(Or maybe I should just try to stretch them myself through wearing them?)

Black Boots Baby!

cachondeo45 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:18:37 -0800

[Ladies' Boot Filter] Fabulous tall, funky, black boots, please! I'm turning 30 soon (woo!) and what do i want to buy myself for my 30th birthday? Boots. I want some tall (just below the knee) funky, black boots that can go with pants, skirt, dresses, that can be dressed up or down. They have to be flat (heals hurt my hips - I must be getting old!) or with only a slight wedge. I generally like the style of Campers or Fly London. I have been up and down 6pm.com, zappos, etc. and am running out of luck. I'm looking to spend around $200 (less would be great, but I don't want to get too stingy!). Suggestions? (I looked at past Metafilter posts and saw the bit about Frye's. A bit too pricey for me!) Thank you!

What do I wear with dress shoes?

peep — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:58:17 -0800

Ladies of MetaFilter: what socks/hosiery do you wear with dress shoes and boots? I'm trying to update my wardrobe and dress more stylishly at work. I'm lucky enough to have the choice, and in the past it's been so easy to dress like a slob but I'm trying to change that.

I have black pumps that I usually wear with dresses and skirts, and ankle boots that I wear with floor-length pants.

Right now I wear pantyhose - which I HATE - with the skirts and dresses. I only wear the nylons because without any hosiery, my shoes don't really fit right. My feet sweat and swell and the shoes become totally uncomfortable and give me blisters.

I wear knee-high nylons or trouser socks with the boots, but I don't really like those either. They feel constricting and don't absorb sweat so I always feel like my feet are moist. But regular cotton socks slip down and that bugs, too.

So do you go bare-legged with dresses? My shoes are moderately-priced or cheap; maybe better-made shoes are more comfortable with bare feet? And what do you wear with boots? I'll be buying some knee-length boots soon, so suggestions welcome there, too.

you're like, too old for this, man

Firas — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:08:06 -0800

Guess who needs boots like Marilyn Manson?! Yours truly! Here's the problem, it seems to be a very standard design but we need to try them on and take them home rather than buy them online and wait/pray it works out. Where (greater boston)?

Petite boot shopping in Austin, Texas

fructose — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:37:09 -0800

Austin shopping filter: Where has a good selection of ladies casual calf- to knee-high boots for reasonable prices in Austin that is not in a mall? See details for specifics. I am looking to get a pair of flat, black boots, probably suede or suede-esque to wear with skirts mostly. I am looking to spend $100 or less. One problem is that I am very petite and many boots are either too tall and/or too wide in the legs for me and look very silly. That's why I need to find a place with a wide selection of brands so I can find one that runs smallish.
I've tried DSW and really most of the big-box shoe stores in Central and North Austin.
I've tried the mall/don't want to go back there because it's going to be a madhouse of people trying to get after-Christmas sales.
Online shopping is not an option since I have to be able to try them on my weird legs.
Thanks!

Interesting shoes for men.

fire&wings — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 16:09:17 -0800

I'm looking for interesting and unusual shoes (male.) I can't find what I want in the high street so am looking for some sites selling interesting or unusual shoes for men. I like smart/casual boots or shoes rather than trainers or sneakers. I prefer footwear that can be worn during the day casually and will also work as part of a smarter outfit. When I say unusual I don't want anything too outlandish, I like interesting stitching, seams, cuts and fabric - different takes on classic shoe designs.

I am aware of camper.com and schuh.co.uk, but beyond that google is a depressing maze of resellers and the wrong stuff.

Any good quality retailers and designers are welcomed, price is unimportant (I like inspiration too!) but shipment to the UK is a must.

I'm trying not to be too picky and would really just like everyone to chip in with sites where they get their shoes. I have no hard and fast rules and may see something I like somewhere I might not expect to see it....thanks in advance.