(#ididnotwearthat)
Frame Le Garcon jeans
Everlane ryan tank | I just ordered a second one of these, I wear it so often
Etoile Isabel Marant sweatshirt | several years old
Rag & Bone harrow booties | sized up one size, these are a couple years old
Jas M.B. wings traveler bag | mine is quilted, 4 years old
After my post on style shifts Monday, and bringing out my Repetto ballet flats for a bit, I spent some more time thinking about the shoes I have left in my closet and decided to try and wear my Rag & Bone booties again (or at least make outfits with them – it’s still too hot for boots here, although this morning it’s NICE and cool!!).
As you may or may not know, I have a love/hate relationship with ankle booties: I love them on other women, but hate them on me. I really hate them on me. I just don’t think they’re a very flattering style for my short, stocky legs. I mean, they’re not awful, and better since I lost weight, and my legs have slimmed a bit, but they’re really just not my favorites. And they’ve never felt like me. But I bought them anyway, because I like them A LOT, and I thought I HAD TO HAVE a pair of ankle boots.
Maybe these just aren’t the right ones? I keep thinking I should just order the Rachel Comey Mars boots finally, and just give them a try, and I did try on the Rag & Bone Aston boots a couple of weekends ago and just FELL IN LOVE. They were quite flattering on me, actually (or so I thought), with a great, modern pointy toe, very substantial, and still had some room in the ankle (which is rare for me). And they’re flat.
I could get them with my Shopbop credits when they have their Friends & Family discount (I’m really hoping that comes next week!), but that would be the only thing I could get. And I’m not sure I’d wear them enough to justify the price, even with a discount. I certainly didn’t wear the Harrow boots enough, even though I got them for a steal with a Refinery29 discount…The difference with the Aston boot is that they’re flat, and I could sort of see myself just throwing them on with jeans, leggings, whatever. Wearing them for travel, etc.,
The Harrow boots have a pretty high heel – for me – and I just don’t “throw on” heels anymore. I don’t even wear my clogs very often anymore. But even though the Aston boot is flat, would I choose them over my Vince sneakers or Everlane loafers with any given outfit? I don’t know.
I keep the Harrow boots around just in case I need an ankle boot with a heel. For what, I have no idea…(I did wear them with tights and a dress to a holiday dinner last year, and to a few other “special” occasions over the years, but I don’t think that’s enough reason for ME to hang on to them.)
See? Don’t go thinking I have this whole minimalism thing figured out…I still struggle with wanting things I really don’t need, and that I think I should have because I love the way they look on others. But maybe I also haven’t reached critical mass in TRYING ankle boots? I did reach that with chambray tops (I tried them all, owned quite a few, and got rid of all of them), and striped shirts, but I haven’t owned very many ankle boots enough to try and wear them, and work them into outfits. Maybe that’s what it takes…for me anyway.
Haha. Now I’m trying VERY HARD to justify buying those Aston boots! It’s a good thing I can’t/won’t right now.
Just being real with the process 🙂
Have a great weekend!! I hope to have a “last week” post up tomorrow with some random thoughts and the new thing I’ve been eating for breakfast this week. Oh! And hopefully today I’ll get my standing “desk” up and have a picture to show…I’m ridiculously excited about trying that…
I had previously coveted the Harrow booties, but finally realized that they were higher than I really like to wear on a regular basis and gave them up. Plus EVERYONE had them. I tried on the Aston boots this week, and they did not fit me correctly at all. Shoes are so personal in terms of fit, and it’s the one place where I am strict about not buying anything that isn’t quite right.
Speaking of style shifts, I had thought I wanted black booties, but found a gray / taupe pair that I really loved. Even the heel felt comfortable.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/stuart-weitzman-jackson-bootie-women/3742230?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=stuart_weitzman_%27jackson%27_bootie_(women):435804&cm_pla=shoes:women:boots&cm_ven=Google_Product_Ads&mr:referralID=c7309fe4-4b13-11e4-886a-001b2166c62d&origin=pla
And I’ve been loving every pair of Alberto Fermani boots I’ve seen online, but no one local has them to try on. Again, I’m kind of obsessed with the gray / taupe color. Anyway, I’ve ordered a pair to try on.
http://www.albertofermaniusa.com/Capricia-Ankle%20Boots-Fango?CurrentSizeID=
Anyway, go ahead and sell the Harrow booties if you don’t love them. Don’t save them because you “need” a pair of heels. Plus they have good resale value. 😉
i’m pretty sure they have those AF booties at my nordstrom – i’ve been coveting ALL of them since i saw them in person, but i don’t get credits at nordstrom, so that’s not happening any time soon 😉 i hope they work out for you – they’re SO SOFT and yummy…
and yeah, i know i wouldn’t have a problem selling the boots, and i think i’m about ready…
Love that “getting real with the process.” I don’t think any of us automatically know how to make these decisions–we all go through this thought process. Seeing it is so helpful.
Here’s an idea: you are considering buying the Aston boots with credit you have earned. That’s like something being on sale. It’s a deal, right?? But don’t forget the opportunity costs–what you could buy with the credit if you did not buy the boots. Another way of thinking about it is this: if you had to pay the full price with dollars and not credits, would you?
No right or wrong answers. . . just an addition to the thought process. . .
oh yes, i’m always thinking about opportunity costs…(i’m almost an economist by training!)…and there are quite a few other things that i would also like to have for the price of the boots. which is why i am 99% sure i won’t get them.
but dealing with “credit” is hard, and really a struggle for me. i know, i know…world’s smallest violin…but sometimes i think i should treat using credits as an opportunity to get something i would NEVER save up for and buy with real money – so something “special” and just a little bit out of my comfort zone. And then, i think that’s silly, and i should use it to buy things i really need, or really WANT. but then…if i wasn’t earning credits from shopbop, for example, if it was “real money,” would i use it to buy clothes/shoes/bags? no way. i would save it, or use it to buy a new blender because i killed mine yesterday, or new glasses…
still…the process… 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your struggles with minimizing your wardrobe. I love the blog post about finding the “perfect” item. I keep it up on my ipad as a reminder!
Question for you…do you handwash the everlane tank? I ordered one and promptly ruined it by putting it in the washing machine on cold & delicate cycle (which is how I do all of my hand washables).
I have 4 or 5 pairs of ankle boots (I just bought a pair on deep discount over the summer and wore them for the first time on a single cool day we had a couple weeks ago). I still have a problem styling them (though not buying them, apparently….) I tend to go more for comfort options than “fashion” options I think. None of mine were the expensive styles you talk about here. One pair of chelsea boots (black, Timberland), 2 pair of wedges (black Merrell, brown Softspots) and one pair of chunky heel (Sperry).
My biggest problem is that I still don’t like seeing myself in a short skirt with an ankle boot. I keep trying though!
I absolutely love this outfit on you! When I first saw the photo I though “YAY, COLOR!” 😉 but still very chic and you. .
I know how you feel about ankle boots. I have several pairs despite the fact that I have short thick legs and yeah they aren’t the most flattering style in the world for me. I find them very hard to style with jeans, which is too bad because I am a denim fiend (I have 30+ pairs, so far from minimalist), but I am usually comfortable wearing them with skirts/dresses and tights.
I think you should try to wear this pair more until you decide if you want a flat pair. Remember that if you are worried about looking stumpy, flat ankle boots will probably be worse in that department than these ones with a heel, even if the cut is somehow more flattering. You may miss these if you get rid of them and want to “replace” them if you are anything like me. 😉
A few weeks ago I pinned this August Vogue photo (Blake Lively, not normally my style icon) because I love the ankle boot with the skirt here and might try something similar…. https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSE5EpQbmmkigJv4SPNY0LfpfiH5JEuTiM52vDdJX7oGieH-luz
The Sperry boot I have is similar. I don’t have a skirt anything like that though. And I’m not sure I’d wear one often if I did, but I have some solid maxi dresses & skirts so I thought I’d at least play with proportions if not colors…
how did you ruin it?? i did accidentally dry my first one, so it’s quite a bit shorter/smaller than the next one i ordered, and a little pilly. and i haven’t washed my second one yet…so i don’t know how it will behave being done the “right” way.
i wash everything in the machine (most of the time NOT on delicate, because i forget to set it…) and hang to dry. i have noticed that it can get quite wrinkled and stretched out, but it’s still in good shape. if i was going to wear it by itself, i might be tempted to steam some wrinkles out, but honestly, i mostly just layer my ryan tanks, and in that case, can’t be bothered by the wrinkles 😉 – and the darker colors have held up VERY nicely. of course they don’t show wrinkles, etc., like white does
it’s interesting, because the ryan TEE i have seems to hold up a little better to washing/hanging to dry. and i can’t imagine people REALLY hand wash their tees. to me hand wash means machine wash on delicate. and even that’s tough for me! i think they’re going to have to re-think the fabrication on these.
i did it once i think – with tights and a short-er skirt (all black), and i liked it better than wearing ankle boots with jeans because there’s nothing drawing the eye down to my ankle – that’s the only way i could do it i think, but i love the look of a short skirt and flat chelsea boots or something! and even now, with the midi skirts – like that photo of blake lively – i think they look really cool with ankle boots, but i would never try it, because of my calves 🙁 on slimmer legs, the look is so fresh. on me, it just looks like i’m trying too hard LOL
haha!! yeah, just a little color!
i do like them much better with skirts/tights on me, but i really just don’t wear those very often anymore. i used to, and i love to wear tights/skirts, but with my lifestyle now, it just feels like so much effort for “regular” days.
i guess i don’t worry much about looking stumpy as i do about being comfortable to walk – but yes, i do also worry about looking stumpy. these are definitely more flattering than flat boots, but if i don’t wear them, what’s the point? and anyway, i do have that pair of flat boots my husband bought me when we were in italy that are very comfortable, just not that stylish – and i have a new pair of DUO, sort-of-knee-high boots (that are also flat) to wear as soon as it gets cooler. so i’m set for flat boots, for shoes, in general, but still. there’s something about those aston boots…they’re CALLING ME 😉
I think these boots look fantastic on you and with the outfit. Could see you wearing them one of your James Perse dresses/skirts too. I purchased the Madewell Billie’s last year (my first booties) and I was hooked. I now own flat ones and healed ones in varies heal heights and colors. They take the place of my sandals and flats that I wear to work in the summer. I used to worry about the stumpy/frumpy factor, but you know what at 47 I don’t care. I look better now than I did 10 years ago and feel great. You are too and seem to be refining your style and wardrobe choices (as am I). That being said, if you do not 100% love something in your wardrobe, then sell/donate it and replace it with something you love. Maybe you could sell the boots and add that to the credits to purchase the ones you want. Just saying…
Oh, those Rag & Bones boots are so cute! I’m glad they are out of my price range .. well, I could buy them, but ugh .. I just can’t spend that kind of money on shoes .. lol. $200 is my max.
Monica.
Hmmmm….the seams on mine are all twisted. I believe I can still use it as an under layer but the twisting on the neckline is annoying. It’s such a shame because it is perfect (oops! need to re-read your post again) for me!
A blend of cotton and rayon might hold up better.
that is weird…i haven’t heard of that happening before. have you contacted them? i know another reader (henny) did and even though she admitted machine washing it, they credited her account – BUT they did mention that they specifically state to hand wash it. they might not allow that again, but it’s worth a try i guess…
haha! yes, it’s such a great tank. covers bra straps!! i wear mine to pure barre all the time, and i love that they’re long enough to wear with leggings.
Thanks! It’s worth a shot.
I love what you are (not) wearing. LOL. It’s a great outfit. I had been searching for a pair of ankle booties for about 3 years and finally pulled the trigger on a pair of Loeffler Randall Emma booties, when they had their Labor Day sale. They have a nice low shaft, which is what I was looking for, because I like wearing my booties with pants and skirts/dresses. They are made really well AND much cheaper than any of the Rag & Bone boots. Take a peak!
http://www.loefflerrandall.com/LRProduct.aspx?ProductID=1092&CategoryID=10
Wow – those Loeffler booties are GORGEOUS!
Renza must be my missing twin – I agree with everything in her post. Grechen, if you like them (enough) even with just certain outfits, and they’re comfortable (enough) and they don’t duplicate anything else in your wardrobe, why not keep them? Personally I think they look great on you, but being 5’3″ myself I understand the dilemma. I wear ankle boots fairly often and have several pairs in different heel heights. The most flattering ones are a 3.5″ heel, low cut and curved inward at the top (they’re Ecco – an uncool brand, but they tick all my boxes and are reasonably comfortable). The ones I wear most often are Fiorentini + Baker – the Soda style which isn’t in the line any longer. Low-heeled but not flat. Simple and casual. The ones I never wear are the Rachel Comey Penpal, in black with the light-colored (“natural”) heel. The fit isn’t great (narrow in the forefoot, too wide in the heel and much too loose around the ankle), and I have trouble styling them, But I paid full price so I feel like I need to keep trying to make them work. Still, they don’t really fill a void in my closet, they’re not really “me,” and I probably wouldn’t miss them if they found a new home. They’re probably my most expensive mistake.
Johnlyn, did u contact Everlane yet re. your tank top? Like Grechen mentioned, I did after i saw a small hole in my Ryan tee. I had put it on delicate cycle instead of hand-washing it. The customer svc person ended up crediting my acct. which i thought was absolutely awesome for Everlane to do considering it really was my fault for not hand=washing (it does say that on the label). Just shoot Everlane an email and see what happens!
love those LRs! i’ve found quite a few loeffler randall booties i’d like to try, but they look very narrow to me around the ankle, and that’s no good at all….i tried on a great pair of vince booties that looked similar, but were too tight on my ankles 🙁
I love the look, but like you said, the heel is just too high for me. And I’d say, if you don’t love them and how they make you feel, “Sell ’em!”