Booty Call!

by Anita

This is not a perfume review but I did sniff a buncho scents while I was gathering the info, if that counts for anything…

1999– I am twitching down Michigan Avenue in a nip-waisted suit and Maud Frizon 4” heels, grey, with little slate-blue Mercury wings at the back of the vamp.  A little girl comes around the corner, stops with a ‘whoa’…and then attempts to imitate my Betty Boop wiggle.    The heels, the nip-waist suit….the essence of girly fashion at the close of the boomin’ 90s.

2009 – I am with a pal, stomping down Michigan Avenue, wearing comfy tailored pants with comfy/cute side-tie oxfords – the following ensues:

sfx  :“clipclopclipclopclipclop”

I whip around and my pal says “what’s wrong?”

Me: where are the horses!?

Pal (funny look): “uh…..no horses”

Then it hits me – it is the sound of women’s high heels crossing Michigan Avenue.

I am mortified.  But it is funny. I’ve only lived a rural life for 4 years and already my frame of reference has changed  regarding footwear.   Very little about my life now allows for the high heels of 5 years ago.  My highest heel now are my wonderfully comfy (that word again) court shoes with a 2-inch heel…and even those I have to consciously decide to wear.  And…you know…?  it’s okay!    On Michigan Avenue/Oak Street in Chicago last week, in my comfy oxfords, I took a look at what women are wearing and what’s on display at Barneys and Nordies and the like – it’s definitely the Season of the Flat Boot.  Boots everywhere and, probably because it is Chicago and winter is imminent, most every boot is flat – or, at best, with a solid, stacked or short, wedge heel.   Hermes’ window has an obscenely gorgeous pair of riders that cost more than my company netted last quarter (somebody PLEASE wear those to a horse barn near me.  Please.), along with a luxe mini-saddle that would make a cute bonnet for one of my Percherons.    Barneys has a python”riding’  boot.  Uh, okay.  I had a pair of green python boots once.  They were about as durable as tissue paper.  Nowadays I’m mostly about leaving the skin on the snake.  YMMV and that’s okay by me.  But you won’t be seeing these on Chicago streets, come January.

Manolo and Christian are still flying the Four Inch Flag but I didn’t see a lot of women in heels.  But there were  Lots of leggings tucked into faux-riding boots.  Pirate boots with bunchy, tucked-in jeans – an odd combo but maybe the leggings/pirate thing are just a bit too Jack Sparrow?  Either way,  90% of the Oak Street fashionistas were in flat boots.    Tall boots.  TALL.   Not an ankle boot in sight, except on the shelves.  Those’ll come later, when nobody wants to ruin those pirates in the snow and slush.

It was intriguing, too, to watch the difference in how heel height affects stride.  The Manolo contingent kept the Boop goin’ – I don’t know if it’s possible to not Boop it, unless your feet are killing you, in which case it just looks painful, with a side order of ‘Ow’.  But  on G.P. the nature of a high heel does the Boop for you, whether you like it or not.  Hard to stride in heels, at least it is for me.

So how do fashionistas rock a Boop-equivalent in a low-heeled or flat boot?  Well, I don’t know if they practice but most everyone I saw on Oak Street were workin’ this elongated stride/glide, like a modified Sloane Ranger or Llamas on Madison.   If you’re tall and slender it’s a slam-dunk, elegant look, like you just left your Arabian with the groom.  If you’re short it’s a fiercer version, but can be just as sexy.  What’s really noticeable about all flat/low-heeled boot wearers (and I guess most all flats in general) is this sense of elongation and assertiveness in the walk.  Not as overtly sexy as the Boop but sensual, the way cashmere pjs can be more sensual than the satin robe/marabou mules.    Not dissin’ the satin, mind you; it’s just that my feet can’t take those mules anymore. Alas, I’m not in the market for any more boots, having enough riding/steel toe/stall-stompin’ variations to last awhile – but if I were, this would definitely be My Year!   The Boots is Cuuute!!

So what’s going on your feet (and upward) this Season?  Are you going for the over-the-knee pirate look? The equestrienne? The Shawty? I’m loving the Tall Boot!  Is the trend different where you are?  Paris? DC? New York? LA? Enquiring minds and all that!   I think I might be a tad too ‘too’ to pull off the tuck-in style these days, but let me drop a dress size before the Season is out and…….


  • Darrin Sundres says:

    Good stuff :)

  • Mals86 says:

    Went to an orchestra concert at the university last night, and just had to mention this utterly gorgeous pair of boots I saw on a student: distressed blue-gray leather riding-style boots, with a low (riding-style) heel and buckled straps at the ankle. Gorrrrgeous.

    The student wearing them was also wearing jeggings tucked in, teal tank top and black cropped 3/4 sleeve jacket, long straight strawberry-blonde hair and a smoky eye makeup, with one silver bracelet. I felt more stylish just looking at her.

    • Musette says:

      Mals,

      I will pay you cash – all the money I have – (about $12.42 but hey! it’s something)…..if you shanghai that child and drop her off here…pls? If not the whole child, then the boots and the bracelet?

      I won’t tell you what’s on tap here except to say there are no smoky eyes and leggings are NOT what you want to see….really.

      No, really.

      xo >-)

  • Olfacta says:

    I rode as a kid and loved my jodphur boots, with those skinny little straps that wrapped twice around the ankles and buckled at the side. And I loved my big, chunky heeled Frye boots from the 70’s. Am now kicking myself for not buying a pair of mucking-out boots — rubber ones — I saw at an estate sale the other day for $24. I do love boots! But the high-booted tucked-in look, well, it’s just not me, and our climate isn’t really cold enough for heavy boots and, in any case, we spend all our time in our cars here, not out on the street, which I really miss. These days it’s mostly flat, ankle boots, because they rock and it’s easy to walk in them.

    • Musette says:

      I love flat ankle boots, too!

      You can get mucks everywhere (like the Evil Wal-Mart Empire) for not much. I’m on my way to put mine on now, to muck out the Percheron stalls /:)

      okay…not yet. I have to get the land first, right? Then the stalls….

      then (THEN) the horses!

      right? :”>

      ;))

      xo >-)

  • minette says:

    i love boots, but i really don’t like the lines of flat boots or flats in general. i’m tall, and they still make me look dumpy. even when i was twig-thin (i’m curvier now) i couldn’t make them work for me. i wear cowboy boots a lot (all seasons), but i like the ones with pointy toes and cut-in heels (rock and roll). and i also wear vintage ankle boots from the ’70s, because they complement my often-vintage wardrobe.

    equestrian riding boots i get and like, but they look silly in real life. i mean, who really runs around looking like a ralph lauren ad?

    for snowy/icy winters, i would wear motorcycle-style boots, my trusty doc maarten oxfords, or waterproof faux-fur-lined winter boots that i would change out of once inside. i’ve never owned a pair of uggs, but they do appear to be practical, so i would probably own some if i lived up north again.

    i agree with shelley, above – born does make some cool-looking boots.

    • Musette says:

      I agree there is a thin line between cute and caricature when it comes to a riding boot (or any other ‘type’ – the pirate comes to mind…) but if it is a riding ‘style’ boot that looks okay – it’s mostly just a knee-high boot. It’s when one gets the patella protector rise…well that does look a tad weird unless you are on – or very near- a horse.

      xo >-)

  • Elisa says:

    I’m so very happy that tall flat boots are the thing now. Finally comfort and warmth coexist with fashiony/sexy.

    I also like tall boots with a bit of a wedge heel, which are basically as comfortable as flat boots but give you a teensy boost.

    • Musette says:

      I dunno if you have a wonky back but I’ve noticed that when my back/hip are cranky just a slight lift (nothing higher than 2″ and it must be a solid heel/wedge) seems to help!

      xo >-)

  • Kym says:

    I adore the boot. Adore the thigh high. Adore the “horsey” look. But I have a wide calf and cannot find (I’ve actually given up trying because it’s very embarrassing to not have a boot zip up on your fat leg) a pair that will fit. Even at my smallest size six, I was wearing suede pull up boots because they had some “give.” Sad for me since I also love the look of a classic equestrian boot with a long skirt. Sob!

  • Disteza says:

    I have one pair of flat-ish boots–they’re for re-enactment purposes mostly, but they’re a lovely chocolate brown, thicker leather riding boot with buckles at the top and over the ankle, and with a sort of half gaiter over the insole. Totally 18th century-accurate, and cute with a denim skirt as well. However, I’m mostly a heeled boot kind of girl, so I snark loudly at the young un’s in their Uggs (Ugg is for UGLY!) while I sashay around in my tall, heeled leather boots. I would never dream of wearing pants and tucking them into my boots–my legs are on the large side thanks to the fencing, and I’d rather not try to rock the sausage look. To me, tall boots go with skirts, they’re why I even have all of those winter-weight skirts!

    • Mals86 says:

      Uggs are truly hideous. I keep seeing them on the girls at the middle and high schools around here, and I just want to take them aside and tell them that when they’re 30, they’ll look back at the Uggs and cringe, so they should just Stop the Insanity now.

      • Shelley says:

        I am giggling, but I am going to compose myself to stomp my foot in a juvenile manner and protest the following:

        1) These young girls stole the idea from the skeletal actresslets, who stole Uggs from ME;
        2) I solved the “you’ll rue this as a grown up” problem by not even considering them until I was a grown-up;
        3) If I only needed the fingers on one hand to list the fashion choices I made in junior high and high school, I’d be doing pretty well. ;)

        Okay, y’all can have resume now. (Is this what it is like for the Angel lovers when everybody starts to talk about retching? ;) :) )

        • Beth says:

          I agree that we all committed our fashion faux pas while in school. I did graduate in 1987, so I was a big part of the huge hair, big earrings craziness. However, I do believe there is a world of difference between that and my personal peeve, the pants BELOW the butt scene. It gets even worse when reinterpreted in my neck of the woods, suburban midwest. I saw a teen the other day with his baggy jeans belted at his thighs showing off a pair of tightie whities. C’mon, that’s not right. That’s not mini-skirts, twiggy-mod, emma peel, big hair, leisure suit crazy. That’s a whole other level of crazy.

          Sorry, /rant off ;P Back to the boot discussion …. now!

      • jenh says:

        Uggs are for comfortable. And cute. I know, Im in the minority.

        • Musette says:

          No, they ARE comfortable. And worn the way Shelley describes, they make perfect sense (I wore my first’s size 12 Sorrels to shovel snow, give the dog a quick pee (stuff your pj bottoms and bare feet into the Sorrels, throw on a parka and some mittens and you are toasty for quite a few minutes!)

          It’s the mini+Uggs thing that makes me :-& or b-(

          xoxo >-)

  • ula says:

    This fall/winter I’mgoing for the equestrienne, just bought a pair of wonderful,shiny black faux riding boots (but I’d secretly love the over-the-knee-pirate-of-the-caribbean look). I’m abiguous about heels, I love the way they look when worn but I can’t walk in them.I guess it’s an acquired skill. The only ‘high(er) heels’ I own arelike 2″ \:d/

    • Musette says:

      The equiney look really is nice, especially as nobody on Oak Street went for the whole “Man O’ War” look ( =)) – thanks for that, March!) The leggings or slim jeans just look great with those boots!

      xo >-)

  • Shelley says:

    MY DREAM WORLD: I am Emma Peel-ish…I wear over the knee boots like some folks wear Birkenstocks. I can walk, nay, chase down bad guys in them, go dancing, and remove them at the end of a busy-such day without pain or smell. Or chafing, for that matter.

    MY REAL WORLD: I have calves of power, which have made male friends cry. But do not translate well to skinny, tall, or kittenish boots. Which is just as well, because in my real world, I wear Børns like some folk wear Frye’s. Did you know Børn made boots? They are *awesome.* Not good for the tailored/riding look, but some are dressy enough. Others are cowboy-ish. They are all comfy, and have enough heel to give me the inch and a quarter I need to be a Tall Woman without the pain in the {fill in various body parts here} that real heels give me. Would give me, if I even looked at them.

    Anyway, one of the joys of approaching A Certain Age is that my feet aren’t shifting sizes from pregnancy and I’ve learned how to take care of shoes, so I actually have accrued a few pair over the centuries. (This, despite having to donate the shoes I gathered whilst selling at a Major Department Store to put myself through college; see aforementioned Great Pregnancy Shift in shoe size.) This year, I added a smooth leather nearly taupe with chocolate accents so dark they are nearly black.

    But of course, you know I don’t pay attention to these things. That would be my alter, Emma, who does come out at times.

    • Shelley says:

      Forgot to share my chuckle at good old Puss in Boots up there. I suspect March might have played into things, so I doff my cap to both of you. As if you were the Prince of Calabasas. ;)

      • Musette says:

        Isn’t he a doll? Well, actually he is! LOL! ;))

        That photo is from my Living Story Book that my papi got for me when I was 7 years old! The original was Cinderella – remember when I found a copy at Goodwill – the one I’d been looking for for nearly 30 years….found it for a dollar. Nearly fainted.

        PIB, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White round out my collection. There are others, but I didn’t have those as a child.

        Your boots sound incredible (the new ones). And no, I did not know that Born (how did you get the O to do that Scandinavian thing?) made boots? That Would Be A Good Thing.

        Like you, I’m all about comfort these days and luckily we are at a fashion place now where you can have both comfort and fashion – of a sort. Unlike these past seasons with the sky-high slides and the YSL Tribute Shoe From 8-x

        I’m liking this Season a LOT and I suspect I will be representing this Season for many more seasons to come, no matter what they deem ‘fashionable’!

        xoxo >-)

        ps. do you remember that quoted exchange?

        • Shelley says:

          Ah! Fabulous…how absolutely fabulous that you could retrieve such a book. I have my father’s Fairy Tales from his youth, and I treasure my collection book even as I mourn the flip-over book my mother “loaned” a friend. (Two tales in one book! I still have the Peter Pan/Alice in Wonderland one, but the other one contained a story about a hippo about which I was most fond.)

          Do I? Do I recall? LOL! What you didn’t include was the fabulous look on YOUR face as you were ready to take on the world for putting all those horses on the sidewalk…and looking in all directions, trying to figure out where the dang things were… ;)

          • Musette says:

            I remember your telling me of your heartbreak over the loss of that book. I felt that way with the Cinderella book and was overjoyed when I pulled out that little yellow-spined thing, just on a whim….AND FOUND MY BELOVED! <: -p Perhaps, one day, you will too. Interestingly, once I found it I found several copies floating around on the 'tubes! None for $1, though. xoxo>-)

    • Disteza says:

      I hear you on the calf thing–between fencing and flamenco, my calves are seriously scary. Thank goodness for Clark’s; they made a series of tall boots a couple years back with 15″ adjustable calves, and I snapped ’em up in a couple of different colors. They were comfortable (with a 3.5″ heel even!), and I’m so glad I bought them.

      • Shelley says:

        Oooh, Clark’s…I think I spent a couple of years teaching almost exclusively in ’em. What is this adjustable calf concept? Why am I wanting to smack some shoe execs forehead with a “duh” and a “d’oh!”? Yours sound fab; I’m glad you got them.

        • Shelley says:

          And now I read your comment below; I believe we are Evil Boot Twins who have a Twain where we meet. I would fight dogs for my Uggs. Fifteen years and going strong, putting the bare feet into boots and walking the dog through the drifts of snow, towing the kid in the sled, just getting out for some air.

          That said, you KNOW I do not look like the bony starlets with their scraggly legs sticking out of short skirts with Uggs on their feet. Though they might look Ugg-ly, I love ’em. :)

    • Catherine says:

      Oh, glorious–those boots sound heavenly. The *perfect* color!

  • Mellisu says:

    Ah… boots. Got married in boots! Yup, hand-made in San Antonio for the occasion. Still have ’em, and that was ..um over 30 years ago. Cost = $200 and it felt like a huge spurlge. That and the Opium (perfume version no less).

  • Beth says:

    Oooooh shoes/boots fashion show. Fun post! I too have the giant peasant calves, but have found some large calf boots to compensate. However if they’re bulky anyway it doesn’t work for me. I’m 6′ already, so over the knee is a lot of material to cover!

    I had a great pair of cowboy boots back when I rode and owned horses, but they got lost somewhere along the way. Boy do I miss them, especially after reading your posts. There’s something about a pair of those that you’ve got broken in just right. You can wear them over bare feet and they’re comfortable.

    Now in the business world I’m wearing mostly heeled boots. Last season was all about the pointy toe, this season they’re flat and square toe, it’s expensive to keep up so I stay pretty middle of the road. Heeled, black, sleek and easily paired with pants or skirts. However, I did get a pair of those open toed, ruffled, ankle boots that I laughed at everyone for wearing at first. Fashion, you are a fickle fickle friend.

    • Musette says:

      at 6′, in Tall Boots! Ooooh! ^:)^

      xoxo >-)

      • Beth says:

        Hah Musette, I used to think because I was tall I could never wear heels. It would make other people uncomfortable. I did the hunch walk that other tall women know well. But something changed and I basically decided to embrace my height. I wear heels with pleasure and even have some of the platform variety in my arsenal. Those are fun to wear on the days when I have something intimidating to handle in my day. Something about a person having to crane their neck to look up at you that just evens the court nicely. :-\”

        • Musette says:

          I am ^:)^ you. ^:)^ I say! At 5’9″ I am average/tall – but am dwarfed by my 4 paternal cousins, all of whom top out at 5’11″+. I so wanted to be that tall…..they are just gorgeous in their height and stride!

          If you ever come Chicago way, wear your highest boots! Let’s go scare some folks, okay?

          xo >-)

          • Beth says:

            Oooooh so tempting. Especially since I’m in West Michigan. Chicago is like New York to us here. I guess that makes New York like Paris and Paris like … hmmmm, well can Paris be like anything else?

            Just for you I’m wearing my 4″ heels with the 1″ platform tomorrow!

          • Musette says:

            YAY!

            xo >-)

            ps. when you DO plan to come to Chicago (c’mon – West Michigan is on the Right Side of the Lake, so you can’t be THAT far. I used to go to Watervliet for the day!) – anyhoodle, when you do decide to come over shout a holla! we area perfumistas regularly get together – or at least try!

            xo

          • Beth says:

            Well if you all get together and have lots of bottles for me to smell (remind self, pack a big purse for swiping), let me know! My collection is miniscule at the moment, tho I’m getting buried in samples … is that what heaven is btw? So many to smell, so little time!

    • Catherine says:

      I love it! Be as absolutely tall as you can possibly be! In awe…… :x

  • ladida says:

    I have giant peasant calves so no tall boots for me… (gives great heaving sob)….I have to settle for wearing my classic Fluevogs that I’ve had since college or my little flats from Target.

    • Musette says:

      OMG! =)) on the ‘giant peasant calves’! You folks know how to make a girl choke on her coffee!

      Like I said to Catherine, go to equestrian collections dot com (or any equest riding shop) – they have a huge range of sizes. I just watched a plus-sized girl (with plus-sized calves, which is why I’m mentioning it – not assuming you are plus-sized) – she rocked the English riding competition and wore a slammo pair of tall riders!! IMO field boots are more comfortable than performance ones but the look is the same.

      xo >-)

    • Mals86 says:

      I have that problem too. (Runs in the family – my petite, 5’1″ 15yo daughter, who weighs all of 103 pounds and wears a size 2, has hefty legs as well.)

      The last time I had a pair of boots higher than my ankles, they were Nine West cuffed slouch boots, tan leather, with a 1″ stacked heel… and I bought them in 1989. Wore them until they fell apart.

      I’ve been eyeing some of the boots at this website, though:
      widewidths.com. Some of those are just gorgeous.

      Had a conversation with tomboyish daughter last month about heels – she was complaining that she couldn’t “walk normally” in her little 1 1/2″ heels, that she had to put the ball of her foot down first instead of her heel, or she’d fall over. She positively goggled at me when I told her, “But honey, that’s how you learn to walk in heels.”

      • Musette says:

        ;))

        :-?……I’m trying to remember how I learned to walk in heels…anybody? do you remember? did we just ‘wing it’? seems odd, since so many would’ve either fallen over or broken something….

        xo >-)

        • Musette says:

          ps. what do you wear out in the field?

          xo >-)

          • Mals86 says:

            Honey, I don’t GO out in the field much. If I do go, I’m usually riding shotgun in the pickup for the sole purpose of opening gates, and I’ve got on Tingley boots over sneakers. Now that the kids are older, though, they get taken as gate openers. (The only farm-related activities I regularly participate in are doing the books and feeding orphan calves.)

            When my daughter was little, she kept begging to “go with Daddy,” but was squeamish about walking around in the pasture fields. We bought her a pair of rubber boots, and she was happy to stomp all over the field from then on, cowpies or no… she just hadn’t been accessorized properly.

          • Musette says:

            The devil is in the details!

            xo >-)

        • Disteza says:

          Toe-Heel? I’ve only ever walked Heel-Toe in heels. Seems like you’d be at risk of developing the clunky stump walk if you did it Toe-Hell, but maybe I’m crazy? BTW, my official diagnosis of foot pain while wearing uncomfortable shoes is Ho-Foot disease. My girlfriends and I often engage in pointing it out to each other. You know, like a PSA. :)

          • Mals86 says:

            Just while you’re learning to keep your balance in them. Poor daughter is totally bumfuzzled as to how to Not Fall Down.

          • Musette says:

            that makes perfect sense, now that my brain has balanced it out. Until you get the hang of it, going toe-first is the only way to get the feeling of being planted firmly on the ground. Later she will figure out the rest of it and learn how to rock a heel!

            xo >-)

        • Divalano says:

          I remember trying to walk the half mile home from high school in 5 inch platform Corkies, remember them? That was my high heel training, I think. All I know is that by 22 I was out dancing at the Ritz in vintage 50’s stiletto pumps til 4AM. At some point I must have learned …

    • Shelley says:

      Oh, dear…me, too…will be including that in my comment. Ah, well; my ancestors must have done well at retrieving the potatoes. :)

  • DinaC says:

    I bought myself a pair of dark brown Corso Como riding boots last year that I love, a pair of black Clarks flat “Union” (?) boots that I’ve had for many years, and a pair of white Frye cowboy boots that I’ve had since the 80s. I like leather boots on days when it’s cold and dry. Riding boots are such a classic, to me. I had a pair of Nine West ones for about 15 years that I wore until they had to be thrown out. So comfortable, practical and pretty.

    I wear a variety of flats for everyday: ballerina, loafers, mary janes, sneaker hybrid. I dress up on a regular basis, so I’ve got a nice collection of heels, but my heels aren’t outrageously high. My feet start hurting in heels higher than 3.5″, and I’m not a fan of platform heels. That’s a trend that can go away any day now, as far as I’m concerned.

    I love shoes, but have a hard time finding comfortable ones that I like. The curse of bony, buniony feet. I refuse to buy shoes unless they are instantly comfortable on my feet. And pretty, too. :-)

    • Musette says:

      The court shoes I mentioned in the post are Corso Como ‘Betty’ (I don’t know how to do a tiny url so y’all will have to Google, if you are interested). They are elegant, supportive and comfy as all get-out!

      I’m right with you on comfort. I’m not breaking a damn thing in anymore – not at this age- unless it’s a motorcycle or a Percheron.

      xo >-)

  • donanicola says:

    I love boots. Luuurrvvvve them. I have some square style cowboys, Fryes I think they are which are nicely weathered though I haven’t worn them in a while I would never throw them out. It’s court shoes/heels for the office during the day but out of work I alternate between a chestnut brown riding style and black bikers, jeans tucked in but also good with short skirts/dresses. Then there are the cuban heeled ankle boots which are pretty with skinnies. I’ve branched into high wedge shoes/boots this year, again with skinnies and short skirts – is that a UK/Europe look? I love wedges as the weight seems more evenly distributed and honestly a bit of a heel looks better than flats on me. I’m lusting after some Belstaff boots with about a 2/3 inch heel. Come the sales my eyes will be peeled! Good weekend all.

    • Musette says:

      I saw some wedges, too! They looked GREAT with a short skirt and leggings. If it’s a small wedge it looks great, imo! I’m not a huge fan of the platform, either and a tall wedge throws off my equilibrium, for some reason. My back prefers just a bit of height as well – I’m fine with a flattish, stacked heel – can’t do a moc or a totally flat shoe at all! My back and hip ain’t havin’ it!

      xo >-)

  • pam says:

    Loved reading about the boots. Wrote about my experiences with boots, and then it refused to post!
    I love the tall boots, but have given up trying to wear them because of my height and build. I feel like a tree stump in them! However, I was unable to wear heels for many years due to a foot problem, and now I am back in them (mainly on the weekends). I’ve had to re-learn how to walk in these things.

    • Musette says:

      sorry about the non-posting. Site is kinda crabby today (kicked me off three times!)

      It is weird to have to relearn how to walk in heels, innit? When I first got down here I would spend all day in heels, just to keep in practice. Gave that up awhile ago. Prolly should return to it, lest my feet realign themselves into some semblance of normalcy!

      xo >-)

      ps. LOL! on the tree stump (not AT you, of course). If one is short it’s a bit of a challenge (I’m definitely not short but have gained a bunch of weight so tall boots require some real thought before I stomp out of here in them). But it can be done. I saw a couple of short, not-stick women ROCK a tall boot….alas, there was another shawtie in a pair of pirate boots and a swing coat who ended up looking like Puss up there in the picture.

  • Ann N. says:

    Fun post, Anita! I can’t rock any boots due to a bad case of plantar fasciitis, so am sticking to my Brooks Ariel sneakers. But am enjoying the fashion show you guys are putting on. And thanks, Anita, for the blast from the past with Maud Frizon. Hers were some to-die-for shoes, weren’t they? Anyone remember Charles Jourdan? Back in college (early ’80s), I had a killer pair of his high-heel suede pumps in the most gorgeous shade of emerald green. Alas, the 4-inch heels did about kill me near the end, but I looked good while it lasted.

    • Musette says:

      Hey, sweetie! Ow! on the pf! :((

      Ho, yus! on the Jourdans – up until about 3 years ago, when I finally just said ‘enough’ I had a pair of sky-high silver CJ slingbacks. The most painful shoes in this Universe! The last time I wore them was with a silver cocktail dress and I spent the entire evening envying another woman who’d worn a floor-length gown and flats! :-w

      Emerald green suede……le droooool.

      My foot-destroyers were Andrew Geller pumps. Remember those? A friend and I each bought a pair of his iconic pumps (basic Manolo-ish style) hers were black, mine brown. Both of us ended up at the podiastrist!

      xo >-)

  • Vidalicious says:

    Am rockin’ the MBT’s, those nerdy but perky-butt rolling-heel thingamabobs, they are the most comfortable shoes EVAH! Too bad they’re SO UGLY. (Idea! They would make one heck of a pair of boots)

  • waftbycarol says:

    I bought a pair of greige flat boots when I was in NYC – not tall , but they look great with my skinny jeans and suits !
    lots of straps and buckles . Can’t do tall ones in Florida , well don’t want to…

    • Musette says:

      I love the color ‘greige’ – seriously! It’s one of those perfect, elegant colors! and ‘not tall’ makes perfect sense for Florida. The idea of any tall boot, other than a wader (to keep the snakes off ya) just seems bizarre, especially on the coast….like me wearing sandals here in February.

      xo >-)

    • Catherine says:

      I want to buy something greige just so I can say the word. I love how it rolls out of the mouth.

      I see some new nail polish in my future… Just need to remember which line had the greige one.

  • Louise says:

    Daytimes it’s flats all the way. I’m on my aching feet at work most of the time, so I live in flat boots and clogs. Not going for sexy here (work is at a school).

    But I love my variety of flattish boots-from motorcycle to tiny kitten heels, Frye tradtionals, granny lace ups, etc. And cheap pair of over-the-knee that are very comfortable, and look good with the tight jeans, leggings, and for high-low, with an feminine dress.

    I will break out the heels for evening-it does enhance the legs, but I’m limiting to mostly sitting and milling in these babes.

    Ooooh, must go show-watching soon!

    • Louise says:

      er, shoe-watching…show, too!

      • Musette says:

        Yeah, baby!! Your collection sounds grand! I’m in steel toes, more and more, as I spend more time in the field with customers….I always feel like I’m encased in…steel? There’s a polymer alternative but they cost the earth and since I don’t have to wear them except in the field I decided against them……:-?..wish I hadn’t.

        Heels do look great for evening, don’t they? I still love to dress up, when the occasion allows. Down here it’s unusual but when I go back up to Chicago I always take a pair of heels – hey! ya nebber know…

        xo >-)

    • Divalano says:

      Love the “sitting & milling” shoes, aka “taxi heels” in NYC, since we don’t generally have cars. Alas, the last time I wore my 4 inch pointy toed stiletto knee boots for sitting at dinner they made my feet hurt SITTING DOWN. Fie on aging feet, fie!!

  • Madea says:

    Tom’s shoes. My wheelchair is broken, so I have to walk (which is do-able, but it hurts) and these are the only shoes that give me adequate support but aren’t hideous, clunky sneakers.

    I’d like a pair of nice black lace up books–Victorian style, no zippers.

    On a similar note, I scored an adorable little vintage leather purse at SA for $3.00 the others day. Hurrah! I think it’s from the eighties–long, long strap and the purse itself is just large enough for my id holder, a lipstick and a comb. It’s awesome :)

  • tmp00 says:

    The shoes I’m wearing are the same ones I’ve been wearing since I was a kid: Topsiders and Bean Blucher Mocs,

    But G-d love you for reminding me of a world where there were Maud Frizon pumps..

    • Musette says:

      This is the thing I envy most about men – the ability to look good in comfortable shoes, always! Rarely do you hear a man say ‘ow. my feet hurt’

      xo >-)

      • tmp00 says:

        Well, I don’t know about looking good but I’m still going to wear them since the only other shoes I’ve had that had that out-of-the-box made for me fit were Prada and over $400.

  • Catherine says:

    I bought boots–flat boots. Expensive even after Nordstrom’s sale. And, then, I bought them *even after* a half hour in Nordstrom’s “breaking them in” so my darn huge feet could fit in them (I was breathing so hard the SA actually said something about it–lordie, who trains them these days), but when I got them home, I still couldn’t get my darn huge feet in ’em.

    I took them back (of course–who wants expensive boots they can’t force their feet into). The *old* pair of flat boots are going to have to do. Especially as the snow begins Saturday.

    Lordie. I’m sick of Minnesota. Anyone want to trade?

    • waftbycarol says:

      I have a big house , you’re all invited to Florida , we can
      rock-the-boot-look for the dolphins !
      And there’s coffee , right musette ?

    • Musette says:

      C,

      You just got there!

      Can you drag him to Berlin?

      Re your boots – go to Equestrian Collections and see if you like their boots – they have larger sizes (you make yourself sound like Godzilla with the feet, btw – and I don’t recall any Godzilla-feet! You are GORGEOUS! And so are your feet!

      xo >-)

      • Catherine says:

        Just yesterday I yelled out, “I hate the middle of winter!” And the boyfriend calmly looked up: “Honey, this is the beginning of winter.”

        I know, I know, I just got here. Maybe his job hunt (he’s applying everywhere for a new tenure position) has got us/me particularly antsy. I *DO* have him looking for international posts.

        Equestrian Collections?! I’ll go! And why didn’t I think about asking horsey people about boots?! I’m so much more interested in classic, simple boots than the ones with zippers, laces, and frilly measures (unlike said boyfriend who wants them to lace all the way up to the netherland!).

        Re: the “huge” feet. That SA–the one who made the snarky comment about how hard I was breathing…. When I pulled the boot off the rack to try on, he also made a snarky comment about how huge the thing was. I swear, that guy–why didn’t I walk away.

        xoxo You’re super sweet to say such lovely things. xoxo

        • Musette says:

          8-x to that SA.

          What a :@)

          next time, get another SA. Seriously. You are not there to be insulted. Even better? Next time, bring a bat!

          xo >-)

          • Catherine says:

            Musette, that Equestrian Collections…. FAB! I love ALL the boots! I am definitely getting a pair. I just need to decide if I was field or dressage. I’m more a dressage-look person, but the ties for the field boots would be different. I already know my heart’s desire, a “baroque” dressage, but they don’t have my size. Drats!

            This website is going to be my downfall! All the boots are so pretty!

        • March says:

          I am shocked by this, usually in Nordstrom, of all places, the sales people are exceedingly well trained and polite.

          • Musette says:

            maybe his feet hurt?

          • Catherine says:

            I know. It was shocking. I also find Nordstrom people very nice. But maybe it was the chaos of the sale. There were a lot of male SAs standing around, having to rehang/reshelf all these right shoes/boots. Most weren’t snarky *to* me, but they were definitely on edge. The woman at the register was so frazzled and tired and just *not there* that she would have definitely seemed rude had she not been clearly about to fall over. And it was 2pm. So that’s what was going on. But, hand on heart, will never let that mean SA near me again!

  • Divalano says:

    Ohhh, my latest cowboy boots are Luccheses, love them. I’m very loyal to good boots, have cared for these & worn them constantly for 6 yrs. Before that I had Stewarts. And those Flavios are a lot like the riding jodphurs I had as a kid. I bet you could find similar in an equestrian shop.

    (How to get me to post to the perfume blog when there is no time to post … write about boots. oy. the other addiction)

    • Musette says:

      I’m a Tony Lama and Rocketbuster gal meself but that’s the magpie in me…;))

      Looking at equestrian boots …totally different from my sport (hitch driving). You’re either in muck boots or a dressy flat shoe, if you’re in the wagon. And the ‘cowboy’ boots are a definite square toe, which isn’t nearly as delightful as the pointed-toe Westerns….but way more practical, I guess…=((

      xoxo >-)

      • Divalano says:

        Both my Stewarts & my Luccheses are square toe, but a very tapered square toe, much narrower than say, a harness boot. They taper enough to be pointed in spirit ;)

    • March says:

      My sister in law who teaches dressage says the same thing about those boots, but I have never been able to find them online or in a tack shop or wherever. (we have a fancy one here in Potomac.) So I will continue to live without. 🙁 But someday…

      Good boots will last forever if properly cared for, for sure. I miss the boot repair place in Santa Fe, with its dozens of fabulous pairs of cleaned, shined and refurbed (mostly cowboy) boots waiting for their owners to come claim them. It smelled amazing.

      • Mary says:

        I carefully tend and treasure my old dressage boots– but they are for riding–not for comfort, not for fashion. For comfort and fashion, I found a pair of Joan and David faux riding boots a couple of years ago– at a thrift store! They were brand new! And they fit! They are black, with a strip of brown leather on top, low heel, and pointed toe. They go with everything, business suit and jeans, and are my go to rain boots. But, to thrift good boots, you gotta look around mid summer. :)>-

        • Divalano says:

          Oh let’s don’t even begin talking boot care. I have a boot care day at the start of the winter: saddle soap, a good massage with some Hubbard’s, and then the next day, a good polish. I’m torn about these Frye’s … I think they’re closer to an oil cured finish so I think they’ll get Hubbard’s & that’s it.

          Yes, go ahead, you can call it a fetish ….

  • March says:

    Fall — boot weather. Yum. I have a lot of boots, which are great for my funny feet. As you probably know, if they work on your feet, cowboy boots are surprisingly comfy. I have a pair of Luccheses and several pairs of Noconas. And that’s not addressing the dress boots… or the naughty boots.

    Right now I am coveting the Flavio boots from Ferragamo, which are pretty much identical to the vintage boots I wore out completely in college. (I think they are a riding boot design.) Unfortunately the Flavios are $850 and only come in men’s sizes, so I won’t be buying them. I still pine for those boots. Wore them until they fell apart.

    http://tinyurl.com/flavioboot2

  • Divalano says:

    I love the sexy flat boot! Living in NYC I walk miles a day, plus my feet & back are much older than I am (ahem) & don’t like heels.
    I always have a pair of pointy black cowboy boots & I’ve been known to rock the engineer boot/skinny jeans look; that can be funky/sexy but I wouldn’t call it femme-hot. Last time I had sexy *femme* flat boots was the 80s. So yeah, I splurged this season, I figured it was now or never … if we have to wait 30 years for this to come around again I may be a bit beyond the hawt boots phase of my life. I did consider the equestrian look but I couldn’t up $600+ for faux riding boots. I briefly considered getting the real deal but wasn’t sure they were as comfy for walking as sitting on a horse. I ended up with Fryes, the same brand as my first “real” boots back in the 70’s. And my, my how the Frye brand has expanded their repertoire!
    I got these: http://www.zappos.com/frye-jenna-chain-tall-black-pebbled-leather They come up to my knees for that gay leatherboy chic, but with totally femme little chain garnishes. I haven’t gotten the nerve to wear them to work with leggings yet but come 20 degrees I totally intend to do it.

    • Musette says:

      I am not into competition riding so can’t speak to the riding/jumping boot for comfort-I never see anybody in them unless they are at the ring. The Hermes ones are based on the jumper design but lack the back-zip, etc Field boots are extremely comfortable and much in line with what out now. Farm and Fleet/Farm King/Tractor Supply……all for about 1/4 of what our beloved Nordies/Barneys and, Lord love ’em, Hermes, has to offer.

      But! were I overflowing with money and good cheer and was gonna buy a ‘concrete’ (v. field) boot here ’tis

      Diva, I think those, with a thick legging and a long tunic/sweater would be KILLLLLAH!

      xo >-)

      • Divalano says:

        Ohhhh pretty! You do know it’s all I can do NOT to look up Farm & Fleet, right??

        Yes, to the Frye’s with a thick legging & big sweater. Also, black mini & little sweater, sweater tights & over the knee socks …. all black or black & charcoal …. it’s really really kickass! Makes me feel just as hawt as tottering about in heels, just in a different way.

    • March says:

      OK fashion question for you and anyone else on here who rides (or has good taste): I live in a pretentious city, as you know. My (dressage) sister in law has a pet peeve about women who run errands in jodhpurs and paddock boots, that “I’m just popping in after my morning on Man O’ War” look. Her attitude is, if you WERE with horses, ew. Go shower and change. If not, get over yourself.

      So, I just bought these pants that are very jodhpur like but they are black, not cream, and they are NOT actual riding breeches, which seems clear to me. But similar styling. I want to avoid, say, blazer and short flat boots as too faux-rider-ish. The tall boots look silly (like I forgot my pants.) Flats seem like a cop out but maybe not… my high heeled Ken Cole lace-ups? These are crying out for a wedge ankle boot, maybe…

      • Musette says:

        wedge ankle boot (or a variation on the boot you linked to). I’m with K. If you just got off a horse, get in the shower and then change your clothes. The ONLY time you should be in riding/dressage clothing is……..? And fwiw, you should either be IN competition or on your way to it. Of course, around here people actually WORK their horses and muck out their own stalls, etc (I told the owner of the Shining Star hitch ‘you can tell you’re the owner’ – as he was mucking out Gator’s stall. They are in Mucks or, if they’ve been stepped on too many times, steel-toe boots.

        Ditch the blazer, the ascot and the crop and you should be okay!

        ;))

        xo >-)