Last winter I debated whether or not I should participate in the trend of tucking my jeans into mid-calf or knee-high boots. I bought two pair and ended up returning both, deciding to sit this trend out. I just couldn’t get comfortable in the look, no matter how warm and cozy they felt.
Well, here we are again, another winter, and I am once again contemplating The Boots. I have a gazillion high-heeled ankle boots in my closet (warm, flattering worn under bootcut jeans, but not practical for everyday running around town) and eleventy-two pairs of cute flats (cute, comfy, practical for running around town, but coooooold for these PA winters). I am already cursing the cold and my shoe dilemma.
Last weekend I was in NYC and I noticed that everyone is wearing tall boots over jeans. Don’t you like how I say everyone like I’m some adolescent asking to go to an unchaperoned party? Sheesh. What am I, 13? Anyway, I once again started fantasizing about their warmth and comfort, and then before I knew it, I was walking out of the mall carrying these. (I did NOT pay that much. They were on a mega sale.)
But I’m still not sure about them. And the look as a whole. On me, that is. I think YOU look smashing, as always.
I’ve been watching the second season of Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style, and the thing I really like about his show is that he doesn’t tell his pupils what to wear; he forces his pupils to decide for themselves what works for them, and they develop a sense of their own personal style and confidence in making decisions.
I am learning that a lot of the fashion faux pas I’ve made over the years are the result of trying to wear something that I like on others but doesn’t really suit my personal style. I’m trying to be more discerning when editing my wardrobe and when shopping for new pieces. One thing I’ve learned is to go with my instincts. If I have to hem and haw and generally convince myself that I like what it is I’m trying on, that’s probably a signal that it’s not right for me, even if I can’t put my finger on why.
So back to my boot dilemma. You know how sometimes you put something on in the dressing room and you just know it’s right. If you don’t get that feeling, does that mean it’s wrong? Or does it sometimes mean you just need to get used to it?
Dish. What do you say?
I think that look is great on some people.. I know I couldn’t pull it off so I haven’t even tried. However, if you like the look on others then you might just need to get to use to it a little bit.
oh my yes, i was in the city the full day of the leap frog event and YES i was shocked at all the boots. EVERY where. i am a fashion nightmare, and i will probably just skip this boot trend and stick with what i got……
Well… We need to see a picture before we can tell if it suits you! So get snapping! I wanna see!
Very good point! I love the way the boots look on other people, but when I do it I just feel like I look like I’m expecting a smutty day! But I *never* think they look smutty on other people, *I* just feel that way when I wear them. Weird.
Love the boots, but I wear my knee high boots UNDER my jeans!
I don’t like the over the pants boots. Not practical here, unless they are for snowmobiling. But, if they are warm, they are what is needed.
I love the trend but have never been able to pull it off. I have bootcut jeans and they just don’t “sit” right in the boots. Also, I have an hourglass figure and although I am far from heavy, I feel that the jeans tucked into the boots brings too much attention to my lower half and makes my hips look bigger than they would otherwise. I’m not sure if it’s that they don’t lengthen my leg enough or something else. I guess that I’ll just sit this trend out…
Ohhhh, I wish I knew the answer to your question. I seem to have terrible luck in finding my personal style. Especially since I’m about 20 pounds heavier than I was in college. The “personal style” that I want requires a very skinny body. So I need to either stop with the Oreos, or change my style. Change the style, it is. Maybe I’ll try to catch Tim Gunn.
I did read something cool yesterday: When you’re considering buying something on sale, ask yourself if you’d buy it full-price. If you say no, then pass on it.
I don’t know if I can totally apply that, or I’d never buy anything.
But I like the concept.
I agree…boots ARE everywhere. I bought my first pair last weekend and am in fact wearing them right now (jeans tucked in and all). I think you would look great in them.
I do recommend buying at least one pair of skinny jeans. It makes the tucking cleaner.
I own a pair of UG’s. Those are the only boots I own. What’s funny is that every time I shoe shop I’m forever looking at boots and threatening to buy a pair but then I never find the just right pair. Maybe one of these days I’ll find that perfect paid and actually buy them
I’m a fan of boots over jeans. I think it just takes time to get used to the idea. I’m a believer that being fashion forward requires a little bit of risk combined with personal style.
I say wear ‘em out, at least to try. You may find yourself feeling comfortable in the style as the day goes on. And if it doesn’t, then you find a bathroom or secluded place, pull your pants out of your boots, and go on. But give it a try.
I agree with you that in a lot of the trendier styles, I tend to not be able to pull it off. Does that make sense? I usually wait and those trends that stick around for a while – the less risky ones are the ones I can do. I guess it takes that long for my mind to adjust and say “ok, this does look alright on me.”
I’m glad you mentioned that we should be comfortable in our own skin and the clothes we decide to wear.
I think it is something to get used to. After all we have been seeing nothing skinny at the bottom of our legs for quite some time now. And for that whole time we’ve been told that skinny clothes at the bottom of our legs is all wrong.
It will take some time to get used to it!!
The picture wouldn’t load, so I couldn’t see the boots. I will say that I know this trend is not for me. I would feel absolutely ridiculous. I’m like you–I go with what feels good to me, not what is trendy. And I do think if you are not sure about it (especially at that cost!), you should probably take a pass again. Maybe you could find some cute boots with a stacked heel, that is more stable and better for running errands, but still worn under pants. And I wish I got to watch Tim Gunn.
Well I’m not sure if its a good look generally either but I am sure it is NOT a good look on me. I think it can work if you are very thin and have a boyish figure – if you have hips forget it!
A stylist once told me that the key to looking good is to only wear things that suit you and nothing looks worse than someone trying to be cool by wearing a look that doesn’t suit them. So I’d rather look good than cool!
I absolutely adore this trend. I am short and definitely need to be careful, especially while I am carrying extra baby weight (still…sigh). Anyway – totally go for it. those boots are rockin’. I just ordered Frye’s campus boot and can not wait to try them!
post a pic with you wearing them!
Can’t do the boot tuck in thing. Just not flattering unless you are wearing skinny jeans (which are clearly the work of the devil or some designer whose never had children.)
I KNOW I cannot do the skinny jeans/boots tucked in look. And so yes, as I get older and wiser I just know there are certain trends that I won’t be following! Like, ever…
And, I think I’ve put this in a comment on here before but my mother always says “When in doubt, don’t buy” and that has saved me many a time!
Crap. Now I’m gonna have to buy some boots.
I think it’s a little of both. There have been times when I feel super weird wearing the latest trend. Sometimes, that feeling goes away once I work up the nerve to wear the item out of the house and find that no one laughs at me (at least not to my face!). Other times, I feel uncomfortable no matter how many times I wear it. With the former case, it’s usually just a matter of me stepping out of my comfort zone. But, if I experience the latter, I ditch the trend for something that’s more “me.”
You know, I just had this debate with myself before I went out on Sat. I think it looks great, but I also think you have to have the right bod. to pull it off. I am not sure I have it…So, I chickened out…I love the look though!
LOVE THEM!
I am a huge fan… I jumped in with both feet and bought a pair of really cool knee high over the jean boots – just like you I already had the “under the jean” boots. But I will be honest, I felt a little crazy wearing them the first time, like it didn’t feel right. But now, I love them!! It’s a really easy way to bring a whole outfit immediately up to date (if that is what you are looking for) or to be REALLY cozy!
Yes, as Lisa and Amy said, you MUST wear a skinny jean in order to wear the boots. Even thin pants will look funny tucked in if they are not of the skinny variety. Believe me. I KNOW. I got the boots, and three months later, I got the jeans. By that time, it was too warm for the boots.
But if you are not comfortable, then you are not comfortable. And that is okay.
I need two new pairs of boots this year. My black and my brown ones have about had it.
I too have been contemplating this trend. I may give it a go, but I agree, you have to be feelin’ it (and for me, that usually involves waiting until others have been feelin’ it for months and months already).
EVERYONE was wearing their boots like this in Chicago, too.
So, I have been on the same wavelength about what to do.
I do love the boots you got there, though.
Maybe you should not wear them yet and look a little more to see if you find some that just give you that feeling. I shop on that feeling a lot and really am trying to pay attention to what works on my and what doesn’t.
Hi, This is my first visit to your blog and I love the design! About today’s blog, ss the years go by, I’m getting more and more picky. I’ve decided that if I don’t LOVE something, why spend the money? It has to feel so “me” that I don’t even think about what I’m wearing. That way I’m free to focus on people.
I’m such a dork. I’ve been wondering where you’ve been not realizing you changed sites. Duh. Now I have a lot of catching up to do.
I have the same boot dilemma and clothes in general. I never know when they work or not and if I just have to get comfortable seeing myself in this or that or if it’s just wrong for me.
Yeah, I just think those boots are too trendy, with the scrunch look. A practical way to go, and what I’ve done, is to get a pair of more classic looking boots that look good with the jeans over them, but that can be worn with jeans tucked in on a day when the snow is high enough that it would get the bottom of my jeans wet.
If I were to do it over, I would buy a little bit more bulky riding boot style, rather than the very slim style I got, but I like my boots and one pair is enough.
Hope you find something!