Monday, March 28, 2011

Battle Of The Booties

I never used to understand the appeal of booties on petites... they either cut off the leg line or have to be worn with matching tights, thus limiting their versatility.  But just like how I initially felt about skinny jeans, my feelings toward booties have been slowly changing.  I still don't currently own a single pair of booties, but have been more open-minded about adding them to my shoe collection.  I picked up a few pairs of Ann Taylor shoes a while back when they were having their big shoe sale, and finally got around to taking some pics!

The first pair is the Lily Lace-up Canvas Peep Toe Bootie in size 5.5:

And the second pair is the Lace Bootie in size 5.5:

  Here's how they look on the feet:


Please ignore the hot pink nail polish.  I recently tried on my little sister's polish but was too lazy to wipe off even though it's a little loud for my taste.

Another close-up:


The lace bootie was absolutely gorgeous online (see post), but got a thumbs down from both hubby and my Mom in person.  The appearance is hard to describe, but almost looks like lace-printed nude fabric more than anything (I'm not sure what else I was expecting I suppose).  The nude/lace part is rather crinkly and noticeably doesn't match my skin tone.  But I do like the unique lace design and since it's black, it could potentially go with more outfits and can also be worn with tights.

While they both have a 4.25" heel (with a small hidden platform in front), the canvas peep toe pair is a little more comfortable whereas the lace pair digs into my ankle a bit.  And while I do like the neutral color of the canvas pair, it seems strictly a spring/summer shoe because of the peep toe, and is also a little pricey at $103.  Styling it is another issue, although it's pretty cute on Chloe and here are some more ideas from Ann Taylor: 



One last look to compare the two:

So which would you keep?  Or neither...  or both??

37 comments:

  1. Booties are so "city chic"! I love them. The lace bootie looks SO MUCH like the heels I wore to the Toronto blogger meet-up! For some reason though...the pattern looks better on my pair..I don't think it was made for boots. :P I really like the lace-up pair except I probably would've chosen forest moss or black. It's definitely a different style and I'd probably keep that pair, if any.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I actually really like the first pair. The lace bootie does look nice on the website, but now looking at it on your feet, it's not exactly what I was expecting. The black tips (forget the actual name) make it look really awkward.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like the lace up but $103 is high for shoes you don't LOVE.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yay, booties! My favorite kind of shoe! I'm not a big fan of the lace one but really like the oxford bootie style, although I'd only advise you to keep it if you like the menswear-inspired style (I personally love it but I know it's not for everyone). They look great with short skirts/dresses, especially uber-girly ones (since the manliness offsets the girliness and makes it look super cool).

    Btw I have a pair of booties with a low dip in the front like the ones you're showing, and it really doesn't work with my skinnies that don't have much bunching at the bottom (like my Gap legging jeans). The gap between the shoe and jean just looks awkward, which might be why you're not really feeling it. With my Paige skinnies that I purposely asked the tailor to leave a lot of fabric on when I got them hemmed, they look awesome. Flares would work too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I LOVE the lace up pair! They are too cute and unique! I think it's definitely a spring/summer shoe with the color and peep toe, but nothing wrong that! Out of the two, I say keep those.
    I'm not sure if it's the angle, but the lace ones look a bit...longer? They're cute, but not as nice as the lace ups.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm not the biggest "bootie" fan but I actually don't mind the first pair.
    I just wanted drop by and say hi and say that I love your blog...I'm a med student doing my basic sciences (I'm actually supposed to be studying right now...hehehe)
    Have a great night!

    ReplyDelete
  7. i actually didn't get into the whole bootie trend until this past year and they really grew on me too! i prefer first pair of peep-toe booties and think they look really great with jeans.

    cute & little

    ReplyDelete
  8. i fell in love with the first one at first sight! it's colourful and spring and a bigger risk but i really like it, as you said with tights or with bare legs for the summer. keep that one!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Haha, I know what you mean about your opinion slowly changing. I was the same way about skinny jeans and the Loft wool trousers. But after seeing the Loft pants on Kelly, Jean, Elle, and Jen... my mind was totally changed, lol. Jean and Anh have changed my mind on booties as well. My initial thought was to vote for the lace booties because the peep-toe nature of the other pair makes it less versatile. But seeing your side-by-side photos, the peep-toes look much better. But if versatility is what you're looking for (instead of just a "fun" pair), I would say neither and go with a black pair first.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sorry, I don't like the look of booties, so I'm going to say neither. Also, those are a pretty big heel so no practical wear for them. But thanks for the posting the pics!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Peeptoe lace-ups for the win! I have a feeling you will get a lot of wear out of them, they're so lady like.. I've got a million outfits forming around them and they're not even sitting in my arsenal lol!

    ReplyDelete
  12. i love the first peep toe booties. it think that one will be easier to style and will go will more. i love that its lace up too.

    i don't know how i feel about the lace one from AT. there is something about the toe part that is off.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I adore the first pair very much but they may be difficult to style (I am sure you are creative than I am). I was thinking what would look good with them..perhaps with a pair of capri. They are super cute though.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The menswear fanatic in me really likes the first canvas pair! The lace didn't work to well in real life, which is bummer b/c they looked so good on the website! If you're going to keep either...definitely the canvas pair. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. It took me FOREVER to get into the idea of booties, but I love them! I vote for the canvas pair - it seems more classy and works with so many pieces. In fact, you're making ME want the canvas pair it looks so awesome on you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like the lace up one...I think its so adorable. The lace one does look weird - do not like it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love both, I saw the lace booties in stores (a sad return in size 5) a while ago and wish I had small feet so I can fit into them. I think they are great for when you have to dress up. The canvas pair is also a winner IMO because of how versatile they appear to be! Sorry to be completely unhelpful, I love booties, what can I say? :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a timely post, Liane! I've been searching for a pair of booties myself :) Initially I thought for sure the lace ones were a keeper. But looking at your side-by-side modeling pics, the peep-toes look far better on you. The lace ones make your feet look longer and larger, whereas the first pair makes your feet look dainty. It's a nice contrast because of the menswear look. I vote to keep the first one!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love the first pair so much! I totally wish I could afford to get them...they are awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I agree with Cee that the lace booties don't seem to conform to your feet as well as the lace up kind. But I do think the lace booties are worth keeping for other outfits I just can't think of any at the moment. =0P

    ReplyDelete
  21. I don't like the lace one. I say return. The canvas one is nice. I bought it online as well and already returned it a while back. To me this pair is nice, but not over $100 nice. If you have to keep one, definitely the canvas one.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I loove booties and although I really liked the canvas ones since the day I saw them debuted in an ad, I don't think they are worth $100+ especially since you mentioned the peep toe and 4 inch heel makes them less versatile. I agree with another commenter to return and start your bootie collection with a more versatile, plainer pair that you can see yourself wearing a lot?

    If you must keep one of these though, canvas gets my vote for sure. THe lace ones did look gorgeous on line but eeks, not so much "in person" ?

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love funky shoes and both pairs are definitely different but the canvas pair looks better on real feet so that would be my vote. Good choice!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love the tailored look of the canvas peep toe bootie but if you think can only wear during spring/summer reconsider because the price is a bit steep in this case. I considered this booties when AT offered the $50 discount but I ended getting the Linen Knot Peeptoe Pumps. I love them, I know I'll get a lot wear of this. For the booties, I'd just wait to buy a more versatile pair as others had mentioned. They are very pretty though and look great on you ^.^

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ah!! I love the canvas ones!! So hot! I also think you can get more wear out of them since they can be styled more casual or dressy. I love how Ann Taylor has them paired with cuffed jeans.

    Hope to see these styled on you in the future! :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I feel exactly the same way about booties!! I still have bought my first pair yet. I've been trying them on during the past couple months but haven't found any that I like. I like your first pair more, but I think I would buy closed toe for my first pair because they'll be more versatile?

    -Lor

    ReplyDelete
  27. How do they look with skirts / dresses? I am partial to the canvas one - it's lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Usually I love booties, but neither works in color of pattern. Just my opinion though :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Tough call. They are both so adorable, but I guess the oxfords might be a touch more versatile.

    Chic on the Cheap

    ReplyDelete
  30. Like the shoes...they are of different kinds and they look very stylish and modern.Like the wide range of colors that are displayed here...must haves actually.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hot pink nails are looking good too ^^
    I think most of korean people(even guys) like to wear petite shoes in Korea and the problem is it's gonna hurt your feet so bad. Anyway it looks so pretty in your feet :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. The first pair are just the most adorable things I have ever seen. I might have to go find them myself :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. i love the lace boots.

    the-renaissance-of-inner-fashion.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  34. Amazing shoes! I found the same on this site Originalluxury

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...