Black bootie

I've had these black faux suede glitter booties for a few years now, and while I like them, I don't love them. I decided this fall I wanted to find a suitable black bootie replacement - leather, not too high, able to work with both denim and dresses. Comfortable.

Since the beginning of November I've been searching, buying, and subsequently, returning boots. As of this weekend, I've returned a dozen pairs, and I'm wondering if the perfect bootie even exists. I'm also wondering if DSW has a blacklist for people who return too much?

I even ventured out of my budget to give the scalloped booties from Jack Rogers a try (once they finally went on sale) and they went back as well. They were cute, but the leather was very stiff and the cut is too low to actually be a sensible winter boot to be worn with real socks.

As we approach the end of January, I wonder if I should just give up the search? Last I was in TJMaxx there were more options for swimsuits than boots...

Perhaps next year?

houndstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties-1.jpghoundstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties-4.jpghoundstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties-2.jpghoundstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties-7.jpghoundstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties-6.jpghoundstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties-3.jpghoundstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties-5.jpghoundstooth coat, white denim, glitter booties.jpg
The Rundown
Black Merino Wool Sweater Gap
White Jeans Old Navy
Houndstooth Coat Kohl's similar
Glitter Booties Union Bay via TJMaxx similar
Bag Linea Pelle "Astor" c/o Serendipity and Grace
Grey Cashmere Scarf Banana Republic
Chevron Earrings Express similar
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Arrow Bracelet Furbish Studio similar
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx
Nail Color "50 Years of Style" OPI
iPhone Case Rifle Paper Co.

and


34 comments

  1. So annoying! I guess I got lucky when I found my Vince Camuto pair, haha. Loving this look though, great Winter White outfit
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  2. At least you return your boots unlike me! I'm always looking for the perfect black bootie and I have at least 4 pair now and while I like them like you I don't love them. I did get a pair from Madewell recently which are now sold out and they are pretty close to the perfect black bootie. Love your look Lydia, super cute coat.

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  3. Cool coat and I love white jeans with it!

    Ann | http://annrobiefashion.com/

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  4. It is so annoying when you want something you have in your head, and then can't find it in person...I can totally relate! I do love the glitter on these boots!

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  5. Not being able to find what you are looking for is so frustrating, but at least you aren't settling, which is more than I can say for myself. I get much to impatient! You look great in this black and white combo. So classic!

    Shannon
    Clothes & Quotes

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  6. So beautiful! Love that coat :)

    http://floralsandsmiles.blogspot.ca/
    twitter.com/floralandsmiles

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  7. I hate when I can't find something that I've visualized in my head! And boo for all those swimsuits out already. It's just getting to the coldest part of the year. I can't imagine swim season yet!

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  8. I'm sorry you're having a tough time finding the perfect pair - that blows. And these ones are seriously soooo cute....

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  9. Great booties, and that coat is really nice! Looking good!

    ~Whitney
    www.whitneynicjames.com

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  10. Ahh, I remember those booties- I wore mine down to the ground! It can be hard to find the perfect black bootie. That's probably why I've gone through so many pairs!

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  11. Black booties were the biggest pain in my booty this year. I found a pair that I really like. While they didn't look exactly like what I wanted, they were pretty darn close and have been very comfortable. They're suede with a short shaft, zipper on the back, and just enough heel. The ones on my wishlist were way out of my price range and there's no way I can justify spending as much as a house payment on a pair of shoes, even if I own them for several years.

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  12. Well at least you are being smart and returning the ones that don't work instead of settling for something just because you've been looking so long. There's always next year, I would keep searching!

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  13. It's so hard to find a specific piece you have in mind sometimes which is frustrating. I love these black booties with the glitter heel!

    xo,
    Angela

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  14. I am the last person who can give good advice on purchasing boots.
    I just have two pairs for when I travel (they've both fallen apart: the brown ones walking the streets of NYC and the lack pair walking the Marie Antoinette gardens in Versailles) They were both so comfortable I took them to the cobbler and they're still in the closet.

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  15. The perfect black bootie is an extremely elusive creature. While I love this pair on you, I can see so many ways in which they are totally impractical for winter wear. In fact, I tried on an almost identical pair, minus the glitter, from Sam Edelman and rejected them for exactly that reason. If I'm going to buy something that is almost a flat, it has to be practical - which means warm and tall enough that I can wear socks with it. I've had some great disappointments with boots myself this season, particularly a pair of Nine West, but I will say that I found two great pairs at Le Chateau of all places. Not sure if they have any US locations but if so, they are definitely worth a look. Otherwise, there's always next year.
    xox,
    Cee
    PS: I want to steal that bag from you!

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  16. I've been looking for light taupe, low heel bootie forever - similar to the pair you bought from Marshalls that you had on Instagram. Every pair I find has a heel and come up too far on the ankle. It is annoying how all of the winter mechandise is on clearance and all of the "resort" wear is out.

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  17. I have a perfect pair that I love but next year I want the plain petty by Sam Edelman. My Vince Camuto pair has big buckles on it. Love this look, it's classic and chic.

    xo
    PinkSole

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  18. I searched high and low for booties last winter and finally found a pair I liked. I still like them, but now I am finding some other options I like too! I think the solution is at least a couple pairs! ;) Love your coat!

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  19. I hate it when you are looking for a specific item and can't find it. You will probably find a pair when you are least expecting it. I saw a cute pair by Sam Edelman at the beginning of winter so I don't know if they are still in stock anywhere. Your coat here is so cute! Stay warm in this crazy weather!

    Nicole
    Nicole to the Nines

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  20. I think those are cute! I love the little bit of sparkle. That always happens to me - when i am looking for something, I can't seem to find it!

    Nikki
    thefashionablewife.com

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  21. Your iPhone case is adorable! Your booties are certainly cute but I know what it's like to keep searching for the perfect item. It's out there!

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  22. Well I do really like those glittery booties, but I totally understand how frustrating it is when you're looking for something specific and not having any luck. It seems like that's when you can never find it either--when you're looking for a specific thing.

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  23. I went through a similar existential boot crisis right before the holidays and man was it hard to find a good pair of booties! Love the ones you settled on!

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  24. nice shades!

    https://hellofrommexico.blogspot.com

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  25. I always have a tough time finding boots too but usually taller boots since my calves are so large. Have you looked Piperlime, I read that they are closing shop soon so I am sure they are trying to clear out their inventory.

    Good luck fining your boots.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  26. I love this outfit! The coat looks amazing and I love how you paired everything so well. Oh, and the DW watch is absolute perfection.

    TRENDGALORE
    BLOGLOVIN

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  27. I tried to find the perfect black bootie once. Haha. I was discouraged after just one pair and gave up. It think it's harder to find the right staple item than it is to find the fun, whimsical ones. Personally, I'd give it one last hurrah (so many sales!) and then wait until next year. Styles always change just a little bit and right one might just be a few months away.

    http://bedknobsandbaubles.com/

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  28. I know what you mean- you have an idea/set of criteria a piece needs to meet, and when it doesn't (over and over again!), it gets really frustrating. However, I think you styled these glitter booties perfectly! The coat is so gorgeous. :)

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  29. Obsessed with this look! That coat is fabulous and I need that bag! So cute!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  30. That is such a shame you can't find a good bootie but at the same time, I totally know what you mean. I have a really hard time with booties with low heels and I simply will not settle for a pair that is "okay" but not what I love.

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  31. It's so hard to find the perfect boot! I love your glitter booties and houndstooth coat! Such a fabulous look!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  32. It's super tough to find the right boots! Those scalloped booties were really cute...too bad they didn't work out! Have you tried the Madewell booties? They always seem to have classic black ones. I love your houndstooth jacket!
    ~Jessica
    Jeans and a Teacup

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  33. Cute booties, i am in love with the coat. Beautiful
    http://stylediarybyosy.blogspot.com/

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