Thrifting Queen

Booties Replacement Needed

October 7, 2014

Well as much as I love the look of my Ara black patent booties that I bought in September 2013, I can't continue to wear them. Even with my orthotics, the last two times I've worn them, my arches have just ached for hours afterwards. They no longer work for my feet :(

I have black knee high Blondo boots and my Doc Marten mid calf lace up boots but I now have an ankle bootie hole to fill. I will want something that works the same way the Ara booties did - with trousers, skirts and dresses alike. Although I liked the detail of the V cut out in the front of the Ara booties, I am not wanting that detail again. I found that when worn with trousers, when I would stand up from a sitting position, very often my pant hem would catch in the V and I would have to fix that before walking on. In the end, I found this annoying.

Below are some options I'm considering - they are available locally. The cost of shipping footwear makes it unreasonable for am looking for what I can find here. These brands work for my feet and have two inch or lower heels.

Do any of these look worthy of trying on? Any call out to you or any not working for you?

#1 - Clark Artisan bootie
#2 - Clark Malia bootie
#3 - Ecco bootie
#4 -  Franco Sarto Chelsea bootie

1
2
3
4
Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

26 Comments

  • Alexandra replied 9 years ago

    I like the two Clarks booties, especially #2 because of the rich-looking color.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    I like them all - I'd really go for whichever is the MOST comfy for your foot.

    PS too bad your Aras are no longer working :(

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Love the last two, they look the most current(if possible) but don't know anything about them, so that's my 2 cents given only for their aestethics.

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Exactly what Jackie said. 

    PS.  Too bad you don't want that V detail, because the Monroe Robyn's are awesome :)

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    I like #2 and #3.  

  • amiable replied 9 years ago

    3 and 4 are my favorites, but I think any of them will be terrific - comfort is the bigger point.

  • Kimberley replied 9 years ago

    #4 all the way.  #3 if it's comfier.

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    I love #4, but I wonder if #3 might be better for you, comfort-wise. I think that comfort is the overriding concern for the sake of your feet. I say don't be afraid to try a few of them before deciding. They're all nice.

  • Glory replied 9 years ago

    There are all great. The first Clark has the brown/natural heel which may make your outfit feel more casual. I love 2 but personally find black suede so hard to keep clean. Probably just me, but I am struggling with my black booties because they are that fabrication. However I think they would work for you because you have a more sophisticated requirement. The last 2 are also great. Is it possible to try all 4 and go with the most comfortable?

  • Beewee replied 9 years ago

    I have last years version of #4.  they are one of the most comfortable shoes I own.  They are a half size larger than what I normally wear.

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    Three and 4 are very nice.

  • Neelie replied 9 years ago

    My fave is #4 - very versatile!  I like #1 too but you might have a similar problem with your pants catching on those straps.

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 9 years ago

    I like both 3 and 4. I have had good luck with Ecco booties in the past (last year I sadly threw away a pair I'd had for about 7 years because I wore through the sole.)

  • Elle replied 9 years ago

    I like the simplicity of #3 (followed closely by #4) - seems more elegant. BUT comfort is key and all of the booties shown would work well

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    My preference wou;ld be #3 and 4 as they are more refined than Clarks. Are you into refined or more casual booties -that would be a deciding factor (and comfort as well).

    I hope you find a perfect pair.

  • bj1111 replied 9 years ago

    love #3 and #4, more sophisticated and provides structure against much of your ef drapey stuff.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Most definitely 3/4 - with 4 being my pick for you.  Could see you in this Chelsea style with almost everything you own.  I had my Chelsea boots on this morning in fact, with leather skinnies, but also wear them with a shorter pleated skirt and tights.   Mine don't accommodate my orthotics though.

  • Suja replied 9 years ago

    I like 3 and 4.  3 looks a little edgy/trendy/moto-inspired which might mean that it dates faster if it isn't part of your "core" style. Number 4 seems more classic but on-trend with the pointy toe (which I love, trendy or not). 

    Just my $02!

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    I like 3 best, followed by 4, but it may be my bias that I do not find Clark's comfortable. I suspect they are for people whose feet are on the slimmer side of average. Comfort trumps everything else though.

  • Traci replied 9 years ago

    I've been covering those Eccos for several months now!

  • Nebraskim replied 9 years ago

    Is it the heels that aggravate your PF? Or are platter shoes better? that would dtive my choice. When mine was especially flaring, I often found that just the act of trying on some particular shoes whould cause my arches to scream within seconds. I might suggest you find a particular brand and last (the patterns a shoemaker uses) that agree with you and then stick with that brand. I, for instance, cannot wear Merrills or Tevas at all, and Clarks are OK as long as the sole is quite stiff...it's the flexible soles that cause me problems but your mileage may vary. I also swear by acupuncture for PF. I havehad it off and on since about 1990 with treatment by podiatrists and physical therapists offering some temporary relief of acute pain, but it was always in the background. But three acupuncture treatments in summer 2013 have meant I've been pain free for over a year.

  • rabbit replied 9 years ago

    My picks for most versatile/refined looking to my eye are #3 and #4 with a slight preference for 4 because of the shape of the heel.     I've found when I try on boots with any front strapping detail cutting horizontally across the ankle like 1 or 2 that it makes the shoe less versatile, and breaks up the leg line in a way that I'm not as into.  

  • replied 9 years ago

    #3 gets my vote for the lovely slanted side zip detail.

  • Sal replied 9 years ago

    I like 4 from an aesthetics perspective but it looks less comfortable to my eye (unpracticed).  I think you will know when you try them on.  I like to try footwear on in store too, subtle things can make such a difference.

  • DonnaF replied 9 years ago

    I like #3 and #4 for you because they look the sleekest.  I am concerned, however, about the heel height on #4 as well as #1 because they look a little high so might cause you problems.  FWIW, I've found that it isn't always about heel height as quoted by sellers/mfrs or even measured by myself; it's also about arch placement, support, and other invisible things.  The other day, I went and measured some of my comfortable footwear and was absolutely shocked that some higher footwear worked better than much lower ones.  That being said, I'm not sure that I want to bother kissing all those higher frogs to find my prince.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Well it sounds like #3 and #4 are the front runners with the Fabbers so those are the two I'll check out in person and try on.

    Nebraskim - various things aggravate my PF (and my bad knee too). Too high of heels and it throws my knee out of whack and can also bother the arch in my foot based on the angle and pitch of the heel - it isn't the height in and of itself so much as the angle of my foot IYKWIM. I can't wear complete flats either. The PF has actually gotten significantly better since I purged most of my high heels and uncomfortable footwear. I do find for my feet, some Clarks, Naot and Doc Martens work best.

    Thanks for the feedback ladies and hopefully I'll be back in a few days with an update and seeking advice through a K/R.

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.