Mamas! I had the pleasure of working with this hot Mama a couple of months ago:
Jenna had emailed me because she bought a pair of ankle boots but they...just...weren't...working. She sent pics, saying:
I bought these coach priscilla booties at a great sale at bloomingdales but every time I try them on with skinny jeans, leggings or tights they look weird. My friend said it's b/c my ankle looks skinny and that makes my feet look big :( Should I return them? Please help!
Hunh. Up close, they are cute boots. And Coach typically is right on-trend. But...Jenna's right. Something is off. Here was my response:
Jenna, I'm thinking...these may not be your boots. The pic with the rolled black jeans - it looks great. But the others....something is off. I think part of the issue may be the shiny-ness of the boot and the tassel. Us....ahem...petite gals gotta be careful with booties...and in this case, it just might be too much?
A few things to try:
1. The outfit with the striped sweater: Try rolling the jeans. Try both the small cuff (like you did with your black jeans) and a large cuff (turned up only once or twice).
2. Booties with tights should look good. Period. If you are struggling with booties and tights, that's not a good sign. Try black tights to lengthen your leg line...and try taping your skirt up an inch or two (duct tape works really well, LOL). Something is off on the proportion....we need to fix it. You have such rockin' legs that a couple extra inches showing will only be a good thing.
The best I can tell....the second pair of booties have the following going for them:
1. They have more shape. The top has a nice, sexy curve over the foot and the heel is narrower, giving these boots more shape overall. Coach's boots go straight down to the top of the foot, and the heel is clunky. This makes the boot look awkward, despite the cool tassel.
2. They aren't so shiny. Unless it's date night, I find high-shine booties tough to wear when you are short.
3. They are wider at the top, but shorter overall. The lower profile is better for Mamas with muscular calves, and the fact that the opening is wider allows Jenna to tuck in her jeans with minimal bunching.
In hindsight, the tassel didn't matter a bit. (Jenna, your new ankle boots would also look adorable with rolled skinnies.)
It seems like ankle boots should be easier than this, right?? I don't get it...but finding a pair that fits well with your body type, your style, and your existing wardrobe is really hard. Despite all of my best efforts, my mom still hasn't found a pair, and it took me over a year to really get into this trend. Any other Mamas still struggling with the ankle boot thing?
xo,
S
ps. Jenna, thanks for the pics and for being such a great sport!!! (Her awesome bird shirt was a total Anthropologie sale rack score, BTW.)
