[fashion, reviews] The runner-up to The Perfect Boots

[cupcake_goth]

(As an aside, I've been having a fabulous conversation in some other people's journals about the goth subculture and what similarities and differences it has with the metal subculture, along with tangents about gender roles, how social circles select and enforce their boundaries, and subcultural markers that are all but invisible to the "untrained" eye. Great stuff. I just don't have time to do a lengthy post about it in my own LJ. But! I highly recommend Goth: Undead Subculture, edited by Lauren Goodlad for a good scholarly look at the subculture I call home.)

Anyway, boots!



(Clicky-links abound in the review below. You Have Been Warned.)

Now, you all know that The Very Best Boots come from My Vintage Sole, right? Custom fitted, you get to pick the heel style, totally worth the $200+ you will spend. Not to mention the nice lady who runs the place is working on honest-to-goodness button boots. (Dear Sandy Claws, I have been SO good this year!)

But, what if you want new gothy-Victorian boots, and your budget won't stretch quite that high? Or if you don't want to wait the 4-6 weeks? Why, then you look at the boots from Oak Tree Farms. I purchased a pair of the "Steeple" style from an eBay store called Old Mill Mercantile (for about $10 less than Amazon sells them, hurrah!), and am thrilled to bits with them. They are the boots I always search thrift stores for, but they're brand new. They're all-leather construction, they lace up (with speed hooks on the top half of the boot), and most importantly, they have a very sensible, comfortable 1.5" walking heel. They don't look clunky or like they're a costume piece; they're classic Victorian/gothy/witchy boots.

I ordered them from Old Mill Mercantile on Saturday night and they arrived in the mail yesterday. I'm wearing them right now, and other than idly trying to decide what sort of ribbon I want to swap the bootlaces for, I think they're perfect.

The downside: they only go up to a size 10, and have no wide sizes. And while they're not $200+, they are $104.99 on Amazon or BootBarn. But they are worth every penny, and with proper care they'll last forever. Not to mention I know exactly how difficult it is to find boots like this in even decent condition at the thrift stores or on eBay, and I decided I'd rather pay the money and get the boots I wanted instead of spending months (well, years) searching for a vintage pair that were kinda-sorta-maybe the right type.

So to sum up: boots! Yay boots!

Comments

[minim_calibre]

OMM only has them down to a 6.5, too. Though OTF lists the range as 6-11 (no 10.5).

You're having the same conversation that Fandom is having! Just with different players! This amuses the Min!

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

This is going to lead to us crossing the streams with our fandoms again, isn't it? I should probably warn Jay that she needs to become familiar with SPN so she'll be able to follow both sides of the conversation while we're waiting at the concert.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

Oh. Dear. This is very troubling to me. I'm on the hunt for gothy-Victorian boots right now and um. Shoot.

You've already forced me into getting an adorable mini hat from Mme Modiste, now the boots. Whatever am I to do? Where are my smelling salts and my swooning couch?

[domestinatrix.livejournal.com]

Wow, Lauren finally published her book! She was working on it back when we were roommates in the mid-1990's. It's nice to hear that it came out well.

I need to figure out what to do with my Edwardian ankle boots from My Vintage Sole. They really do fit more snuggly than her perfect Victorian boots do. I'm trying to convince myself to try to break them in to wear just with tights instead of my usual wool socks, but i just can't bring myself to try to squeeze my crazy wide feet into them again.

[semy-of-pearls.livejournal.com]

I have a pair of Amazon button boots, and I lurve them to death. Unfortunately, the buttons come off quite easily, and I have yet had the opportunity to order replacement buttons (for shame!)

Still looking for a pair of knee-high victorian boots that will fit over my calves (many years of dancing and walking.)

[bork.livejournal.com]

Oooo.

Please point me to these diecussions, as I'm apparently (and happily) returning to my squealing guitar loving roots. I want to read of the metalheads, I do.

Speaking of metal and weird stuff I like, Vintersorg is coming out with a new album this month. Vintersorg is all kinds of fun. Lately, he's been unduly concerned with alien invasion, and has been singing about it - in Swedish. It's awesome.

[emeraldpunk.livejournal.com]

Vintersong? Where? *swivels head,hair flying*

Hi, I'm the metalhead chick studying goth and comparing like a crazy person with tourettes in a moshpit. Should I friend you? Your welcome as far as I'm concerned, but keep in mind, I'm one of those old school headbangers who also loves some new stuff, which means I come complete with lots of that "Fuck you" arrogance.

[bork.livejournal.com]

Sure! You may certainly friend me; I'll friend you in return.

And arrogance is OK. I'm getting back into this, and I have lots of bizarre musical tastes to boot. So it's all good.

[emeraldpunk.livejournal.com]

Okay, you're added. The goth stuff basically starts with the one titled " Off to goth school!" feel fre to comment anywhere :)

[seven-veils.livejournal.com]

Oh! Sounds like a conversation right up my alley. There are more similarities between the two subcultures than most goths are willing to admit, especially if you include the rivethead industrial folks in the gothy mix. I've always said that most goth girls LOVE 80's metal (aka hair bands) but they just won't admit it. My favorite is LA Guns. God! I love those guys! There are other metal / punk/ batcave / death rock bands that I love and have loved over the years so if you'd like to friend me so I can join in on what is obviously a very enjoyable and interesting thread I would love it.

[ashbet]

*raises hand* Goth girl and unashamed metalhead here . . . and my partner in crime, angldst, is the same way . . . hehe, I think we were the only two people really dressed UP for the Poison show this past summer, random people in jeans and ratty tank tops kept taking pictures of us!

-- A (who has more metal/rivet stuff than Gawthity-goth on my music playlist, come to think of it!)

[water-of-fire.livejournal.com]

Bootses! Oh that's wonderful, because I'm trying to not buy a pair of $400 Fluevogs.

[weaselmom.livejournal.com]

Okay, would it *kill* shoe and boot companies to make them in 10.5? Why are we always the outcasts? It's a legitimate size. I'm looking down at my foot, and it's right there! Would they say, "Hey, you 9.5 people, SCREW you, wear a 9 or a 10 and suck it up!"? Then why punish us?

But I'm still happy for you and your cute, tiny boots. Really I am.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

Oooo, I've been dying for s'one I know to give a review of those boots, so thank you! Well, my pocketbook doesn't thank you, but my feet do ;-)

*drool*

[webcowgirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, shoes! Thanks for the links!

What do you think of the ones on Fluevog?

Re: *drool*

[water-of-fire.livejournal.com]

If you're asking for a take on Fluevog shoes, they're gorgeous, well-constructed, generally pretty comfortable, and agonizingly expensive. And worth it. But agonizingly expensive. Rinse, repeat.

Re: *drool*

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

I have a love/hate relationship with Fluevog boots. I love some of the designs, but the heels are almost ALWAYS too high for me. The current Rococco line from them, with the gorgeous witchy boots? 3+ inch heels. No matter how wide or stable that heel is, it's waaaaaaay too tall for me to be comfortable in.

Re: *drool*

[water-of-fire.livejournal.com]

They're drop-dead but I'm just not paying $400 for them.

Re: *drool*

[webcowgirl.livejournal.com]

My worry is that they would be too narrow. I like the Katrin (http://www.fluevog.com/code/?w=sale&pp=1&view=detail&p=9&colourID=1566) quite a bit, but the "black" version of it is actually, er, green by my eyes, so though I was going to indulge I decided against it.

You've ruined me with those retro shoes, now. How will I ever be satisfied until I get a pair?

Re: *drool*

[brumbjorn.livejournal.com]

First off, CURSE YOU for the links. <-- said in most loving tone.

Secondly, I'm not a hight heel person my self (2 inches is the absolute MAX for me) but the Rococco heel is Not That Bad. I work high end retail (were are talking a VERY strict dress code - my fluevogs are the only place they let me cut loose) and am on my feet CONSTANTLY. No teetering, very comfy (once broken in) and I can RUN in them if need be.

I love that I get asked constantly where I got my shoes, to the point I carry Fluevog business cards since I got so sick of writing things down for people. I DETEST paying full price for 'vogs (I get the off of ebay when I can) but I shelled out for the Rococcos since I KNOW I will never see them on there.

Scary confession: I'm selling off a bunch of BPAL to fund the boots. Using one obsession to pay for another, eh?

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

I need new boots. May I try yours on to see how they feel on my feet sometime soonish?

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Of course!

I just got back from my afternoon walk, and am happy to report that the new boots are VERY COMFY indeed.

Boooooooottttzzzzz!!!! *Drool*

[seven-veils.livejournal.com]

Why aren't you just the most mischievous enabler? You evil woman you. *wink* Like I need any more shoes than I already have. I culled my mountain of black shoes for the gothy shoe retirement home, but unfortunately even getting rid of a big bag of shoes still leaves me with a pretty impressive mass of black leathery goodness. Of course, then you have to go and post these links then wouldn't you? Hee Hee!

I have to say that I love all the boots I bought from you in the past and I fantasize about you tiring of these visions of beauty but I suspect I would be waiting a VERY long time to see these little gems included in any sale you hold. After Convergence, Momma's gettin' new boots!! Woo Hoo!!

[icarusfell.livejournal.com]

Run across any Vic shoes/boots for the fellas? I think I've discovered every site that you have listed. So far, one pair of plasticy looking Vic boots for the fellas, which aren't up to par.

[shoindiematrix.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! Loads of fun! I love the scholarly side of goth, and would love to see a discussion of that sometime. *giggles* I bet your discussion with your friend was amazing to see. These sort of things are the very reason why I want to do an couple of independent studies at school on the subculture's history, its connections to other subcultures, and how it affects its participants and onlookers.

[theda-bara.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for posting these!
*Runs off to go boot shopping, much to the horror of her hubby*