Eclectic Joy

37 Comments

• Aida replied 9 years ago

  Joy I like the fit of the skirt; I got the houndstooth version and also went with the S versus the XS which technically fit "better" to negate a bit of the vavoom. On the boots, it's a bit tough for me to tell from the photos just how close to your kneecap they hit but from what I can see they either look perfect or just a touch tall in a way that doesn't bother me but I know bothers some others.

  EDIT: I should also say that unless the boot has elastic or stretch, it will be tough to find a pair that fits fully slim on the calf with skirts/dresses AND also works with pants. Do you want to also wear these with jeans/pants? It's inevitable to have a bit of room if that is the case.

• Suz replied 9 years ago

  Joy, the boots are beautiful. It is really hard to tell from the photo angle about the height, but the calf fit is the best I have seen on you yet. They are truly gorgeous boots! And if they are comfortable, worth their weight, I'd say. 

  I love the skirt on you, too. Wow! 

• jackiec replied 9 years ago

  I'm no expert but I think the boots look great and wowza on the skirt!

• Tanya replied 9 years ago

  Love the skirt, perfect fit! The boot fit on the calf is amazing. As for the height, some might say they are a bit too tall but personally it does not bother me at all.

• unfrumped replied 9 years ago

  The skirt is perfection. Must keep as it appears to work with a lot of your other items.
  The boots fit very close in the calf--look like they're made for you--so it's hard to think there's a better fit there. I'm no expert on boot shaft height. If they don't feel too high or pinch when you move or sit, they seem very good. The longer skirt lengths (which I like very much) of course don't leave much room before boot top. It would just be a different look to have a  short boot or bootie with the skirt. Maybe  try the boots with as many other items as you anticipate wearing with them and see if there's any problem to your "eye".

• gryffin replied 9 years ago

  Joy - I think both pieces are gorgeous on you!!  IMHO, and it may not be mainstream, I prefer a high shaft on boots.  I think it gives a gorgeous leg line and I think these are a fantastic height on you.  But, of course, you must be happy, but my read is fab fit and drop dead elegant!!  I have Angie's pic, Aquatalia undy's from a couple of years ago and they are so comfy and holding up really well!!  I hope you keep them!!  The skirt is very elegant.  Love it!

• DonnaF replied 9 years ago

  Are the boots comfy when you sit down?  Or do they rub in the back?  They look a touch tall, but if they are comfy I wouldn't give it a second thought.  The width looks fine.  Since they hit you so high, you will have a small gap since your legs go in below your knees and the boot is a very straight style -- that looks very good at the ankles BTW.  My vote is to keep.

• Angie replied 9 years ago

  Killer Stunning PERFECT boots. Enough said. xo

• Angie replied 9 years ago

  I have more to say. 

  Normally, that height would be a little too high - but they fit sooooo well and snugly - that they look brilliant at that length, Joy. 

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  Angie, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule this week to take a look at the boots. When one is not that far from 70, these boots will probably be a "lifetime" investment :)
  Donna, I have tried and returned boots that were too tall to sit down in, beautiful Frye boots, so I know what you mean. These are soft enough not to bite into the back of my legs. If they were any stiffer that would be a problem.
  Gryffin, thank you for the assurance on the brand and encouraging comments.
  Unfrumped, you are right. The skirt will work well with my closet. My inspiration for getting the leopard is the outfit worn by Angie's beautiful client Karen. Good idea to try the boots with some winter outfits.
  Tanya and Jackie, thank you for your thoughts. I'm leaning toward keeping.
  Suz, you are right. I've not had this good a fit in the calf before and can't wait to wear the skirt. I think it can span several seasons with the right supporting pieces.
  Aida, thank you for your wise thoughts. I don't plan to wear jeans or anything tucked into these boots, although there is room, for fear of stretching them. Our winters are usually dry or icy,so no need to tuck.

• viva replied 9 years ago

  I love both on you. Glad you are keeping!

• Suz replied 9 years ago

  YAY!!!  :) :) 

  Joy, I am SOOOO tempted to order these for myself. I just bought two pair of tall boots last year. But these look like pure perfection and I know how hard that is to come by. 

  I wonder what the brown is like. Would it work in my wardrobe? Hmmmm. 

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  Suz, I could hear my feet give a happy sigh when I put these on. I could see these being ideal for your winters.

• SarahTheWhite replied 9 years ago

  Wow! I love the boots and the skirt. I just love your style in general! Every time you post something, I admire it!

  Finding boots that fit so well is worth so much! I told my friend Tricia to check these out, as she has the same fit issues with boots. You may also want to check her wardrobe post out, as she showed a new pair of boots that are small enough to fit her calves too! (They are different than yours so I'm not saying they would be better. I just know how hard she has searched for boots small enough in the calf that I finding more than one pair is a miracle!)

• replied 9 years ago

  Hi Joy - Lisa here - new to the YLF community. It feels a little strange commenting on a stranger's pictures, but I have to say how great you look!  The infamous VC tube skirt (one of a few things I have picked up on in the last week or so as "must buys") looks fantastic in that leopard print !  You wear it really well with the denim and the tall boots. Makes me almost look forward to boot season again - almost:)  I have looked at this VC skirt on-line and am amazed at never having noticed it before at retail. Perhaps it's not as available in Canada as it is in the US - but anyways, it seems like a real workhorse and in this print- a fun workhorse!  You have definitely inspired me to try it - and not in the plain boring black I would likely have bought.  Look forward to more of your posts.  :)

• Windchime replied 9 years ago

  WOW, Joy! The boots, the skirt--fantastic!
  Enjoy, and please show them to us again when you wear them for real life.

• Sveta replied 9 years ago

  The boots are beautiful and seem to fit really well. I hope you keep them, Joy.
  I ordered them as well but if they fit your narrow calves they must be too narrow for me then :-(
  The skirt is a lot of fun! I think it fits you well in this size.
  Suz, you need to try these boots in brown - you know you have hard time fitting boots so should not miss a chance - AND THEY ARE WATERPROOF!

• donnat replied 9 years ago

  That skirt looks awsome on you and I think those boots are perfect. You really do look amazing.

• Echo replied 9 years ago

  I am with the majority, and the boots look like they were made for you. I prefer boots as tall as they can be without pinching when one sits, so these look better than anything shorter to my eye. And the skirt is a perfect fit. I am normally not a huge fan of leopard print, but this skirt is truly fab.

• Gracie replied 9 years ago

  Boots and skirt are terrific, glad you're keeping both. So, is the circumference of the shaft really 14"?

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  Sarah, thank you for such encouragement. I will look for Trish's wardrobe. Could you share the link? Did she get the Blondo brand? I think it saw that someone had them but my size was gone.
  Lisa, welcome. I am blushing that I could inspire anyone. The skirt was not at my local store so I ordered it in two sizes. I am picky about animal prints and was really pleased with this one. The tube skirts are so comfortable and can be dressed up or down. I hope that you find one that you love.
  Windchime, you may get tired of seeing me wear these pieces ;)
  Sveta, I think the boots will stretch to fit you. I really hope that they work for you. They seem like they would be comfortable to walk in.
  Donna and Echo, thank you for your comments that are helping me to decide what to do about these pieces. Echo, I know what you mean about leopard print. Luckily I'm probably past the age where anyone would think "cougar" :)

• tricia w. replied 9 years ago

  Love both the leopard skirt and the boots. My calf measures 13", and I've order and returned about 30 pairs of boots to Zappos...I keep waiting for them to cut me off :) I finally had success with the Sam Edelman, Paradox  boot. 
  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DV.....90_TE_dp_2

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  Gracie, that is an excellent question and it sent me to the bedroom to measure. These are a size 8 M. They are 13" rather than 14, but I think they are meant to stretch to fit. No stretching on me though. My calves where the boots end are 12".

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  Tricia, those are beautiful! I have been very happy with all my SE footwear. The Paradox is too tall for my calves. 16" boots hit my kneecaps when I walk and it's painful. Of course there may be exceptions and I need to keep an open mind.

• DonnaF replied 9 years ago

  Joy, it also seems to me that riding style boots like yours are meant to hit higher on the leg than other boots.  That's why one also sees them with a 16" shaft.

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  Must be, Donna. I fact a few years ago when I started looking for riding boots, 16" was the most common height.

• Debbie replied 9 years ago

  Keep, keep keep! The boots look fantastic and the skirt no question on it.

• crutcher replied 9 years ago

  Aquatilia boots are a lifetime purchase for anyone..smile..That said, please do purchase the skirt..It looks wonderful on you and you have other pieces in your collection that will set off the skirt...

• texstyle replied 9 years ago

  The boots and the skirt look fantastic Joy!

• Reneeb replied 9 years ago

  I hope my skirt looks like that on me wow. I love the way you have it styled and the boots are killer.

• shiny replied 9 years ago

  Interesting. I seem to be the only one with reservations about the boots.

  The height doesn't bother me, provided they aren't rubbing annoyingly when you sit or interfere/catch on the seat cushion when driving a car (my ultimate boot litmus test - I have had La Canadienne boots that nearly caused me to get into a car accident!). The calf width is just a tiny bit loose but looks just fine, especially if you plan to tuck jeans into them. The only issue I have is the ankle. The ankle looks too loose to me, but you tell me -- it is possible that it is just the photo and in reality it fits you just right? 

  As for the VC skirt, I just ordered that leopard print one myself, as a duplicate to the retro stripe (SP) one I've been wearing to death this summer. Should arrive today. I ordered the SP and I'm crossing fingers that was the right size.
  Because a few weeks back I ordered the ponte knit version of the VC tube midi, thinking it would be nice/heavier weight for fall. I ordered the SP, and it fit ginormously on me -- totally different fit, major disappointment. I kept looking at the label, it says SP but maybe it is mislabeled? When I hold it up to the retro stripe version, it's bigger all over - wider & longer, everywhere. I was not even sure it was really a petite. 

• Niki Lea replied 9 years ago

  My thoughts are keep the skirt, for sure. It's smashing on you and will probably be very versatile for you heading into fall/winter.

  The boots are also nice and I think they would work especially really well with pants. I can see what you're saying about the small gap...I'm not sure if it's that noticeable. So I would say, if you only plan to wear the boots with skirts, then maybe (only a  teeny tiny, itsy bitsy maybe) they are a bit too wide. But they look GREAT, regardless.

  ETA: I just noticed Angie said the boots are perfect! So, don't listen to anything I said about them! She's right! :)

• AJ replied 9 years ago

  KEEP and KEEP!!

  You look fantastic in both pieces!

  What is the make and model of the sandals you are wearing with the leopard skirt?

• rachylou replied 9 years ago

  Whoa! I'm impressed with the way you styled the skirt. Right on the money.

• Joy replied 9 years ago

  AJ, the sandals I'm wearing are Sam Edelmans, Suttons I think. I've tossed the box but saw them at the Rack last fall and they are my answer to the higher heeled Okalas. I've been very pleased with them.
  Shiny and Niki, I know what you mean about the ankle area and the gap at the top of the boots. A big part of my problem with finding boots that fit well is that, although my calves and ankles are narrow,my feet are rather big in proportion (size 8). My shopping would be so much easier if my feet were size 6! I'll look at them again but I don't think I can do better considering all the boots I've tried. I'm open to suggestions. Shiny, it sounds like these boots should be put to a driving test to see if they are too tall.
  Shiny, I think the leopard version of the VC skirt may run a bit smaller than some of the others. I have a VC black lace tube skirt in an XS that feels bigger than the S leopard.
  Rachylou,I got the styling idea from the way that Angie styled her client Karen, at least the way I remember it.
  Thank you all for your help with this. I depend on you all to keep me focused and real.

• pil replied 9 years ago

  I'm glad it looks like you're leaning toward keeping both. That skirt is exceptional on you (no doubt you'll come up with many beautiful stylings) and I love the boots.

• shiny replied 9 years ago

  Joy, I got the leopard skirt in the mail yesterday. I'd ordered two sizes to compare, XSP and SP. I also ordered the black ruched VC tube skirt in SP. The ruched version is a keeper, fit is perfect. The leopard is going back... 

  The XSP was way too tight. The SP fits well in the width (not too clingy) but fits oddly in the length. It's a *lot* longer than the retro stripe version I already own -- hits at an unflattering length on my calf. I rolled the band up three times to get the length right (debating about just chopping it off to the length I want), and noticed that greatly improved the fit in the hips and rear.... so if I was to alter it, I'd need to take it up at the waistband not the hem. 

  After all that futzing over the fit, I then attempted to style it various ways and it is just not working for me. It looks *amazing* on you. I'm not sure what is "off" about it for me. I think the pattern scale doesn't work for someone only 5'0 tall. Or maybe the color isn't quite right for my skin tone. Not sure.  

  Really love the ruched version and wore it out last night! 

  Long story short, I've now tried 5 different VC midi tube skirts -- four in SP and one in XSP; two patterned, one ruched, and one ponte knit -- and all of them are cut totally differently. If I hold them up together you can plainly see just how different each one is. So word to the wise: you can't assume the VC midi skirts are all cut the same and will fit the same. I find the inconsistency quite frustrating. But I suppose it is a fact of life for modern mass manufacturing.