Food for the Sole

It's amazing what you can blame on the lack of light, for example, my newest purchase:

Liuba Boot by Lamica (never heard of this brand but I think it's German, though the boots are made in Italy). There's not much about the company online. I got mine at Browns

In truth, I have been wanting to get a new pair of boots - not "winter-weight", but chic and leather - for as long as I can remember. For years I've rotated through pairs of the ubiquitous Franco Sarto Scala stretch boot. Those don't last more than 2 years but they're compatible with just about any outfit and, cuz they're not leather (though designed to look like it), they're durable in most weather (though not snow). Note: The Scalas are not as shiny as that link photo would have you believe, but definitely get them in brown rather than black (to minimize the fakeness).

Here's the thing. Fake leather is not my bag, but I have exceedingly narrow calves. Lots of peeps will tell you about the misery of not being able to buy boots because their calves are so prominent or thick but it's just as hard (in terms of shopping for knee-high boots that look good) for the skinny-calved among us. Look, I'm not saying that slender calves are harder in general, just in terms of finding well-fitted knee boots. And every pair I've ever found that's fit (and that's about 5 over the last 10 years, not that I bother much) has cost a living fortune.

Because the Sartos work so adequately (though I'm paying $200 bucks for fake leather aka practically plastic), I've been lulled into a state of inertia.  They really do fit my calf perfectly and they fall nicely. However, the Scala really doesn't jibe with my "buy quality" philosophy. Don't misunderstand, the boot is fine (till the surface eventually scratches off on the inner ankle and you can actually see fabric underneath???), fine enough that I've owned many pairs.

A knee boot with beautiful slouch is a non-negotiable staple, from my perspective. It reminds me of the terrific offerings of the late 60s and 70s. My mother had a pair and I thought they were so elegant. A slouchy knee-boot goes perfectly with short skirts, long skirts, jeans (wide or narrow), pants of all stripes. I mean, in a zillion years I wouldn't wear fake fur. So why I'm wearing plastic at the age of 42 is beyond me.

Today I went to Browns, which is having a fairly good sale (esp. for pre-Xmas), to rectify the situation. I knew I wouldn't get off cheap, but I hoped I'd at least find something that would fit for less than the usual $600. (Sidebar: Why there's a proportional relationship between narrow boot shafts and expense is beyond me. I mean, shouldn't the wider shafts, which require more leather, be the ones to cost more??)

The Liuma called to me. The colour is fantastic. It's the shade of brandy, seriously, and the photos above don't do it justice. Furthermore, while they could be narrower (the very widest part of my calf has a circumference of 13.5"), there's no visible gap between my leg and the boot. (Can't tell you what a hideous look that is, IMO.) And the leather is a supple, Italian calfskin that, I sense, will crease and wear beautifully. Sure, this purchase wasn't cheap (after tax they came to $340 on sale), but I wear the Sartos, on average, 4 days a week for 8 months of the year and every time I put them on I regret that I'm wearing plastic.

What you can't see in the photos, and the ones I found online don't really show this off to good effect, is that there's a cognac leather insert that runs up the back on either side of the seam (above the ankle), that both defines the shape of the ankle and provides a rich design element.

So, today's questions are these: Do you like my new boots?? (Leading question, I realize...) Do you struggle with this shape of boot either because your calves are thinner or thicker than average? Have you heard of this brand and can you enlighten me about its origins? Have you worn the Sartos and, if yes, what are your thoughts about them? Let's talk...