Do I bite the bullet and buy these boots?

[Hop27]

www.rmwilliams.com.au/maya-boot-ebony-pull-up-leather.html?lang=en_AU

For a few years I've wanted these boots, but I've never justified the cost! Do I bit the bullet and buy them or find an alternative?

I like the Millicent ones you linked - I think they are classics.
Those Gabor boots are awful and not even ankle boots, which the OP wants.

I think they are gorgeous.
I'm a great believer in buying the thing you really want and not trying to find cheaper alternatives - they won't be as perfect as the ones you truly desire and in the end you'll spend the same money trying 2 or 3 alternatives (which won't be quite right) when you should have just bought the gorgeous ones in the first place!

Personally, I think they are not dated and you will wear them forever. How you style them may change with fashion but to me they are a classic staple item.

@ShinyShinyShinyBootsOfLeather

Thanks for the reality check! I'm going to get them this week. I'm really curious about the variance in style between here and home, I really enjoy the commentary on the S&B board. I'm in my 40's and truly I find the uk style so, I don't even know how to articulate it - safe maybe? Almost frumpy.
I'm not fashionable in the slightest, but most stuff on the S&B seems so mumsy.
Puts on hard hat immediately.

🤣🤣🤣🤣 ruuuuuuuuun op!

Can't get over how no one has commented on the second pair of boots being kangaroo leather! I didn't even realise that was a thing...

I was just going to say yes but after looking at the boots, they look too much like cowboy boots with the pointy toes. It isn't a classic timeless go with anything look. Previous posters are correct: this is an in-and-out of fashion look that has just gone out of fashion.

The second ones are stunning.

Last year I bought a nearly $300 pair of boots and they are trashed

I'm shocked that a pair of boots costing £159.00 were trashed after only a year, especially given that you live in warmer climes and wouldn't have worn them as much as I would have done. My £25.00 leather Sainsbury's boots have been going for about 7 years.

Honestly, Australian and UK style and brands aren't the same so if you asked on an Aussie forum instead of on Mumsnet you'd probably get completely different answers 🤷‍♀️

OP - the S&B board on MN is in no way indicative of the fashion sense of the whole of the UK, don't be silly. It's an online forum for parents in the main.

When I visited Oz I found fashion to be generally 10-20 years out of date and the shops were terrible - but that could've just been the parts I visited and internet shopping wasn't such a thing then so I'm sure it's improved!

Buy the boots - they'll fit in much better in Oz anyway I'm sure.

@RampantIvy

I bought the equivalent to these last year and they look scruffy.

m.witchery.com.au/snaffle-leather-75mm-heeled-boot-60282830-1

@Iltakethat

Funny, I've been away since my late 20's and honestly for the last 5-10 years haven't bought a single thing from home as I found it so dated! Weird how perception does that.

This is descending into a mini master class in passive aggression 😂🍿.

Nowhere is significantly more up-to-date than the other. I'm sure there are minor differences but nothing major. I follow fashion bloggers from Australia and NZ and I'm sure people from Oz and NZ follow UK fashionistas. And anyway, op wanted classic, doesn't date and non-trendy. Something which would transcend fashion and blink and you miss them trends. So it shouldn't matter if the style where she lives is behind (which I'm sure it isn't anyway)

I do think a UK site probably isn't going to be that relevant to you though if you really think the UK is terribly frumpy, but I don't know if there is an Australian equivalent? There is an Aus and NZ board on MN now actually so maybe you could post the boots there and see if they're liked more universally there. Lots of people on this thread liked them too, so not sure what that says about the boots or MNetters

I haven't rtft, and I'm not commenting on style/fashion etc. All I would add is, that I bought a pair of boots for £400 in 2014 (by Acne), and I still love them and cost per wear must be negative by now. They are dated, and they look slightly old, but every time I have worn them I absolutely love them. It was the most expensive thing I had ever bought, and I have not regretted.

I think if you love them and you’re looking at them as something that will last a life time get them. They’re very classic and shouldn’t go out of style. I bought a pair from APC for a similar price and I love them and they feel amazing and so well made.

I bought a pair in a similar style to those (but not leather soles, which I don’t like) a few years ago. Yes, they are a cheap pair, compared to the ones you want. They were from Clarks and were under £50, but incredibly comfortable and have lasted really well. Just don’t see the justification in spending nearly £350 on those!

This picture made me laugh, looks like something Dorothy would wear in Kansas when she is older.

Joseph Cheaney boots

Lanx Boots

I have these, also similar flat lace ups in tan leather and Harris Tweed and navy leather and Harris Tweed, and 3 pairs of over knee boots (green suede, black suede and black leather) all flat.

I'm not keen on boots with heels. I suppose because if weather and ground conditions need boots adding heels is odd.

I like them. They are similar ish to Acne Pistols. However saying that I haven't worn them for a few years and are awaiting a comeback.

Fwiw most MNers will hate them because they cost more than £25 and are not from Tui.

Don’t think Tui do clothes 🤣

Well according to 3 sources who probably have their fingers on the pulse more accurately than MN they were in fashion in the second half of 2022.

I don't think it's relevant here. That style of boot is always around - occasionally it will be deemed to be "in" , which may or not be pleasing to its permanent fans but who won't care less when its moment in limelight passes.

I didn't know what Acne Pistol boots were so googled them

Found these blogs from 2013 and 2015.

The Styling Dutchman looks very stylish to me the other one doesn't. I don't think it's because the "Dutchman" is the younger of the 2.

https://stylingdutchman.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-in-perfect-pistol-boots.html?m=1

https://stylingdutchman.blogspot.com/2013/11/superbe-beanie-geometric-tights.html?m=1stylingdutchman.blogspot.com/2013/11/superbe-beanie-geometric-tights.html?m=1

https://www.styleguileblog.com/2015/03/re-visiting-acne-pistol-boot-definite.html

I tried a pair of Pistols on in around 2013. They were like little torture chambers.

You see, I think the Acne Pistols were the originator of the phrase 'Mum Boot', it's the almond shaped toe and not-quite Cuban heel, and a certain roundness to the shape that calls to mind an M&S foot-glove style boot. So when everyone was going mad for them and people were desperately searching for dupes, they'd gravitate to the 'almost, but not quite', and everyone would declaim it as a 'Mum-boot'.

The phrase has now been bastardised and is trotted out everyone posts a pair of black ankle boots.

The current iteration is more angular and much more like the original Western boot (which has always been a staple for Isabel Marant, and YSL always have a version knocking about, because it's always had a hint of rock and roll).

FWIW @Hop27, I like the Millicents that you posted. I've got a pair of Aeyde Kates that are very similar, they get tons of wear (I posted them on a recent thread and they got a lot of hate!).

Additionally, I'd always get the ones you love, especially if they've been on your mind for a while. Cheaper ones will always feel a bit meh, get the the ones you want, enjoy them!

I think they look great. Buy them.