Ecco’s Brussels Boots: Nay

What’s inside the Zappos box sitting at the top of the stairs for me to take to UPS tomorrow? Those pretty Ecco Brussels boots in Ascot Patent (see 11/13/08 post). It was a fun fling for a few days but then they let me down.

Here’s my scorecard:

•LOVED the gently pointed toe and narrow foot. They really fit my feet perfectly.
•LOVED the mottled gray color, and would have kept them even though I originally wanted a brown boot.
•LOVED the shiny, crinkly patent leather. It is very unusual.
•HATED the wide calf. This boot taught me about calf circumference (mine is 12.5”!!!). In the Zappos picture, the boot's calf looked pretty narrow, but was 15.5,” putting it on the larger side. Most boots seem to be 14" or 16." I took a (crappy!) picture of the gap between my calf and the boot. Maybe if I’d been planning on wearing them with pants stuffed in them. But I don’t have skinny jeans and was hoping to wear them under boot-cut pants or even skirts. As a backup, a British website (duoboots.com) offers 21 calf sizes, both thin and wide.

•HATED the heel. I don’t like clackers (from Devil Wears Prada). I go for rubber so I can sneak up on people – kidding! I like shoes that allow my foot to feel connected to the ground. These boots are hard rubber on the heel and softer rubber on the outsole. The Zappos description? Cemented, single-density latex outsole ...

My search for brown, thin-calved, rubber-soled boots continues!

Marc Jacobs Lucite Heels: Yea From Afar

I landed at the Couture section of Zappos, which I confess I didn’t even know existed, and found myself staring at these Marc by Marc Jacobs ankle boots in a beautiful brown leather called “Luggage Kid.” Actually I was staring at their cheerful blocky pink acrylic heels.

Yes they are three and a half inches and no I would never wear them but yes I do have a serious shoe crush, or should I say boot crush. I am going to frame them to hang in my little museum of favorite shoes of all time. And for those women who would wear them, they are 19% off, down to $524.95 (from $654), but only sizes 37.5 and 40 are left.

Here are a few more Marc Jacobs lucite heels.



•The Leather Sling-back Bootie with seam detail at vamp and buckle closure at ankle strap and a four inch amber lucite heel. Color is Bordeaux. Price is $292.50 (down from $585).

•The Knee Boot with Amber Lucite Heel in “Bordeaux Kid” with a 15" shaft and “transparent resin” heel, or the same in “Black Kid” with clear heel. Zappos says these heels are 2", but Shopbop.com says they are 4". (Zappos, if you need a shoe factchecker, call me.)

•The very cool Cashmere Lucite Pump. In Black. Patent leather peep-toes with lucite heel. $780.00 at shoezoeonline.com. The most classic and the most conceptual of all the above. Could pass for standard black peep toe pumps, until you look closely at the heel and see a black stiletto heel inside. Like it’s been preserved in amber!

Ecco’s Brussels Boots: Yea or Nay?

Next post, I’ll let you know my verdict, but this is about my crush on Ecco’s Brussels boots for $220. (Patent leather upper with convenient side zip entry for easy on/off. Textile lining absorbs moisture and provides excellent cushioning for all-day comfort. Cemented, single-density latex outsole absorbs shock and ensures flexibility and long-lasting wear. 1 1/4" heel. 15 1/2" shaft. 15" circumference.)

Infatuation occurs before I’ve tried them on and lasts until the return policy makes me decide whether to keep them. After a period of consumer restraint and work-induced stress, I walked into Ecco's Newbury Street store ready to buy. I was told they’d sold out, to the surprise of their buyer, but of course not to me. The boots were a beautiful mottled gray named “Ascot.” I had no idea why you would name a color after an English racecourse or a man’s silk neck scarf until Wikipedia explained that ascots were traditionally made of gray patterned silk. Never mind that I needed brown boots. If Tim Gunn were by my side, would he remind me that brown is a better shoe closet staple than gray? Is that even true? Oh well. Below are two designer boots with similarly compelling (but more ombre) shades.

•Prada’s Degrade Riding Boot in smoke degradé (smoke gradation or shaded tones) for $1,250. (Think dégradé is supposed to have another acute accent.) Full exposed side zip. 1” stacked heel. Made in Italy.

•Aquatalia by Marvin K’s Rain Boots in Wasabi Rose for $285. Slick patent leather with shading. Wedge heel, 1", weatherproof, hidden inner zip, leather lining, padded insole, rubber sole. Made in Italy.