The Great Boot Search

So here is the story about my boots (see previous post):

I suddenly got this craving to own a pair of western boots that I could wear with skirts.  It was one of those 'it would be a great tragedy to die without a pair of boots' kind of craving, a 'life just won't be the same without boots' kind of craving.  The craving really took me by surprise because I had sworn off anything cowboy related for two reasons--1) I live in Texas and well that is just so cliche and 2) I went through what we in Texas would call a 'grit' phase in high school.  Believe it or not I was a blue-corduroy-jacket wearing member of the FFA (for those of you who don't know that stands for Future Farmers of America.)  If you don't believe me I have a belt buckle to prove it.  One year my chickens one first place in a local show and the prize was I nice, and very large, belt buckle.  So back in those days I wore my fair share of Wranglers and ropers...and once I realized what that phase was all about I decided never again would I wear a pair of boots.  But western boots and ropers aren't quite the same thing.  They're in the same shoe family but they're still different.  It's kind of like sandals and flip-flops...same family but very distinct differences.  Despite my promise to never wear another pair of boots I couldn't get the thought of western boots with skirts out of my mind.  I just had to have a pair. 

The search began with a little on-line perusing of Boot Barn's website with my bestest friend.  We would e-mail links of favorite boots back and forth.  "Oh look at these!"..."I really think you need these!"..."Check this pair out."..."What do you think about these?"..."I really like this pair but they're way out of my price range."  I had a little bit of an idea of what I wanted (something neutral that would go well with a variety of clothing options) and an idea of the price I was willing to pay.  Like I've mentioned before I'm just not a big clothing/shoe fan and I'm rarely willing to invest a lot of money in either one.  I mean I could pay $60 for a pair of Gap jeans or I could have 3 new poetry books...or the new Foo Fighters cd, a book of poetry, and a copy of Pirates of the Caribbean 3.  One can live without Gap jeans but one cannot live without Sharon Olds.  So I knew going into this that I really didn't want to spend much more than $100.  Like I said I just don't often spend much money on clothes or shoes...including boots that I think I just might die without.

I had this big photo gig and decided to take a portion of the money earned from that gig to purchase myself my longed for boots.  One Saturday morning the B-Dog and I loaded up in the car and begin our search.  This was an unfortunate Saturday to go boot buying for three reasons--1) T had to work on this particular Saturday so the B-Dog would have to accompany me.  That might not be all bad except it's really difficult to focus on a mission as important as this one when you also have to give your undivided attention to a child...a 4 year-old at that.  It's kind of like patting your tummy and rubbing your head at the same time...or is it rubbing your tummy and patting your head?  Trying to do two things at once when both things are equally important and require great amounts of attention can be difficult.  And it's shopping for god's sake.  What 4 year-old wants to be hauled all around town on a perfectly good Saturday to buy a pair of boots for his mom?  Reason number 2--it was damn hot that day.  I mean hotter than hell hot.  I mean burn your hands on the steering wheel hot.  And that kind of hot is just plain miserable...especially when you're accompanied by a 4 year-old who'd rather be at home pretending he's one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (usually Leo).  And then there's reason number 3--my bestest friend was going to be out of town.  Who would I consult?  Who would offer an unbiased opinion about my choices?  Who would keep me from being overwhelmed by my choices and give me ideas about possible outfits to go with said boots?  Now you might be thinking, well why didn't you just put it off until another Saturday?  Please!  It was one of those 'I gotta have it now, I just can't wait another day' kind of moments.

Store number one didn't have a very large variety but they did have a brown pair I tried on and liked (it was this pair and I do think I'd like to eventually go back and buy them.)  But I only 'liked' them.  I wanted boots that I LOVED.  I wanted boots that when I saw them I knew they were MY BOOTS.  So I told the nice sales clerk I wanted to look around a bit more but I might be back.  At store number two there was absolutely nothing within my price range so the B-Dog and I basically walked in, turned around, and walked right out.  I didn't have any luck at store number 3 either.  Store number 4 was having a nice sale so we spent a good portion of our boot search trying on multiple pairs of boots at this store.  There were a couple of pairs that I really liked but they were too expensive.  And then there was a pair similar to this pair.  I liked them and they were on sale.  Something about the dual-toned appealed to me.  I think it's because I think I remember my dad owning a similar pair so they felt nice and familiar.  But I didn't love them and they only had them in a 7 (I wear a 6).  A 7 would have worked with extra thick socks but again I wasn't totally in love with them.  By this point I was beginning to think today wouldn't be my boot buying day.  I was running out of western stores.  There was one more large chain store and then I would have to hit the smaller 'mom & pop' locally owned stores.  I called T up on his cell phone so he could search the Internet for names and addresses of western stores I may have forgotten about.  I was feeling overwhelmed and panicked so I called my bestest friend up (even though she wasn't even in the same state) and left her a voice mail about my boot woes.  She called me back to comfort me just as the B-Dog and I were pulling into the parking lot of store number 5.  I was telling her about my choices and my uncertainties as we were entering the store.  A few feet past the entrance I noticed a display of boots and there they were--MY BOOTS.  I told my friend I had to go because I had found them.  I had found the boots of my dreams, the boots I'd been waiting for oh so many days and nights.  And of course they didn't have a price tag so I just knew I wasn't going to be able to afford them.  B and I made our way to the women's section and I found another pair with a price tag.  Although there were almost double what I wanted to spend I didn't care.  I loved them.  They had to come home with me.  And of course they didn't have my size.  But I tried on the next closest size and once they were on my feet everything was confirmed--yes, these were MY BOOTS screw the price.  So I walked them up to the sales counter and requested they order a pair in my size.  Peeps, I had to wait almost 4 weeks for these boots.  For four weeks I waited impatiently for these boots.  For four weeks I tried to describe them to my bestest friend since she wasn't able to be there for the grand purchase.  For four weeks I dreamed of what I would look like when I had them on.  For four weeks I smiled just thinking about them and that's what saw me through those four long weeks. 

Finally they arrived and the B-Dog and I went one afternoon after work to pick them up.  It was so exciting to take them out of the box and just look at them...and touch them...and smell them...and hold them lovingly up to my cheek.  And yes I wore them all night...with my pjs.

Like I said I haven't worn them as much as I thought I would not because I don't love them (oh I do) but because I still don't know exactly how to wear them or what to wear them with.  I'll see women around with great outfits on and I'll think, oh my boots would look SO good with that.  But I don't seem to have anything in my closest that I think, oh my boots would look SO good with that.  So I've got to start building a boot wardrobe...and live with a little less Sharon Olds...at least for the moment.   

Comments

[Sam]

What a fabulous boot(s) story! They are absolutely darling - very feminine but also strong - and I am very happy for you. I've never gotten a hankerin' for boot-wearin', but you are proof that something like that just hits you and you have to obey that voice!

[Swirly]

I wear boots just about everyday in the fall & winter, and I found this year's pair a couple of months ago. I am obsessed with them...would wear them in the shower if I could!!!

[Elizabeth]

oh Michelle-- i absolutely love those boots-- since I live so very far away-- and no chance anyone will see us standing next to each other-- is there any chance you could share the details?

[donaB]

Hi. I'm a boots girl. I have a favorite pair of boots that I wear as often as I can get away with (Frye's campus boots, a bit less western than yours, but still tough). Like 4 days a week, and I have an office job where I'm a manager. :) With jeans, with skirts, with dresses. I love them best with medium-length dresses, 'cause I feel sassy. My baby sister lives in NYC, and is the classiest dresser I know - she has a pair of red cowboy boots very similar to yours that she wears nearly every day. She wears hers with slacks (grey or black), with jeans (both tucked in and out), with short skirts and interesting tights. Her trick to making this work is to wear a bright color scarf, or headband or turtleneck to balance the color. Otherwise, she mostly wears neutral colors. (Also, she has dark auburn hair, which helps). You might check out the Sundance online catalog for some boot-wearing style ideas. Slightly western, but still flirty and bohemian.

Wear those boots, girl. Their gorgeous, and they spoke to you.

[liz elayne]

these boots are fantastic! i hope you will share the outfits you wear them with...seriously. i want to see how fab you look in them my dear!!! and i want to see you wearing them. :)

[phoenix]

They are gorgeous! Good luck on building a boot wardrobe.... it will certainly be worth the effort! (I have a passion for boots so maybe I'm not the right one to ask.... although... well, in this case, maybe I am. ;) )

(I've been reading your blog for months but have been a lurker so far, so you won't know me. Now I want to take the opportunity to let you know your site is very touching and beautiful!)

[claire]

They're gorgeous!

I had been wanting a pair of special brown boots for a while and would you believe I found them and they cost the grand sum of $30!! They make my calves look chunky but who cares - I'm a hot sexy rock star when I have them on!!

Well, ok, in my imagination I am and that's what counts right?

[kristen]

I covet your boots sister. Truly. I have a pair of cowboy boots that I've had for over 15 years and I love them and I've been wanting new boots, brown boots, with floral detailing forever. All I can find are those beautiful colorful ones that are beyond my budget, beyond. Yours are lovely.

[gkgirl]

beautiful photo
and love the story behind the boots...
:)

[Irma]

Love the boots Michelle, and you didn't even need me to help choose. I remember this day clearly. I remember exactly where I was standing when I returned your call. I remember the cheery sound of your voice when you saw them and I remember how I felt then too. Thank you for taking me back to that time. Sweet! Hope you get to feeling better real soon. XOXOXOXOXO

[bella]

Knowing the story behind the purchase make the boots so much more wonderful than I already thought they were.
Enjoy them girlfriend!

[daisies]

beautiful beautiful boots ... :)

[hel]

They are lovely. The moment I first saw them I though how well they suited you. The flowers are as delicate as your writing.