I bought and then returned this pair of basically bovver boots twice before eventually keeping them. Twice! Can you believe it? I mean what the hell is wrong with me.
I’ll tell you what: I was sick of buying into trends that I know don’t suit me and that I know I won’t wear. I love the look of these boots on other girls, worn with cropped jeans, a grandad knit, an oversized hobo coat and a beanie hat. Maybe also with a small rucksack, accessorised with a dog such as a Jack Russell. But I know that, what with the neuroma in my foot, (which remains unsolved despite an alarming steroid injection,*) and my just general laziness I wouldn’t wear them.
But I wanted them, god damnit. I wanted to be one of those girls stomping about. There was another one, a mum at school I saw last winter. She was an early adopter of DMs-on-the-over-35s, (where they belong, frankly), and I saw her walking along in a patterned corduroy dress, DMs, a long black coat, the beanie and, yes, the dog. She looked terrific.
Anyway I tried the boots on once in Kurt Geiger and thought, who am I kidding? Then I thought “Maybe worn with the right things they will look okay” and ordered them online. They arrived and I tried them on with everything and even though they didn’t hurt my gnarled foot and I thought would break in reasonably quickly I thought “Nah, who am I kidding? It looks like a have each leg in a bucket” and I sent them back. Then I bought them a size smaller and my left neuroma foot literally screamed in pain when I took a step so I sent those back.
Then Kurt Geiger had a sale on and I bought them AGAIN, reduced, in my size, 38, and resigned myself to the fact that they might be one of those purchases that I just want to own and never actually wear. I try not to have too many of those.
ANYWAY. I persevered with them. In theory they are terrific as they do not, unlike other boots, stop just above the ankle, which is the most unflattering length on me ever. Instead they sort of hug my leg right up to the calf, which is just about acceptable.
I have been breaking them in with the help of Compeed, (the right back heel rubs a bit), during interminable, boring, necessary lockdown walks and wearing them with cropped jeans and old sweaters and a long black coat with the addition of a black corduroy newsboy hat that I feel makes me the rakish air of Saoirse Ronan in Little Women, but which my husband refers to as my “70s slag hat”. But yah boo sucks to him because the other day I bumped into my extremely rich and stylish friend Lindsay who said “I like your Heath ‘look'” and I was absolutely delighted for the rest of the day.
I’ve also had a crush on these from Russell and Bromley recently, but only in the way that I quite fancy Bruce Springsteen because he looks like my husband.
*I am 100% going to have surgery on this next, fuck it. It’s horrible to live with and physio doesn’t work.
I did something similar. Convinced I needed bovver boots in my life but also not convinced when they arrived through the door each time (2 Jigsaw orders). In the end I went for it but these Hush ones. https://www.hush-uk.com/nash-chelsea-boots-black/001004-2762.html
They are so comfortable and I love them. They don’t go with everything and that was my original problem. I was trying them on with the wrong things (wide leg cropped jeans – yuk). With a midi-skirt or skinnies they are ace.
I was a dedicated DM girl age 14-22 and then… I dunno. I moved on. Which is ironic because I ditched the DMs when I moved to london, where the weather is ideal for this. The weather in Perth, Australia is very much not :-/
Now, twenty years on I am returning to my teenage uniform of big boots and short skirts plus (60 denier!) tights. A lockdown purchase is these :
https://www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+boots/f0paa/solovair+dora+boots.htm
But I am also grappling with that cool 90s referencing boots/ cropped jeans/ big knit thing. Recently I bought two pairs of vintage Levi’s as part of Operation Fashion Relevant.
Clearly I’m having a midlife crisis.
aren’t we all . at least you’re having yours in Perth and not on a rainy, muddy heath
No, in the end I stayed (for the weather and the traffic, obvs). At least it’s not 41 degrees here and I can wear those boots tramping around squelchy bits of south east London
I had two neuroma removed surgically from my foot just over a year ago, after a steroid injection made the situation worse. Did I I was told post-op for complete recovery, and I have never looked back. Good luck with your op. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
HI Esther, might I respond on the neuroma point? Before you jump into a surgery try seeing an Osteopath or chiropractor. I was diagnosed with a Morton’s neuroma on my right foot and was seeing a consultant to get on a wait list for surgery. I saw a chiro who pointed to the cause of my pain coming from a back injury and unlevel pelvis following a RTA about six years previously – within weeks I was walking pain free and never did have the surgery. It flares up from time to time but that is more an indication that I need a back adjustment as I am applying pressure through my feet and toes differently when not level. That was ten years ago and I thank my lucky stars everyday that I didn’t go through with it. Worth a try as the surgery option sounded truly awful. I’m not medically qualified and am not pushing anything but wanted to share my experience in case it might be helpful to you.
Thanks Susie, I will look into this, it’s not something I have tried. It’s true that the neuroma is incredibly small to be causing such trouble and it’s strange the that steroid injection did absolutely nothing
Sorry, that should read…. did as I was told……
Hey Esther – I hear your pain (literally) with the Mortens Neuroma – had a massive one myself years ago – surgergically removed – looked like a King Prawn, couldn’t believe my foot had allowed it so much space!! I do now have a bit of my foot that feels a bit weird and “electric” when pressed in the spot, but no more pain …. go for it!
I cant spell , but you get my drift!
no-one can spell, it’s lockdown! it’s a miracle we’re alive!!
After buying a returning several cheaper wannabe versions of the Grenson Nanettes, I eventually found an immaculate second hand pair on Depop for a fraction of the price and haven’t looked back. I totally get why they are expensive, they are unbelievably light weight, go with all types of jean styles as well as dresses. They look smart yet casual. They are ridiculously comfortable. Even the laces are just somehow easier to tie up and undo than your usual lace up boots. Would highly recommend if you’re able to have a splurge or patient enough to wait for some good second hand ones to come up. Also, once the soles wear out Grenson will resole and reshape the boots to the original last, and re lace for £120, so basically getting a new pair of boots. As you can tell – I’m a convert. I should have just got them the first time round instead of dicking about with the rip off versions for months…!
as my dad always says… there’s no point in not having the thing that you want. meaning, don’t buy the crap version. either don’t buy it AT ALL or get the one you want
YES – I have the Nanettes (sale + bday money) and they’re the best boots I’ve ever had, no question. Darlingbuds, I am also in Kent and like the idea of us both stamping about the place.
Now I’m fantasising about the brown Grenson Doris Chelsea boots but at £350 I fear for my husband’s cardiac health… there are a great-looking dupe on Zara for 50 quid (leather, I’m not insane) and I’m sorely tempted….
I’ve just been on the Grenson’s website………..not sure about the boots, but the brogues are gorgeous.
Funny as fook xxx
We all do it.. see someone wearing ?? And think oh I’ll buy that..
My purchase was a loose flowing black crepe jersey dress modelled by a 6 foot black girl.
I’m 5’6 pink Irish complexion and a bit fat !
I’ve kept at the back of my cupboard a pair of red Camper ankle boots and am wearing them today for the first time in twenty years!; they don’t look bad! I ordered two pairs of wide leg jeans which I’m a bit nervous about, but as you say, I can always send them back. Cheers for the LOLS.
keep the receipt!!!!
oh, I love them, I do, but I know they don’t look great on my chunky legs. That doesn’t stop me wearing them, though. I like these boots because, as you say, ankle boots are really the most unflattering
Oh dear – read this and just bought the bova boots plus a £400 pair from Russell and Bromley (brown Harley chevron quilt biker) oops. Was only taking 15 mins out of my working day to read emails
KEEP THE RECEIPT!
Woman in long black coat … very Bob Dylan
First cortisone shot did nothing but make me cry. Second cortisone shot cured my neuroma. It’s been 7 years. Maybe give it another try before surgery?
Hmm, interesting, thanks x