There are some things I simply will not spend a lot of money on; I just won’t. I used to care about name brand things but now I’m more concerned with durability and important things like Scotchgard. When I was in eighth grade, I wanted a pair of Aigner riding boots. They were beautiful and all the popular girls had a pair. They were leather and black or brown and came all the way to the knee. Best of all for me? They’d fit my skinny calf because they could be tightened. My mother took me to Hahn’s but we left empty-handed, her saying there was no way she was paying that much for boots that would probably only last me a year.
Oh, how I begged. I cried right in the middle of K St. She would not be moved. I suppose she had similar feelings to my position at Christmas over the tennis shoes my daughter requested. I remember we continued to walk and then we went into another shoe store. They had a pair of boots that were similar, yet not the same as the ones I wanted. They weren’t real leather. They did go to the knee but they weren’t adjustable; there were a few rows of decorative shoestring that wasn’t meant to be untied. I hated those boots. I told her if she bought them I would be laughed at. I told her I would not wear them; she could not make me. Perhaps you just gave me the “little girl, please” look she gave me. I’ve given it to my own children. You will wear what I buy and like it.
My mother bought those boots because they were what she could afford. She had no damns left to give about my petty social status. The first time I wore the boots I got funny looks but I also got comments about how they weren’t like everyone else’s deeming them semi-cool. I still hated them and I wore them infrequently. At nearly 40, I can still remember what it felt like to be given the “almost” item. The item that wasn’t quite what I wanted, but was close enough (based on my mother’s perception.) It’s almost like when my husband comes home with real mayonnaise instead of Miracle Whip. The hell is that? It’s like you don’t even know me. Or, like how stores try to put their brand of a product right beside the name brand and have similar colors/branding. You ain’t fooling nobody, CVS! Your Gold Medal nuts are not Planters and I know it.
I do this on purpose now. I go to DSW with the desire to get new tennis shoes but wind up at Target because who’s spending $80 on New Balance when I know there are Champions for $24.99? All of this is to say: I have issues with spending on certain things whether they’re for me, the kids, the house, whatever. Sometimes it’s silly, trivial things like Oh, I am not paying $4 for that lotion. I’ll just be ashy. Makes sense, right? Or I’ll get the less expensive brand then be mad when I’m still ashy because there’s a reason it’s priced lower, dummy. Now, though? I’m in a bit of a pickle.
You see, I may skimp on just about everything nowadays, but there are still a few things I will get even if they’re not on sale. These items include coats, cardigans, and certain shoes. I am in the market for rain boots. Wellies, galoshes, whatever you want to call them. I find myself on the subway staring at other women’s boots to see the brand. Are they thick? Do they fit against her calf? Are they adjustable? Are they a nice color? Is she approachable so that I can ask where she got them?
I’ve been looking for the perfect rain boot for YEARS. They’re all so…big about the calf area. My stick leg looks like the lone pencil in a jar. So, today, when I saw a woman who also had bony legs, I asked her. She gushed over how long she’s had the boots, how much of a good investment they were, how comfortable. Did you catch that? See, whenever someone mentions the “investment”, that means they paid a whole lot more than you probably want to pay and they’re trying to tell you without actually saying I sold my first born for galoshes. Use the context clues. I thanked the woman and Googled Hunter when I got to work. The least expensive pair is $135. Rain boots. $135. One of these things is not like the other.
I am willing to spend lots on sneakers for my kid or to upgrade my phone, but $135 rain boots? I’m trying to find a way to make it make sense. If I buy a cheap pair from Target, who’s to say they’ll last and I won’t be buying another pair next year and the year after? What if I wind up spending more than $135 on multiple pairs of boots rather than a pair that has 5 stars and excellent reviews? I’m trying to remove the price and go off the fact that I need rain boots and have wanted a pair for a really long time. It’s not like the narrow calf market is huge. I’m usually able to pay for things that I need or genuinely like so what’s the issue with this? I see people with Ugg boots, let alone multiple pairs, and I can’t get my mind around $100+ on winter boots (of course, there are the people who wear them in summer which makes even less sense than the price.)
They’re rain boots. Not every day wear boots, but rain boots that are $135. I can’t. Maybe I should find a pair of “almosts.”
Don’t do it! I feel every sentence of this post – especially the bony calf! Knowing my issue, my mother went and splurged, got me the Hunter boots for Christmas last year. I hate them. And I know I’m not normal, everyone loves them. They are big and heavy and my stick leg swims in them. But if you are still considering it, check out 6pm.com. They have 70% off some great designers. Cause I feel you on all of this.
Carinn, you are the second person to mention 6pm to me today! I remember hearing about the site years ago but never visited and now here I am being reminded twice in one day. Anyway, no, I don’t think I’ll get them. I just can’t get the price tag to make sense because, well, rain boots.
Who didn’t want Aigner riding boots! They were “it”! My family didn’t have money and saddle shoes (you know the white with black ones) were HUGE when I was in middle school. My “almosts” were white, baby blue and not cool. I hope I wasn’t too hurtful to my mom but I probably was.
I am the person (also skinny legs) who looks at the fit on others, asks sometimes, and spends on a great pair if I LOVE them. I love my Cole Hahn riding boots which were on sale 3 years ago but still alot. I still get compliments every time I wear them and they’re still going strong. I do not like Hunter boots though so for that price, eh! Keep looking or by comfy but inexpensive. If you wore them all the time and they were cute, it would be a different story.
You need to submit something on Yeah Write sometime.
Gina, I still see that Aigner symbol in my head and feel all weepy for what never was.
I have the same problem! My spider legs always drown in boots!
I had one pair, a nice leather boot with a sexy 4.5 inch heel. I bought them because they were so inexpensive for a name brand. I took them to a local shoe repairman/dry cleaner and he measured my calf and then cut and resewed them. THEY WERE WONDERFUL. I spilled something really dark and ugly on them last year, then considered having them dyed just because they fit my leg and I haven’t had a pair do that since.
I swear woman we are on the same page yet again.
I have been looking for a great pair of rain boots for years. I won’t pay $100+ I just won’t.
I saw some at Costco but they were so ugly. I stood there for a very long time and contemplated ugly vs. bargain. I left empty handed.
I have the opposite problem as you. I have very muscular legs and I worry about them being too tight for my calves. had a woman at the gym tell me how nice and muscular my legs were – I told her to buy me boots then! I would trade with you in a heart beat.
But I must tell you I got a pair of Aigner black riding boots last year at the end of the season for ….wait for it….$34.00!!! I get more compliments on those damn boots each time I wear them and I only paid $34.00.
Love ‘em. Great leather, great look and I didn’t have to get a 2nd job to buy them.
now if we could just find some rain boots!
Isn’t it always that way? The skinny want to be the muscular, the muscular want the twig legs. Just $34 huh? I am rolling my eyes at you and wondering where those boots were in 1986.
Here’s what I think. I too am always chicken to pay a bunch of money on a pair of boots – boot styles change so fast, that I’m always afraid that what I adore today, will feel hopelessly out-of-style in two years. YEARS ago, I desperately wanted a pair of Uggs, but I didn’t do it because I thought, “oh, they’ll be out of style in a year.” What did I know? If I’d bought them then, I’d have gotten years worth of toasty feet out of them. But I’m less fearful about the rain boots, because rain boot styles don’t really change. A wellie’s a wellie. So if you invest the $135 in a really good, comfortable pair, they’ll last you 10 years or more. And if you prorate it, that’s $13.50 a year, which is a damned good deal. But I bought a pair of Kamik rain boots from Zappos.com a couple of years ago, and they were pretty cheap and really nice. Here’s the link – http://www.zappos.com/kamik-olivia-black . Click aro7und on the other Kamik boots, because they have an assortment of widths for skinny legs or big legs. Good luck.
Gretchen GET OUT! Kamik is the other brand I found all on mah own (ok, well, found on Zappos) and liked that some of them adjusted. And did you just pro rate the boots for me? YOU KNOW I HATES THE MATH. But, when you put it that way…
I just want a decent pair of boots; I’m not even concerned that much about cuteness. And I don’t want to look drowned in the boots like — I don’t know, why does bass fishing come to mind?
Dude – $135 rain boots should come with a butler holding an umbrella over your head – they’re rubber!
I’m glad most of y’all agree with me. But, maybe I should say I have an issue paying over $100 for a microwave too so we were without one for months.
I don’t know, girls ~ after trying on a pair of Hunter boots a few years ago, I KNEW I would sell roses at stoplights to own a pair. Guaranteed for life; they’re from England and oh-so-comfy, especially since they come with a knitted cuff that fits like a legwarmer over the top of the boot, ensuring a cozy fit. My mama & brother came through for Christmas and those babies get worn all year ’round! With shorts in summer rain or at the lake, daily walks with the dog in leggings or tucked-in jeans when it’s cooler ~ I shop infrequently, buy “classic” and wear forever : 1998 peony-pink raincoat from Nordstrom’s + black Hunter boots = Happy Rainy Days! DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY ! ! XOXO
I read sell roses at stoplights and laughed so damn hard I had to get a tissue before I could read the rest. I don’t know, Terrie; I want to do what makes me happy but I fear it’ll be one of those regretful buyer’s things.
P.S. Saw a really cute idea on Pinterest the other day : if you can find an inexpensive pair of boots at, say, Target or Sears, etc . . . a shoesmith can add a buckle for you to tighten, and KRYLON spray paint comes in great colors & will adhere. If you like fancy, stencil your monogram or a design over the paint. Happy feet!!
I haven’t commented here in a while. I ‘ve been reading all your post though. I think they’ve been awesome, and I just wanted to give you a late high-five for getting published! congrats! :)”
Oh, thank you. How’s potty training going?
I actually love my Hunter boots. I don’t think they are too heavy and they look great as well as serving an actual purpose. Plus, I like you, love my cozy socks. They fit perfectly in my Hunter boots. I hesitated getting them too but then I thought, my feet are done growing and I can wear these for years and make them worth the cost. Also, I get lots of compliments on them and I get a buzz without buying illegal drugs. WINNING!
I felt the same way-I hate splurging on stuff and refuse to do it a lot of the time. I have been wanting a pair of Hunter boots for years, but just couldn’t get over the price. Then I decided that I would get a pair when I lived on a farm, because when you live on a farm, you need rainboots and I could justify it. And then my birthday came up and my husband bought them for me and I am so glad he did because I love them! (And him)
Good luck with your decision. Also, Uggs are stupid. Especially in summer
So, back in my first years of college I sold shoes to rich girls and when the Aigner boots came in it started this flood of chicks coming in and trying them on and leaving. And I’m going to tell you this right now: Those things scuff at the drop of a hat, and after a few people tried them on, they looked like hell. By the end of the season, no one would touch them and we’d end up marking them down to 90% off. And this doesn’t take into account that about half of them got returned to the store after three months because the soles cracked. You dodged a bullet there!
Oh, Kim; I am very happy to know that my pining is for naught.
I know.
Move to California.
It never rains here.
(I’m a problem solver.)
p.s. Spoken by a 44-year-old who wanted Jordache jeans so bad I would have traded my sister. I got Jor-Dash instead. Wrong.
OK, the Jor-Dash HAS ME DYING! I don’t want to be the “almost” mom (but with three kids to buy frivolous things for, it’s getting rather difficult to not buy a close enough but not quite brand.)
I own a pair of Hunter boots – it was a big decision for me. I bought them after a few too many rainstorms in flip flops in NYC. I justified the purchase because I walk to work, and I also wear them in the snow with the little fleece inserts – they really are great. I had the opposite problem though. I have fat calves and had to buy the fat calf version. Also, I bought them on Zappos for $90 – this was several years ago. Anyway, I do recommend them, but I feel your pain.