Opinions on these boots please

[jstockton858]

Originally Posted by dhamm

How about these? They're not boots but I like the style. Do you think they'd look ok with jeans

i certainly do... but i also fear what they cost

 

[PG2G]

they are steve madden, like $89.99. Look pretty good tho, IMO.

 

[jstockton858]

doesn't steve madden have a not so good reputation on quality however

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by jstockton858

doesn't steve madden have a not so good reputation on quality however
I'd say so.

 

[dhamm]

Im sure the quality is good enough for me, Im not too picky and they wont be worn too much. Anyone know how Steve Maddens run for sizing?

 

[kronik]

Originally Posted by jstockton858

doesn't steve madden have a not so good reputation on quality however

<confirms>

In my pre AAAC/SF-days, I purchased some corrected grain Steve Madden square-toed loafers......... wow. I was keeping them as rainy shoes but I think I'm just going to throw them out.

 

[dhamm]

What aspects of there construction lead to the poor quality? Do they fall apart immediately?

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by jstockton858

see I am in the same situation as you being a low funds college student trying to find boots, or dress shoes, that look good with slim jeans. i bought these (off ebay for much cheaper) http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7200020.html but afterwards realized i need a black boot. my search is still on.

Those bally's are pretty nice. I posted a pair of Jil Sanders that I think would be pretty sweet for a black boot earlier... let me find the pic, it's on bluefly, I think they're like $200 or so if you use a coupon.

Here:

 

[drizzt3117]

Originally Posted by dhamm

What aspects of there construction lead to the poor quality? Do they fall apart immediately?

Fall apart, uncomfortable, look like **** after not too many wears. Steve Madden shoes are best for using as a doorstop or something of that sort.

 

[gza]

I actually think the boots linked to by the OP look fairly decent. In fact I like them better than the Pradas, although the Jill Sanders look best to me out of the four (they look even a bit R.M. Williams-ish). I think for the style that the OP seems to be going for, though, Varvatos would be a good option. Virtually all his boots have some sort of distressed finish, although I don't seem to recall brogueing on any of them. The price point is similar to Bally but they're easier to find at a discount.

The Steve Maddens in the picture look much better than what I've seen from that brand before. I would have to see a squarely overhead view, however, to prove without a doubt that they don't have some godawful square toe! I think they would not deteriorate so quickly in appearance because of the distressed finish. I think all of Steve Madden's "dressier" shoes have that plasticky shiny coating that turns into the ugliest scuffing and creasing with a few wears, but these wingtips wouldn't suffer the same fate I think.

 

[drizzt3117]

Varvatos boots are really nice in my opinion, generally really soft distressed lambskin that look quite good with jeans.

These other Pradas are nice too although they don't have any broguing.

 

[dhamm]

I have seen some Varvatos' that i liked but they are all way out of my price range. Unfortunately i cannot find any more pics of the steve maddens.

 

[drizzt3117]

Varvatos boots are usually about $129-199 at Nordstrom Rack. I was there today and didn't see any boots but there were some interesting lambskin loafers. The thing about Varvatos lambskin is it looks like because of the way the design it, it creases less than some brands, I'm not sure why, but there's been a pair at NR that has probably been tried on a thousand times and sitting on the shelf for months that doesn't have nearly any creases.

 

[tangerine]

Originally Posted by drizzt3117

Fall apart, uncomfortable, look like **** after not too many wears. Steve Madden shoes are best for using as a doorstop or something of that sort.

I agree with all this except the doorstop part. They are best left in the store.

Varvatos at Nordstrom Rack is a good suggestion. You can also find nice boots on Yoox from time to time, though the price is not always low.

 

[dhamm]

Ive never seen anything from Varvtos at the Rack here in Minnesota.