Here's my problem, (ok, one of the many) I want the perfect every day boots.

Now, you would think "Why Jenna, just go out and buy them!" Yeah, well I would if they existed... or existed with a price tag of UNDER 600 bucks.

Here's my criteria, and please let me know if you think I'm being totally crazy....

1. They  need to be black. I wear a lot of black and my feeling is that if I spend some good money on boots I want to be able to wear them with most of my outfits.
2. They need to be flat or semi-flat. Perhaps a slight wedge, but no high high heels. (I have those, I am looking for an every day boot type thing)
3. They need to be super soft leather or suede. Actually, I prefer leather simply because I live in New England, which means piles and piles of snow and slush and ickyness, so if I get suede chances are I'll be petrified to wear them if it's icky out.
4. They need to be knee high, or almost knee high (I'll blog some other day on my opinion of the seriousness of wearing those disgusting ankle boot disasters)
5. They need to have a bit of a rubber sole, with a slight lip that comes up over the sides. Nothing crazy, just enough that if I step in snow higher than 1/2 inch it won't freeze my feet off.
6. They need to be versatile. I should be able to wear them with a skirt or jeans and look 'put together'.
7. They should be water-proof (or at least water proof-able)
8. I need simple. No fancy junk hanging off, no odd buckles, bows, gizmos, bells, whistles, blah blah blah.
9. They need to have a rounder toe as opposed to the weapon sharp pointies that seem to be all the rage. I'm all for fashion, and for self protection, but honestly... I think it's got a bit too far.
10. They need to be in the $100 range.

Now, honestly... My thoughts initially were that this should be something fairly simple to find. I'm not asking for something utterly crazy. But instead, this has become a quest that would rival that of the Lost Arc. I honestly think I need Indiana Jone's help to find this apparent Atlantis of Boot-dom.

Here's what I've found;

a. If you want lower heeled boots that are decent quality, you best understand that means you'll end up looking like a pirate. Pirate boots are all the rage. Argg M'hearties.

b. If you are willing to give up quality, you can find something very similar to what I'm talking about. Of course, if you wear them you'll instantly turn your socks, feet, legs and toenails black, and the second you get them slightly damp they'll fall apart... but hey... what do you want for $25. bucks?

c. You absolutely CAN get what I described if you're willing to pay anywhere from $600 - $1500. Now, I'm all for 'you get what you pay for', but seriously??? I could buy a used car for that kind of money, and I wouldn't have to water proof that or worry that it would make my calves look huge.


At this point I have spent about 5 total hours looking online for these fairytale boots. They don't exist. I'm convinced. I believe that for me to get what I want I'll have to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, after climbing a bean stalk, fighting a giant, riding a unicorn and slaying a dragon.

Why is it that I can't find something simple, wearable, durable, comfortable without lame "trendy" junk all over them for under $100 bucks?

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd truly appreciate it. I'm totally losing my faith in the retail system, and that would not be good.