Yay! New boots!

[meinfs]

I've been on the hunt for boots that I can (i) wear with my kilts, (ii) wear for dancing, specifically country/western (C/W) dancing two-step & swing. If you recall, I posted a thread in September '08, on my attending a rodeo evening dance in my regular cowboy boots (with the beveled top). As you may very well know, the rabble is divided over the use of cowboy boots with kilts ---, it's normal in Texas,e.g.; some would like to push this envelope and some consider it a 'kilt don't' -- too clashy cross-cultural, image problem, etc, etc.

So I asked around here what I can use for this purpose. Actually lamented that there were no such shoes and then Rex_Tremende suggested "ropers" and then kiltedfirepiper provided his own pictures of its usage. Ahh, I've found a solution.




But before getting the shoes, I've had to make do with my black bowling shoes (looks like cross trainers) or my Timberland shoes (which was difficult to dance in: doesn't glide much).


So, finally, I got my new boots, lace-up roper style - that is leather-soled to glide on the floor (good for dancing).

Here's a little review:

I got size US 10.5 EEE black from Justin Boots.

I like its price, first. I love the leather sole -- caution- if new, it's very slippery on anything. I think I may have to walk on concrete to roughen it up some.

Width designation "EEE" is supposed to be extra wide and it's still snug. Normally with other shoes EE would have sufficed for me, so I suppose Justin Boot's EEE is a littler narrower than I expected. Now, that width terminology is quite confusing to me , there's M's and W's (2W); there's the E's and there's D's... ugh

The shoes' heel is low and not made of leather -- so it provides some traction to prevent slipping.

The feeling I get in the heel area is that I might need thicker hose or have bandage strips on my heels to prevent too much friction.

Overall, the boots are well made. I'll see how it holds up to dancing this weekend.

----------------

NOW I'd like your opinions.

Does it look okay? Does it look nice? Does it look normal??

Can I wear flashes? --- (the hose in the pic do slide down, so I need something to keep them up). I guess that answers that.

Should I use lighter colors of hose? I do know that it's good to match colors either with the kilt or the shirt.

Also, what do you think of scrunched down hose vs full length hose?


So here's a picture of me in my new boots.



Thanks for your opinions, rabble.

[muirkirkca]

Outfit looks fine to me. For the potential of blisters on the feet you can always wear two pairs of socks of appropriate thickness that they are not too tight. Obviously one pair would be ankle socks.

[meinfs]

Outfit looks fine to me. For the potential of blisters on the feet you can always wear two pairs of socks of appropriate thickness that they are not too tight. Obviously one pair would be ankle socks.

Ahh, great idea! Thanks.

[csbdr]

Nice! i have a pair of Justin Ropers and I wear them with trad tartan kilts, UK's, with and without flashes, socks scrunched down....it all looks good. They are a very versatile boot. Congrats!

[Rex_Tremende]

Generally with boots, folks here suggest scrunching down the hose - and I'd say with your short-sleeve shirts, maybe it would be a better choice. In the example you've posted, I suspect that it looks OK because you are wearing dark hose - better than if you had on light hose, which would very clearly divide your legs into three nearly equal segments, visually speaking.

Glad to be of service,
Rex.

[JSFMACLJR]

Please don't think I'm an idiot, but is there any particular reason you prefer wearing boots with the kilt rather than a good stout shoe? I've been known to wear paddock boots, and wellies, and LL Bean hunting boots, and hiking boots under certain conditions like when I'm actually hiking, or mucking around, or shooting, but in my opinion the boots you have--while certainly fine boots-- just don't look right with the kilt. Are you trying for a "certain kind of look", or do you just prefer wearing boots over shoes? Honestly, I'm just asking, and am not trying to be judgmental!

Wear what YOU like, my friend. My opinion is just that: my opinion.

Best regards,
Sandford MacLean

[WBurns]

The boots look great and you can't go wrong with a good pair of "Ropers". A good pair of boots in my opinion will always win out over a good pair of shoes.

[Rex_Tremende]

... is there any particular reason you prefer wearing boots with the kilt rather than a good stout shoe? ... Are you trying for a "certain kind of look", or do you just prefer wearing boots over shoes? Honestly, I'm just asking, and am not trying to be judgmental!

Maybe it would help to start with the original thread. People wear hiking boots with kilts all the time. Think of the ropers as just a bit of a refinement on that concept.

Regards,
Rex.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A good pair of boots in my opinion will always win out over a good pair of shoes.

So says the man wearing flipflops in his avatar!

[WBurns]

I thought about that just as I posted my reply