jrennie

And it took you how long to figure this out???

When they started putting lycra in denim, it changed everything. And boots...ahh boots. Well, what can I say that you haven't?

Have to agree with you on both accounts! Though, lycra in denim is a more recent relevation! You can get snug jeans without feeling like you're in a corset, you don't have to worry about ripping the butt/crotch area when bending down and (this is my favorite) they're wonderful for trying on boots in the store! The stretch makes them super-easy to roll up for putting on & zipping up knee boots. Probably nice for thigh boots too (though I haven't tried this yet).

Doubt this would be a very well accepted look on the street, but lycra-added jeans also roll up really easily. Rolling them up to the knee shows off knee boots really nicely (my wife thinks it looks great), though I haven't yet tried this outside yet.

Have you seen lycra jeans for guys yet? The only pair I have is a pair that was too big for my wife. We were going to return them, but I tried them and like them, so I kept them :-)

Jason

P.S. Anyone know how I can change that "comfy loafer" that appears w/ my posts to something more exciting?

Eek! Sounds like a very unpleasant experience! It's definitely best to stick only to shoes in your size. I've bought a few US size 10's (I'm an 11-11.5), which felt a bit tight in the store, but I bought them because I liked the look and figured I would get used to the tightness. One pair of Via Spiga's has worn in okay since they are leather in & out, but even they are not particularly comfortable to wear. Others I returned or gave away. I've learned my lesson and don't even consider a pair of boots if they don't have 11. I almost never go in Aldo stores because they never carry my size. They claim to have US 11, but it's really Euro 41, which is more like a US 10-10.5 (though I've tried on a pair of Italian 41 OTK boots that fit well---I think Italian boots run about a size larger than the rest of Europe). So, now I don't even try going in to Aldo stores! Jason

Yes! I remember four years ago when I was just realizing that I could acutally *buy* the women's boots I had been lusting over for years. My first sights were set on Payless, since they were cheap (I was a college student then) and you didn't have to ask a salesperson to try them on. I would scout out the size 11 aisle, wait until no one else was there and then quickly try on a pair. I remember one of the first time buying boots from Payless I was super nervous---I must have been blushing and my clothes were a bit wet from all the sweat I generated! Now I just look back and laugh!

Though I can't say I'm 100% comfortable trying on and buying women's boots. Sunday my wife took me boot shopping at DSW (http://www.dswshoe.com/). I was totally comfortable and must have tried on 20 different pairs of boots. When I go alone I sometimes get a bit nervous and either try to stick to areas that I can't be seen or leave the store prematurely. Going with someone else helps a lot; when I'm talking to another person, I don't think about what other people might be thinking about me.

Jason