Booties, booties, booties, booties rockin’ everywhere!
One could totally take the words “nude booties” in a myriad of directions, but for the purposes of this post we’re talking about shoes — specifically cutie-patootie tan, taupe, brown and beige ankle boots with totally comfy and walk-able heel heights, i.e. 2 inches or less, because I got no time to chase after a tabby in high heels.
I don’t know how I missed this nirvana of nudity when I was at DSW last week looking for flats, but this week DSW’s ankle boot situation is all kinds of lit. I’m talking boots with braids, buckles, buttons and steely studs.
No worries if you aren’t into trendy tassels or flirty fringe, either, because they had lots of low-key styles, too.
The Novato store had at least three rows dedicated to booties, and I tried on every single pair. (Not really, but almost.) Meanwhile, Connor kissed every mirror she passed and pretended to change her doll’s diaper on the every single bench.
I also spent a good chunk of time chasing her as part of her training for American Ninja Warrior: The Toddler Edition. Her training involves sprinting down the long aisles at DSW, which also affords me an opportunity to chase her, thereby conducting an impromptu bootie test.
These three passed with flying colors…
Bare Traps Greta Bootie ($69.99)
Perforations (a.k.a punched out holes in the material, which is typically suede) are a big bootie trend right now.
At first I wasn’t sure about these Bare Traps booties. Are you supposed to wear them with bare feet like a hybrid bootie-sandal? If so, wouldn’t your feet be cold? Or is the suede supposed to keep your toes warm??
Such important questions, right? 🙂
Turns out you can go bare or wear them with socks… Yes, socks will still look cute, but I think you’d want solid color socks in a complementary shade because you’ll see them through the perforations.
I’m wearing black ankle socks with these, and I think they’re totally cute.
SNEAKY SHOE PRO TIP #1: (Because I cannot be the only person who does this.) If you ever go to DSW and don’t see your size on the side of a box, turn the box around to check the back for a size label. 😉
I wear a size seven, which is pretty common, so it usually sells out quickly. Shh… Don’t tell anyone, but when I’m on the fence about a shoe and only see one pair available, I’ll turn the box around and put the box back on the shelf so the label with the size isn’t immediately visible…
Yes, I do this to discourage other people from finding it… I don’t know if it actually works, but I do know that when I was looking for a size seven in these Bare Traps, it just so happened that someone had sneakily turned the box around! HMMMM.
Toms Leila Bootie ($79.99)
These tan suede booties have a cushioned footbed, so they feel like you’re walking on fluffy clouds.
They’re also slightly pointy in the toe, so the lengthening effect (which I want!) is more obvious than it is with the other styles. The only thing is, the heel is 2 1/4 inches high, which is still a relatively low heel…but if you prefer flats, it might be a smidgen too high.
Crown Vintage Tesla Bootie ($69.99)
Another perforated shoe! This one is bolder than the Bare Traps, though. Right off the bat, I knew I could spend an entire day in these. They have the softest suede of the three pairs I focused on, and the heel is nice and low.
I would’ve grabbed them if the tan had been a shade darker, because I feel like I would get these dirty easily.
Other cute booties…
OK, before take my leave and you wipe the drool from your chin, what are your thoughts on gold boots…? I feel like these are a tad too flashy for me, but I can see them working as a good neutral/nude shoe.
Happy shoe shopping! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Those are all really cute! I especially like the perforated ones but the whole sock/no sock thing would really be an issue for me. I think the gold ones could work as a neutral. I’m into the Crown Vintage brand so sometimes if there’s too many styles to choose from I’ll stick with a brand I like!
Hey Karen,
I don’t know if it’s because we share the same birthday, but I swear I want to buy a good amount of the booties you referenced here! I’m based out of Chicago though, so you don’t have to deal with me being your shoe competition at the local DSW, in addition to being a size 9. I don’t find the appeal in the dad shoes boot aesthetic either, so I’ll stick to regular boots. I found these Bare Traps boots a while ago at Famous Footwear and thought you’d enjoy this style too, if only they came in more colors 🤔. https://www.famousfootwear.com/en-US/Product/33428-1041388/Bare+Traps/Dark+Grey+Mf/Womens+Roscoe+Bootie.aspx#store=01257&resultsmode=
Karen, the most amazing thing to me about your shopping pics is that your child appears to be connected to the experience, enjoying herself, and letting you shop! When my son was that size, I seriously could not shop. He would take off like a miniature freight train inside any store in any direction, gleefully bulldozing displays and hiding under racks. Dressing rooms were impossible unless they had full length doors. So, congrats on that!! Haha!!
I love fall shoes. Boot season ahoy. Booties are impractical in the midwest, you have like two weeks where it’s cool enough to wear them and not yet freezing cold, muddy, or snowy. But I plan to shop for a pair of high zippered thinsulate Bjorns this year.
P.S. That cat bath video was so rare, wow at seeing a sweet Cat Guy keeping his cat clean! He’s probably the kind of guy who brushes his cat’s teeth too (model cat owner!). My Hubs will love it.
OMG, I was in DSW this weekend with my son. He’s about Connor’s age (27 months), and he kept wanting to check out other aisles. But he’s not tall enough to see over the displays so I had to constantly wrangle him so he’d at least be in my sightline.
I still was able to snag a pair of Hunter boots at a significant discount (it’s about to rain here in Seattle), but I was sweating by the end of my shopping experience.
BUY THE GOLD BOOTIES!!!!
That would be the best neutral with everything.
Those BOC are my fave! 🙂 Of the 3 originals you tested, I liked the Toms best from the box pic, then you had me at “puffy cloud”. HAHA!
I’m not kidding in the slightest when I say, I was scrolling and thinking “OK, come on, Karen. Where’s the gold?”. HAHA! You never disappoint!
PS The only thing about the Toms is that they look a bit clunky because of the straight top and your very skinny ankles. Which is an ankle compliment, not a bootie criticism. 🙂 But the other 2 have more of a scalloped top so they don’t have that effect.
I can spend hours at DSW trying on shoes! I haven’t been in a while, so I’m excited to see some of the new booties. I’m really liking the perforated trend. I think those would be a fun addition to my shoe wardrobe.
“American Ninja Warrior: The Toddler Edition”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love your jeans! As a fellow shortie, can you share the brand and style? Thanks!
Those last pair you tried on, I grabbed last year. They are so comfy! I liked those Bear ones you tried on too. Maybe I’ll grab those this year.
Love that Connor seems to enjoy shopping as much as you do!!
Oh Karen, you’re like that cool mom friend that every mom needs. This post was so timely. Over the past weeks, I’ve visited Nordstrom Rack, Marshalls, and DSW looking for new booties! I almost bought those Crown Vintage booties (with the perforations)—that pair is really comfy and cute! Thanks for this fun post! It was like shopping with you!