Here in Chicagoland, our April showers were delayed a month or so by some unseasonably cold weather. So picking up a pair of cozy Aquatalia boots for skinny calves to face the May showers with seems somehow more appropriate than shopping all those summery espadrilles the shops have been showing.
A bonus to this way of thinking is that if you're vigilant, you can find an incredible boot deal this time of year, as I did when I scored this boot -- the lovely
Aquatalia Gina, made in Italy -- for around 200 clams in late April. If you know this label, you'll recognize that as the outrageous bargain it was. Unfortunately, at press time the price had bumped back up significantly, but as the mercury rises I feel pretty confident that it will go down again sooner or later, so if you like the look of this style, put it on your watch list.
Slim-legged shoppers should be pleased with the measurements. Up top this boot is 14 inches, at midcalf it's 13, and the ankle is a bit roomy (as you can see from the pix) at 11". The shaft height in size 7.5 is about 15.7 inches.
The chain detail adds some style without looking too trendy or cheesy, I think -- aided perhaps by the fact that its finish is soft & fairly matte, not bold & brassy. I like the front-of-foot "yoke" (if that's the correct term) that it attaches to quite a lot....a classy equestrian touch. Overall, this is an office-ready pair of slim leg boots that transitions easily to nighttime too.
The cushy houndstooth fabric (microfiber?) lining is probably too warm for summer days, but ideal for the rest of the year. The sole is lightly textured to prevent slips and slides.The padded footbed is a nice touch, though not surprising at Aquatalia prices.
Skinnycalf foes of stretch panels will appreciate the near absence of goring on this boot. There's just one little panel up top (pictured at right), 5/8" wide x 2.5" long. Stretch doesn't get much subtler than this.
This is one of the pointier Aquatalia toes I have tried over the years, but not pointy enough to nudge the Gina into Western territory. The style manages to elongate the leg but not the foot -- quite a trick, and further proof that the Italians really do know how to prettify the female foot, no matter what shape they choose to work with.
Rating:
Beauty: ****/5
Value: **/5 at retail, ****/5 at the price I got!
Calf slimness: ****/5
In brown leather, black leather & black suede.
Find it at: ???
As of January 2018, even ebay's turning up nada :(
Try instead:
6pm has a precious few left of the Aquatalia
Giada (right) and provides a helpful video clip. Great discount, plus a more more traditional toe shape for this brand.
