Tory Burch Grace

It's funny -- I just wrote in my Stuart Weitzman review about the sense of grace that the best equestrian-style boots can confer on us. Then I came across a boot that is actually named Grace, courtesy of Tory Burch.

And indeed there is much that's graceful about these Brazilian-made beauties. Though impressively sturdy -- these feel like they could withstand a Hamptons nor'easter with just a coat or two of waterproofing spray -- they also shout luxury via some impeccable topstitching and a small, elegant buckle detail.

The leather itself is smooth to the touch and gleaming, rivaling Tory's preternaturally glowy complexion. (Does anyone else wonder how she manages that stress-free aura, with 3 teens at home? Is it love for her work, or does she subsist on spinach, salmon & pumpkin seeds? ;)

Finally, the Grace classily eschews the label's sometimes logo-heavy tendencies in favor of just a soft logo-patterned lining (and of course the world's cutest box -- it's the little things, right? 

But back to the big things. The unfortunate flipside to all this design magic is that, in all honesty, I can't call these stunners boots for skinny legs. At midcalf they are 14 inches; at the top opening 15.5. The ankle, at 11.25 inches, is pretty darned roomy on me, though due to the sturdy leather it actually doesn't slouch as much as some softer styles with a smaller ankle circumference.

Bottom line, these boots look pretty sweet from the front and back, especially over pants. But from the side, especially over just tights (as in the top photo), they make me appear rather like a kid trying out mom's shoe collection, which isn't necessarily the most sophisticated look. 

If you decide to try the Grace despite its measurements, a couple warnings. First, these are true knee-high riding boots, with a shaft height (16.75 inches in size 7 1/2) that is perfect for average-height or taller boot lovers but might be uncomfortably high for petites. (Keep in mind when considering these pix that I'm 5'4".)  Second, the foot is comfortable, with a nice rounded toe, but a bit roomy -- so if you're between half sizes, I'd recommend going with the smaller of the two.

photo: amazon.com (unfortunately sold out as of Oct 2018; check ebay?)

I was hoping these would take the reins (sorry!) from last year's Tory Burch Christy, but now I'm thinking the new Marlene (left) may be a better fit. That one does feature the iconic "T" logo fairly prominently, but it's embossed in a tilted, playful way that's more appealing (to me, anyway) than the shiny metallic treatments the designer sometimes employs. If anyone gives the Marlene a spin, please post your impressions!

Update: For 2015, Tory Burch has jumped into the stretch game, presumably in an effort to offer slim riding boots that hug even thin legs more snugly than her usual equestrian styles. Please share feedback if you've tried the snappy TB Selden stretch boot.

Update, take 2: For your fall 2018 skinny calf riding boot hunt -- check out a relatively good deal (nearly 40% off retail) on the classic, pretty Tory Burch Sidney, pictured at right and available in two colors. My research suggests this boot has similar measurements to the Grace, so not ultra narrow calf, but I'm guessing less baggy than many comparable luxe riding boots. 


Rating for the Grace boot:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness:**/5

Find it at:
Amazon has a few left, in brown or black

or a better bet: try ebay for a deal

(But hey ebay sellers, could you pretty-please stop using my blog photo for your listings? All my photos here are copyright this Howdy Slim blog, and contacting y'all one by one is getting old. Thanks!)

Tory Burch Christy

Researching riding boots for small calves that have worked well for others, I read some raves about Tory Burch. It seems this preppy mogul can cut a nice boot for us slimmer women. The smallest-circumference style I found was the Christy, pictured here with my usual assortment of legwear to give you an idea of the fit on 12 inch calves.

Contacting the company, I was told the Christy had a 13-inch circumference in my shoe size, and that turned out to be true...sort of. The crucial midcalf measurement is in fact 13 inches on the dot -- yea! However, the opening up top is 15", which is wider than ideal for me, especially over thin stockings, though with pants it doesn't have nearly as much of that "kid trying on mom's boots" look. At 11 inches around, the ankle is also roomier than desired. But 11, 13, 15 -- in their mathematical beauty, those 3 measurements do kind of express the graceful, even expansion of this boot shaft from bottom to top.

With its pretty pebbled texture and rich espresso color (also available in black), this is the classic run-through-lush-green-fields-like-you're-in-a-Ralph-Lauren-photo-shoot boot that non-WASPs like me may feel slightly ashamed to covet so fiercely ;)  It also gets high marks from my better half, who didn't seem to mind the roominess through the calf. Its elegant simplicity reminds me somewhat of the Frye Chelsea, except that the Christy has a full zipper in back, while the Chelsea has none, and the Chelsea is actually slimmer at both the top and ankle.

In fact, the zipper is one of my favorite features, and something that will appeal to fellow logophobes: There's a subtle double "T" on the zipper pull -- and nowhere else. It's a cute logo, but I've never enjoyed being a walking billboard, so this approach is perfect.

The Christy is a luxury boot, offered right now at a semi-luxury price, so it probably won't last long. (Some sizes are already sold out.) Here's to more slim styles in the future from a brand that clearly knows how to do "riding" right.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: ***/5
Calf slimness: ***/5

In brown or black.
Sold out everywhere, for a while now -- but check the ebay listings - you might get lucky.

***fall 2014 update***

photo: amazon.com

I think the Tory Burch Marlene may be the best Christy replacement for fall, with a similarly rich color (if you love brown for classic equestrian style boots, as I do -- but the style comes in black as well), shape, and leather texture. The embossed logo at the cuff up top is more pronounced than the Christy's cute little zipper pull, but its placement is clever enough to overrule my logophobe tendencies.

Also new for fall, the gorgeous new Grace (right) impressed me with its beauty and construction, but less so with its slimness.

Thanks in advance for posting feedback if you try the Marlene or another new style from this label...