It was a year ago when I wrote a blog about why I did NOT buy Stuart Weitzman OTK (over the knee) Lowland boots. Read that blog post HERE. It’s funny how things change in the course of a year. Here I am now writing another blog post and this time on why I DID buy Stuart Wietzman OTK Lowland boots. I’ve worn them a ton this fall and will continue to do so throughout the winter (they are like leggings!) Also sharing a review of the style and opinion on whether or not the designer boots are worth it. Hint: you don’t have to pay a designer price tag to get them and I share in the blog how I got mine without paying the hefty designer price!
Style
Stuart Weitzman is a shoe designer who makes many different styles of boots. The two most popular styles are the leather 50/50 Lift boots and the suede over the knee (OTK) boots. This past fall I finally purchased the Lowland suede OTK boots in black. They are a pull on style boot in a stretchy suede with a leather tie in the back. I have them in a medium shaft and they fit perfectly worn over skinny jeans or against bare legs with a skirt. The over the knee boots are available in different heel heights. Choosing a heel height on this boot is personal preference. If you live in the city, walk a lot and dress more casually then the Lowlands are a better choice (no heel). On the flip side, if you like shoes that give you height and are dressier than the midland or highland would be a better option.
Comfort
This is the main reason why I bought the SW boots. Comfort. The Lowland style is made of a stretchy suede material that is backed with Lycra. These boots slide on and are as comfortable as your favorite pair of leggings. They are lined so are warm and have zero break in time. I have the OTK Lowland (no heel), but have heard that the OTK Highland style (with a heel) are equally as comfortable. Not many people can say that about a heeled boot. They also stay pulled up on your leg like magic. I’ve owned other pairs of OTK boots (SW dupes) and they all sag, slump and fall down. Hence, why buying dupes is not always worth it in the end (read section about getting what you pay for below).
Sizing
Stuart Weitzman boots run TTS but if you are in between sizes I would definitely size up. Whether boots fit TTS or not, I always size up 1/2 size to accommodate thick socks for extra warmth during the winter months. The shaft of the SW boots come in narrow, medium and wide so finding the perfect fit for skinny or wider calves is easy to do.
Care
I treat all my leather shoes, boots and bags with protectant spray. I reapply the spray on commonly worn and carried items every 3-4 months to ensure protection. For the boots, when I’m not wearing them I store in their dust bags in the box they came in and they look like the first time I put them on every time I wear them.
Get what you pay for
I used to be the girl guilty of buying cheap dupes of designer brands. Which almost always ended up with me being completely disappointed. With dupes you usually get a copy cat item with the fit completely off that also lacks quality and comfort. However, because of a lower price point I would be sucked in again to buy more cheap dupes, and ultimately more disappointment. By the time I was done buying cheap dupes that never met expectations I realized I could have just bought the pricey original designer pair and been happy with the quality, fit and comfort from the get go. Had I spent the money up front on one good pair instead of 2-3 crappy pair.
Price
The Stuart Weitzman Lowland OTK boots are not for the faint of heart. Yes, they are pricey. It was a process for me to get to the purchase point of these boots. First, I saw them and loved them but that price tag gave me pause. Therefore, I researched, bought dupes and watched. I studied these boots trying to find a reason to not want them. Every review and person that had them raved about them. Next, I bought the dupes. Not so much to be disappointed in the lack of quality but to see if I would actually wear the style. I quickly learned that I loved the OTK style and wore the dupes with many outfits in my closet even though they lacked comfort and quality. I knew then the real deal SW boots must be mine! Next, I waited…and waited for them to go on sale. I set up google alerts for sales and checked stores many times until I finally found the style, color and size on super duper sale (over 50%) at Nordstrom in the summer (a great time to buy winter boots for a super duper discount). I jumped and have not been disappointed in their quality, comfort or style.
Where to find them on sale
Believe it or not, these boots do go on sale! If they didn’t I would not have a pair! I have seen them on The Outnet and Zappos. You can also check out the Stuart Weitzman website, Saks OFF 5TH (they are having a huge sale right now on these boots), Nordstrom Rack and eBay (just be careful of fraudulent sellers). I also recommend keeping a lookout for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, Black Friday and after-winter deals since many retailers run specials on many of these styles.
