The Battle Of the Comfortable Brown Booties: Sofft Giliana vs Comfortiva Briane
Fall is rapidly approaching and even though it is 80 degrees here in Vermont, I can’t help but start the transition to my fall wardrobe. The rich colors and cozy knits are calling me.
Last year, I created a Fall Needs List. See more about creating Seasonal needs list here.
On the very top of that fall needs list, was a pair of dark brown comfortable booties. I have multiple pairs in black and a pair of Sofft Aisley in Luggage that I bought locally at Roam Vermont that I love. But, I found myself searching for a dark brown pair throughout the season.
Here were my criteria: 1) Medium to dark brown in color 2) Taller than the average bootie, narrow shaft to go under jeans 3) Available in 8.5 or 9 and have a narrow fit 4) In the $100 range 5) In leather or suede 6) Moderate heel 7) Can be dressed up or down 8) COMFORTABLE!
I decided to shop Zappos. This is the search I used. The trick is to choose Comfort under the Styles section. It makes all the difference.
After 5 pages of booties I found two that appealed to me.
The Boots I Ordered
Ok, I can hear people judging me. Built in socks? I hear you. There is something very Payless 2005 about the Comfortiva Briane booties, but I have learned from experience that boots with knit tops fit my narrow calves very well and I was hoping that my jeans would be long enough to cover the sock part.
Out of the box, the Sofft Giliana booties were a bit snug with a light sock, but comfortable. Similar to the Aisley pair I already owned. What I was suprised about was the leather. It was smoother and more shiny than I was expecting. I liked the Western vibe and the almond toe. I bought them in an 8.5. Soffts are TTS.
The Comfortiva Briane booties were incredibly comfortable right out the box. They have memory foam inserts and they fit my narrow foot perfectly. I will note that I did buy these in a size 9 due to some reviews I read and a gut feeling. The stitching is not my favorite and they were a litte grayer than the photo suggests.
How to Choose
This is the crucial step to choosing new footwear. You need to try them on with the pants (skirts, dresses, etc.) that you wear most. If you not do this, you may end up making a purchase you regret. For example, a “fantasy self” purchase - A purchase that fits the lifestyle you wish you had, not the one you have. Or, an emotional purchase - Such as a purchase that might be too loud and flashy for your everyday life, but makes you feel good in the moment. Or, a trend based purchase - A purchase that has been influenced by what you feel you need in your wardrobe to fit in even though it might not fit your personal style. Or, even a purchase that is exactly what you love, but it doesn’t work with anything in your closet and you will need to buy all new bottoms just to make them work.
Trying on the footwear with the bottoms you already own will help you avoid these costly mistakes.
The Ultimate Try On
Here is some side by side photos of the booties with most of the jeans I wear. Please excuse the wrinkles. They have been folded up on the shelf most of the summer.
Jeans: Levis Premium Wedgie Straight Fit
Thoughts: I think both work, but I felt the need to roll the hem when wearing the Comfortiva booties. I felt like if I didn’t, my legs looked a little stumpy due to the rounder toe. I also think the cable knit sweater (thrifted LLBean all cotton cableknit sweater - similar here) was matching the vibe of the sock boots better, so I changed up to a more neutral shirt from here on out.
Jeans: American Eagle ripped Comfort Waist jeans (very old) but similar here
Thoughts: I definitely prefer the Sofft booties with these jeans. The crispness of the boot helps elevate the casualness of the jeans. Plus the almond toe gives the Western feeling I realize I have been craving.
Jeans: Express Blue Vintage Jeans - I found some on Poshmark!
Thoughts: These are one of my favorite jeans. I thrifted them years ago and just seem to wear them more each year. I usually wear them rolled and this fall, rolled jeans are becoming a big trend. So, I have a feeling these will be in high rotation. Hands down I prefer the Sofft booties. I am realizing how much they help elevate casual looks.
Jeans: Kut From the Kloth Meg Fab Ab Wide Leg. I got mine locally at Roam Vermont.
Thoughts: I am not feeling either of these to be honest. I might put these jeans away after sandal season. I like a bare ankle with them.
Jeans: Free People We The Free Risk Taker Mid Rise Jeans. Last time I checked you could get them at Rebel Heart in Montpelier. These are my new favorite pair of jeans. They give the vibe of Barrel Jeans without being overly shaped or curved in the thigh.
Thoughts: I like them both. The Risk Taker jeans are styled with cowboy boots online, so I expected the Sofft booties to work. However, I think the stitching in the Comfortiva boots mimics the panelling in the jeans and that works for me as well.
Jeans: Rag & Bone Jane Super High Rise
Thoughts: This was an easy one for me. I definitely prefer the Sofft booties. The Comfortiva look too casual for these jeans.
Jeans: Levis Premium 501 Straight patchwork jeans - Thrifted but found them on Ebay!
Thoughts: If you have any classic Levis 501s in your closet, this is how they will look. They are bit slimmer at the ankle than most of my jeans, so I was happy to see that both booties fell under the jeans smoothly. In my opinion, the casualness of these jeans works better with the Comfortivas. The Sofft booties look too stark and shiny against these jeans.
Jeans: Re/Done 90s High Rise Ankle Crop - I thrifted mine, but these are similar.
Thoughts: These are the only skinny jeans I really wear and I mostly wear them when the streets are snowy and muddy. I tuck them into higher boots and they work great. But, I thought I would put them in the mix to test out a skinny pair. They are both ok, but not great. If I had to choose I would go for the Comfortiva and just embrace the cozy sock fall vibes.
I tested them with my favorite pair of black pants just for fun.
Thoughts: I was pleasantly surprised how the Sofft boots looked with these. They almost give off a Chelsea boot feel at times. I would definitely wear this combo. The Comfortivas, not so much.
The Verdict
The Sofft Giliana Boots win! They looked better with most of my jeans and as I wore them, they started to stretch and were very comfortable. I have to admit, before going through this process, I think I would have kept both pairs. The Comfortivas are just so comfy! But, I feel confident that the Sofft Giliana boots are the ones for me and have the most versatility in my wardrobe.
Having trouble styling boots with jeans this season? Contact me for a virtual session.
Love,
Lisa