SD Review: Johnston & Murphy Virginia Boots

Sometimes it takes me a while to warm up to something. I resisted espadrilles and open-toe shoes for ages. Now I'm not sure if I could live with out them. It's not that I'm closed minded; it's more like I'm very particular.

One footwear item that I didn't realized how much I loved and needed until fairly recently was the flat boot. I've always preferred the heeled knee-high boot. I have them in several colors but about two or three years ago I really started noticing how much I liked the look of the flat boot, especially with tucked in jeans.

But there was a problem with this. First, finding the right jeans. I've really liked the matchstick jeans from JCrew for this. But then the boots. Buying knee-high boots can be pretty problematic. It adds another layer of complexity to my shoe shopping challenges. Not only do I need it to fit my small foot, but also my calf. I do not have straight calves. Many years of English dressage horseback riding and jumping lessons have given me muscular curvy calves. For some reason shoe companies think if you wear a small size shoe then naturally you have equally small calves. The diameter of the boot shaft will increase as the foot size does even though they are not really related.

Suffice it to say, I've been searching for the right flat boot.

When Johston & Murphy contacted me to let me know they were launching a footwear line for women (in addition to their men's line), I was very excited to try them out.

First I want to express my appreciation of the lovely and thoughtful and clever package they sent me.

They sent me all of their images digitally which was a smart way to ensure I receievd their information without clogging up my email!

But on to the boots, right!?!

They sent me the Virginia boots in black.

These boots are perfectly soft and clean-lined but with a great texture.

You're going to see I was totally smitten with the back zipper and snap tabs because I took a million pictures of them from this angle.

I love the brass hardware and the tabs so much. The shoe is very simple but gives off this strong, feminine yet kick-ass kind of vibe.

ZIPPERS!!!

Almost military but still dressy enough for skirts.

I have been wearing flat boots and jeans all winter but I am loving the look of flat boots with dresses for spring. They are not going away.

While these boots were from the Autumn line, Johnston & Murphy has put out an adorable collection for spring.

They have clothes and accessories too but you have to check out the new shoes. I love the Carmen ankle strap wedge and the Paige red patent driving mocs.


Keep an eye on these folks. They are doing really cute looks and the quality, from what I've seen, is great.

Thanks Johnston & Murphy, for letting me test them out!