This month, we will review four pairs of boots from Ariat, Justin, and Nocona.
First up, our marketing director, Emily Thomas Luciano, reviews a dressy pair of Ariats:
I’ll be the first to admit that I have a lot of boots:
- Boots to wear in the rain
- Boots to ride in
- Tried and true daily barn boots
- Boots to show in
- Boots to wear only with boot-cut jeans
- Boots to wear only with skinny jeans.
Ariat’s Desert Holly
I even have boots from my wedding, a sassy turquoise pair that only makes it out if I’m really feeling fancy!
When I got the chance to review Ariat’s Desert Holly, I jumped at the chance because I thought they’d look fantastic with a pair of skinny jeans. My current go-to pair for skinnies aren’t very comfortable and hurt my feet if I wear them for any amount of time. And, as we all know, Ariat’s ATS ® (Advanced Torque Stability) Technology is a treat to the feet! In the company’s words: “ATS Technology supports and cushions the foot as you move, promoting good posture and reducing fatigue so that you can work or play all day.”
The second I opened the box, I was pleased to find the same high-quality leather that I’ve grown to know and expect from Ariat. The color, “Pearl,” is much richer and more luxurious in person than in online images. And the stitching on the boot shaft is adorable—LOVE the gold details.
Naturally, as any good boot-lover would do after getting a new pair of kicks, I put them on my feet and took them for a spin around the house. Remember that ATS® Technology I was so excited about? It makes these boots a dream to wear.
I debuted these boots with a Canadian Tuxedo (that’s denim-on-denim) to the Pensacola Interstate Fair. Though they didn’t come out of the box with an already broken-in feel, by the end of an evening at the fair, they were perfect. My feet never hurt and I felt great wearing them all night.
If you’re looking for a new pair of riding boots, these are not them. At least, not if you’re me – I prefer boots with a roper heel, not the two inch or so stacked heel found on these boots. But if you’re on the hunt for the perfect pair of boots to throw on with nearly any outfit, you’ve found them in the snappy, comfortable Desert Holly.