I cannot believe how beautiful these boots are considering the price! They look even better in person. First thing, The taupe color is very elegant - not too gray or brown, not too light or dark, which makes them appropriate for spring wear as well as fall and winter. I love the weave and tassel which will make them stand out in the crowd. The shaft fits just a tiny bit loosely at the top but that will make them perfect for jeans. (I'm 5"8 and have athletic calves - about 15 inches around.) They are everything I was hoping for and more! Thanks Amazon for shipping these to Japan for such a reasonable price. I found my new online shoe shop!