These days I prefer wearing low-heeled short boots with skinny jeans or with tights and a skirt, and it's a challenge to find comfortable boots that don't look cheap. As a Lightning Deal, I got these for about $63, an indulgence for me. These boots have style and were comfortable from the start. The mix of brown suede turned-down lining and black leather, punctuated with silver grommets, etc. works. The chunky sole looks great and doesn't overpower the design of the boot. I appreciate that these shoestrings aren't too long and stay tied all day! Yet, there are two downsides to these boots. While I prepped them with appropriate boot polish and so forth, the black leather scuffs easily, somewhat more so than a regular boot. While that adds a certain lived-in texture to the urban design, based on what I wear, I'd prefer if they stayed a wee bit less scuffed, like a regular boot. I'm concerned because, after wearing these approximately six times, they are starting to pop and crack with each step, like they're coming unglued. No sneaking up or out when I'm wearing these.