Let me start by saying I had high hopes for these boots. The sleek block heel and square toe design caught my eye immediately - they're the perfect blend of stylish and practical for everyday wear.

On my first wear, I was pleasantly surprised by how lightweight they felt. The 1.75-inch heel is that sweet spot - enough to give you some lift without making you wobble like a newborn deer. I wore them to work (where I'm on my feet all day) and they held up surprisingly well for the first few hours.

But here's where things get complicated. After about the fifth wear, I started noticing this annoying sensation like there was a pebble stuck under my left foot. No amount of shaking or adjusting seemed to help - it's definitely something inside the sole construction. Super frustrating when you're trying to look polished while secretly wanting to kick your shoe off under your desk.

The leather looks great from the outside, but don't be fooled - it's not that buttery soft quality you might expect at this price point. And that zipper? Ouch. Unless you're wearing knee-high socks, it will absolutely chew up your ankle after a full day's wear.

Size-wise, they run narrow - way more than other Sam Edelman styles I own. My usual size felt like a medieval foot-binding device, so if you have wider feet, definitely consider sizing up or trying before buying.

All that said... they do look damn good with both tights and pants. The style is undeniably chic, and when they're not actively torturing my feet, I do enjoy wearing them for shorter outings where comfort isn't priority #1.

Final verdict? These are fashion boots that prioritize looks over comfort. If you're looking for all-day wearability, keep searching. But if you want a stylish boot for occasional use (and have narrow feet), they might work with some breaking-in.