I'm aware that there is such a thing as a "slouchy boot," well, mine aren't. I've worn them several times and now they are starting to slouch around the ankles, making them look very unattractive. How can I fix this? —Claudia
I'm afraid there's no way to restore your boots to their original state, however, there are some things you can do to prevent them from slouching even more. First, be careful when you'll pulling your boots on and off. If they lace or zip up, be sure to loosen them all the way before slipping them onto your feet so you do as little damage as possible. Second, make sure you're storing your boots properly; either roll up some cardboard and place it in the shaft of each boot to maintain the shape (keep the packaging your boots came with), or buy some of these boot shapers from the Container Store ($9.99 for a set of 2).
The next time you're shopping for boots, look for a pair that fits fairly snug around the calf and around the ankles—there shouldn't be a wide gap in either place. Also, keep in mind that part of what gives leather boots their character and charm is the way they change over time; sometimes a little slouch can be a good thing!
