I've been looking for a pair of black cowboy boots for a long time. I've been hunting online and in stores for the perfect "look" - something that is a hybrid of what a real cowboy boot looks like but also something sleek and stylish. I found something close to what I was looking for at ALDO, and I tried them on. But at the time, I couldn't justify spending almost $200 on a pair of boots that would only be part of my weekend wear... so I continued my hunt. After seeing a few good reviews on this boot and viewing the photos provided here on amazon, I purchased the boot and it was shipped promptly.When I opened the box, however, I was a little disappointed. They weren't exactly what I was looking for. The fit was okay, but they were a bit clunky (and I know cowboy boots can be as I've tried on a lot of cowboy boots this year) which is something I could have dealt with. But what I didn't like at all was that the white stitching pattern on the trunk of the boot really really stood out. I love the look of stitching on cowboy boots, but I think the blend of the white stitching on these black boots were just off-putting to me. If it's possible, to me, it made the boots look "fake" and cheap (which they were so I shouldn't complain). And so I returned them and got a refund (which was easy and pain-free).Since cowboy boots don't really go out of style, I think I'll wait and invest in a really nice pair.