After a few minutes of indecision, the girl returned the sample to the display and I pounced on it so fast, I doubt the sole ever touched the table top. The Whitney boots ended up coming home with me, and I can't wait to wear them for the first time. These definitely are the kind of footwear you build entire ensembles around.
If you choose to follow in my footsteps and buy this particular style, be warned - they run small. I usually wear a size 8 boot - but with these, I needed an 8.5.