I caved and splurged on these cult-favorite Rag & Bone boots, and I finally understand why everyone
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
- Rag & Bone's Newbury ankle boots have remained popular since launching over 10 years ago.
- They look great with any outfit, but their ill-fit and high price stopped me from going all in.
- But there's now an updated Newbury 2.0 with improvements that make them fit like a dream.
Rag & Bone Newbury 2.0 Bootie Check price at Nordstrom Back in the 2010s, Rag & Bone's Newbury boots were at the center of the fashion zeitgeist. You couldn't walk down the street or pick up a magazine without spotting a pair of the block-heel zip-back boots. There was just one problem: Aside from the $495 price tag, they didn't fit me.
I was envious of friends who happily wore theirs with jeans and dresses on every occasion, all the while claiming how comfortable they were to wear, even on concrete sidewalks. As someone whose shoe size falls squarely between a 6 and a 6.5, I found them super painful, and after a few attempts, I gave up on the idea of owning a pair.
Over the years, I racked up a collection of casual black ankle boots, none of which filled the role of a go-to boot you can slip on with any outfit. The heel was always too low or too high, or the ankle opening was too tight or too loose.
But Rag & Bone recently introduced an updated version called the Newbury 2.0. While you can still shop the original Newbury, the 2.0 is a bit more streamlined with a slimmer ankle shaft and Vibram rubber tread sole. It has also a slightly higher heel, at 3.62 inches.
When Nordstrom slashed the price to around $350 during its Black Friday sale last year, I decided to try my luck again with the new version. This time, the size 6.5 fit like a glove! In the months since, I've worn them with basically everything, day or night. Even with a higher heel, they're comfortable enough to wear for hours on end, and the rubber grip sole makes them even more functional. I also prefer the sleeker look of the Newbury 2.0.
While I normally wouldn't be so quick to throw $350 at a pair of boots, the pandemic (and the reduced number of social outings) has forced me to rethink my wardrobe and how useful a new purchase will actually be. Instead of picking up a fast-fashion outfit to wear to the office a handful of times, I'm now following the ethos of having fewer, well-made things, and the Newbury boots fall right in line. They're honestly so versatile I'm considering selling or donating all of my other black ankle boots.
Even though I consider them a splurge, the versatility of these boots makes them more economical in the long run. Unlucky for me, you can actually find them right now for less than $200, which actually makes them reasonable. Even if they go back to full price, I'd consider them worthy because of how they helped me simplify my closet and getting-ready routine.
Check price at Nordstrom
Ashley Phillips Style and Beauty Editor Ashley is a style and beauty editor for Insider's Reviews team, where she spends her days monitoring the latest product launches, consulting experts on ingredients lists, and helping readers to identify which moisturizers and cashmere sweaters are worth investing in. Before joining Insider, she spent five years reviewing products as the style and beauty editor for Hearst's BestProducts.com, and before that, she was a copywriter for Neiman Marcus where she specialized in fine jewelry and accessories. Her work has appeared in Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Town&Country, and more. Prior to joining the editorial world, she was the owner and buyer of an independent clothing boutique. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in merchandising. Ashley is currently based in New York City. Say hello at aphillips@businessinsider.com or @ashleyphillips88 on Instagram. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test style and beauty products. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxno6nGrbGOq5igZZGjsW6uzqecZqaVrK%2B2vthmmKejnJp6o7vOrapmqpWrtqbD