Recent Buy: Isabel Marant Dicker boots in Anthracite

For years I dismissed the Isabel Marant Dicker boots for myself because they were suede. Having owned an off-white Paco Rabanne suede bag, I know how impossible it is to keep it clean.  After that bag, I practically never bought suede again, that is, until my Isabel Marant Bobby sneakers...I had read how very comfortable the Dicker boots were, and when they were released in leather, I thought: woo hoo! But somehow, they don't quite look the same in leather, I think something about the different shades of suede, and the matte finish, make the suede boots more versatile.  So, in my pursuit for a grey/gris pair (or even taupe maybe), I came across the anthracite, and caved...

pics via my iPhone

Isabel Marant Dicker boots in Anthracite available here and here

Now that they've arrived, my pursuit for a grey/gris pair is stronger than ever, I tried these on with a big pile of clothes, and it goes with practically everything! And, it's most likely certainly the way my mirror is angled (it's a full-size mirror which leans against my wall, so at a slight angle), but my legs didn't look as short and stumpy as I thought it would.

I tracked down a grey pair in London (boo hoo, still very sad about Matches Fashion selling out), but the store wants to charge me the full amount (VAT inclusive), and said they could send me the VAT form to try to claim my VAT back.  Has anyone done this before? I've always had stores remove the VAT, and would love to hear anyone's experience regarding this!

TIA!

Twitter + Facebook + Peut-être magazine (Fashion Writer and Editor) + Bloglovin' + Shop