authoring destruction

Trolled through payless, zappos, and others last night. My issue is I want something that is apparently very particular and utterly not in style right now (no matter how basic I think it is). I think the problem is that nothing is being made with laces that isn't an athletic shoe or a doc marten right now. I want above the ankle, black, lace up, simple boots preferably with a low heel (flat is option 2; high heels are out). Something that's sensible and supportive but not so chunky as to look ridiculous under a skirt. I have owned these shoes. I bought them a year ago and they're beyond dead now. I'm also (being my mother's daughter) extremely leery of ordering shoes sight unseen online before getting to try them on and walk in them a little :( It just seems to spell disaster and I worry I'll psych myself out to hate them when they arrive no matter what. <.<... I will keep looking though; I have no choice XD