Lefty, I finally wore out my first pair of combat boots this hunting season. That's what I get for not polishing them at least yearly: they only lasted through 21 years of use/abuse.
If I had my way, I'd run around in black Red Kap coveralls bloused into highly polished combat boots. I mean, pragmatically, it's the pinnacle of clothing technology (short of running around in camouflage coveralls).
I've been criticized for them, too, just as you are in your situation. Except, in my situation, I way overdressed for the party
...then bloused my pinstriped dress pants into my highly (I do mean extreme shined) boots and hit the scene.
But, I rock whatever clothes I wear, and I love my boots far too much to apologize to anyone. I'm a clown, though, and peacock like mad. I understand completely the affection for quality leather footwear, however. It forms to your feet and you forget they're on. I shudder to think how many miles my last pair travelled.
I'd say take the time and fix them up with polish. Yeah, it's a pain to smooth out the rough spots with polish, but, it's sure cheaper than a pair of Chinese shoes that you'll be lucky if they last you through the party. Plus, polishing them would help the ones you have last longer.
Polish them up and make sure your pants hang a little long: you're chick won't even know they're the same boots.
It'll likely wreck your evening if you show her before the end of the evening, trust me. Be careful to show her they are the very same boots at the end of the night to yank her chain.