An epidemic of ill-fitting boots.

Queen Mum

I walk through the mall and can't help but notice a sea of "too-big-in-the-calf" boots walking around. It is starting to drive me bonkers, but I bite my tongue and resist approaching these women to point out their wayward ways

Anyone else notice this? It's almost as annoying as improper PPL.

14 years ago

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Barbara

Veteran

No attention to detail, QM.

I am diligent about my own personal styling, but working on a college campus, I see quite a few style misfits.

I have to bite my tongue a LOT!

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think it's that when something is the "it" item of the season, women rush out and buy it without giving much thought to how they might best wear it.

14 years ago

crwilson

Veteran

I just feel sympathy because I know how hard it is to find boots for narrow calves, especially without spending a fortune. And, I've been guilty of this sin myself, before YLF. Seeing all these people with too-big boots makes me think that more narrow-calved boots should be coming out...

14 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Exactly QM, just as Angie's asking on her blog today if we are team classic or team trendy!

"It" items don't always fit into my fashion lifestyle. I like to have fun, but refuse to look ridiculous in my pursuit of style.

14 years ago

marianna

Veteran

I have been noticing this epidemic as well! I honestly think some women just don't know better. I didn't know the correct way to wear boots until YLF!

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

wilson... I agree that it is hard to find narrow calf boots, but it is hard for me not to notice that an ill fitting boot just doesn't a fab outfit make

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Marianna... precisely. I know I can't judge them (and I don't) but it is hard not to notice.

14 years ago

crwilson

Veteran

I agree with you - it really does mar an otherwise strong outfit. I can't deny that, no matter how much sympathy I feel.

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

QM _ I love the term "epidemic". Women just don't know any better. I see it in magazines with pictures of stars in their "casual outfits". I can tell you that most women I know, and most cobblers in the area that I am from don't know that boot shafts can be tightened ! HORROR of HORRORS ! Someone needs to contact the White House !

14 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I don't think this particular problem has anything to do with women rushing out to buy the "it" item. I think it has to do with a dearth of options for narrow calves. Period. Not everyone in the world is as dedicated to fashion as we on YLF are. They are not willing to dedicate 20 hours a week and $100 in addition to the cost of the boots in the pursuit of a perfect fit, so they do the best they can. I'm sure very few people are even aware of cobblers, let alone taking in the shaft of a boot--and those that are probably don't care enough to pay the expense. I don't blame them. My own calves are not as narrow as some of the ladies here, and given how much I struggle, I can't imagine what an impossible task it is for those who have 12, 11, and 10 inch calves. And cobblers are risky business, as April found out. To rely on THAT as your main source of fit is very offputting.

Until designers appreciate and respect narrow calf customers as a distinct market, I can't put the onus on the consumer. I find boots because I dedicate a lot of time and considerable effort. It's not a small thing. I am not surprised others aren't willing to go through it. Sure it's not as stylish, but tough noogies. Hopefully designers will take notice of all these ill fitting boots and take some action.

14 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

Yeah, I see it everywhere. But in their defense, a couple of months ago I wouldn't have had a clue there was a problem with it. LOL I'm just thankful I found YLF before I invested in 2 pairs of knee high boots.

14 years ago

Christie

Active Member

Guilty.

I have a nice pair of Born boots that gap a bit. Am I going to replace or repair? Nope. I like them. They are 8 hour boots and I can't justify the expense otherwise (or risk the cobbler either).

14 years ago

ticksgirl

Active Member

I don't always think it looks that bad. *ducks* Yes, sometimes you see women whose calves are positively swimming in their boots, and that's not a good look, but a 1-inch gap just doesn't bother me. I actually think a slight gap can be flattering when a woman's upper thighs are significantly wider than the lower part of her leg. I think the extra width helps balance things a bit.

But I am still a YLF neophyte, so I may one day deny I ever said this.

14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

TG, I don't mind a bit of a gap either <whispering>. But when you can fit a hand or two down in there, then it just isn't right. But I commiserate with women on this, because I cannot find a pair of tall black boots that fit and meet my criteria, after searching last season and this one. So I am giving up.

14 years ago

Vani

Veteran

Kim, I'll make sure to not have on my 2inches-too-tall-in-the-shaft boots when I meet you Seriously though, I think it is part what you say - rushing out to buy the next it thing - and part "I'm cold, I need boots and to hell with fit or fashion as long as they meet form and function". I spent a whole winter last year looking in vain for boots that work for my short legs and narrow ankles and it was exhausting. And I don't imagine too many women want to put much time or money into the process. Much like all other areas of fashion *cue ill fitting jeans, too short tops, sneakers etc*

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Yeah, I'm with TG and Jonesy: I don't think it's a big deal if there is a bit of a gap at the top of the boot. Nothing extreme, but an inch or so doesn't bother me. And as someone with large calves, I have to admit that I actually *like* the look of a little bit of a gap. It makes me envious.

Boots are difficult to get perfect, and unless we are among the few who are blessed with average calf circumference and average shaft height, I think compromises are sometimes made. I have 15.5 inch calves but am otherwise quite small (with small ankles), the distance between my ankle and knee is short, AND I only buy vegan shoes. When I found a pair of really cool, grey, vegan boots that fit my calf, did I not buy them because the shaft was an inch or so too high? No, I bought them anyway. It was that, or no boots at all.

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

For the record.. I wasn't referring to boots that leave breathing room , but boots that are truly too big. I do understand that not everyone wants to spend hours searching for the perfect boot..... but (again) it's just something I've been noticing.

Even for myself, I had ordered a pair of boots,and when they came and I tried them on, my husband loved them... but they were a good 2 inches too big in the calf. I sent them back, but he just didn't understand why I was unhappy with them. I realize it is because I have learned the difference between "cute boots" and "the right boots for me" Had I kept them I'm sure I would have gotten alot of compliments on my boots, but they wouldn't have left me feeling head to to pulled together and polished.

14 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

LOL. The 'cute boots' are usually at the back of the closet, unworn. QM, your post has created quite a reaction!

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

I hear ya Kim!! This fashion knowledge is a blessing and a curse...I just don't feel fab when I ~know~ better now:)

Before when I wasn't aware of my wrong pant length and blissfully walking around in my too short pants...thinking I was showing off my adorable shoes, so too short was OK...jeez..how embarrassed I am now when it is so obvious they were 2 inches too short!

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I see this a lot where I live, too. Actually, I am so proud of the brave souls who buy and wear boots where we are that I try not to notice

14 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

haha- yes Khris.. points for trying

14 years ago

Steph

Veteran

QM, I didn't mean my post to sound like I thought you were being frivolous or petty in your complaint. I just honestly do like the look of a boot that has a little bit of gaping at the top. I agree that some people just wear boots that don't fit, and that is not a good look at all.

I think that part of the problem is that manufacturers try to make boots a one-size-fits-most proposition, but the result is that it only properly fits a small percentage of women. Thus, there are a lot of women with small calves buying improperly fitting boots. However, because there are so many all doing the same thing, people begin to assume that's the way boots are supposed to fit. So if a lot of women think that boots are supposed to fit with a one inch gap, because that's what they see, then if there is a two inch gap they figure that it's just a little big, not a lot big. That's my theory, anyway.

14 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Yes I notice the gap in boots often. And I notice PPL misses. And a few other fit issues I learned through YLF. But I also realize how much time and effort it is to get that perfect fit item. It can be really frustrating to set aside an entire day and then come empty handed because the fit is not "just" right. And for some, they just don't care. I have a co-worker who wears pants so baggy in the rear and so short in the length, I see the white socks with the black shoes on a daily basis.

14 years ago

Marigold

Active Member

So true! I see it all the time, and it didn't bother me before, LOL, Thanks YLF! Now I know better, and it really is not a pretty look, streamlined-in-design riding boots that are gaping a few inches at the top. I have skinny calves myself and I know how hard it is to find a nice fitted pair of boots. But that's the thing, you have to search for what looks good on you and fits you right, not rush out the door to get the pair that's trendy right now.
And sometimes you need to compromise, a killer pair might not suit you best, and the pair that fits the right way will be KILLER on you!

14 years ago

Marigold

Active Member

And not only that, actually... There is a couple other fashion forums out there that I check sometimes, and there are a lot of people with ill-fitting boots, but nobody seems to mind! There are rarely comments on fit, just on the overall style of the boot. That's why I like YLF, you get the whole 9 yards of feedback!

14 years ago

chouette22

Veteran

I definitely agree with you! However, it has become increasingly difficult to find boots with a narrow-fitting shaft. I started wearing boots about three years ago and had a really hard time finding boots that fit my calves - many of them were too narrow. I was a cyclist in my later teens and 20s, and despite being slim, fit and petite, my calves are a bit muscular (13.5"). Then what happened? The fashion trend of tucking your pants into the boots appeared, and the manufacturers all seem to have added a couple of inches to the circumference of the boots. Now I am getting totally frustrated with the opposite phenomenon: all the boots I like are too wide, if I want to wear them with tights and skirts (they work fine with pants)!

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Not only the subject of boots, but on "eye-opening" in general... Just this morning I had breakfast with a good friend, who wears clothes of a style she apparently decided on several years ago, specifically those high waist Lee jeans that are pleated and then tapered to the ankle. She has a fab figure and could wear a lot of great styles, but I doubt I could go there.

Anyway, I kind of wish I HADN'T noticed how out of date her clothes are, and I probably wouldn't have thought about it pre-YLF. It makes me feel kind of bad.

14 years ago

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