Boot shopping vent

Lee Hovey

I know this is probably a repetitive argument, but as a large calved girl boot shopping is soo frustrating! I will admit online retailers have come leaps and bounds from last boot season, because most now provide a circumference measurement in the description, and some even provide an auto sort to quickly list all "wide calf" boots.

But my frustration comes in where I go to the "wide calf" boot list (on Nordies for example), and there are boots with 14", 14.5" and 15" measurements in that list. I am sorry, but a 14" circumference is NOT a wide shaft boot. I know the skinny legged shoppers might disagree, but in my opinion the average circumference for boots is about 15" from what I have seen, so can we PLEASE keep the "wide shaft" list to a minimum of 15.5" inches, though I think it should only be 16" and more.

This would certainly make shopping for boots easier for us large calved gals. So retailers, if you are going to make a specific "wide shaft" list PLEASE decide on a minimum measurement, and COMMUNICATE that!! So I know what I am looking at.

Also, one last plea to those retailers that STILL do not provide calf circumference measurements... PLEASEE!!!! Do it NOW..... I actually emailed cust. serv at Ruche 2 months ago inquiring about calf circumference of some of their boots. The rep provide those measurements, and I have noticed that all the boots they have added to the site now include the measurement. Right on, Ruche!! More retailers need to wake up to the different needs of different sized women.

Ok sorry, I feel better now *puts soap box away*

14 years ago

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from modgrl

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I can understand your frustration! I wish they'd put the calf measurement on all boots shown online. And you're right - there should be a minimum cut off/starting point for what is a wide calf.

I'm in the 14-15" range, so am not dealing with this aspect of shopping for boots, but would you believe sometimes they don't even put the shaft height on their listing? Ok - so it's "knee high" , but what is the height?

Another little mini rant - jeans. Some stores don't indicate the inseam. Saying "average" or "tall" doesn't tell me much.

What approximate calf-size are you looking for? I've found that some boots might have a smaller calf width, but then there's an adjustable buckle, which totally changes everything.

14 years ago

marianna

Veteran

Anything bigger than mainstream is hard to mind. Wide calf, as with plus sizes, petites, talls, etc is hard to find because it's not the norm. It's common... but still not the norm. Very annoying.

I guess I have been lucky this season. My calves are around 16.5-17" but I haven't had too much trouble finding boots. When I was at Nordstrom Rack a couple weeks ago I tried on numerous pairs that fit me perfectly. I wonder if the bigger calf boots get sent to the Rack because they don't sell at Nordies?

I completely agree that all retailers should list calf circumference though. It would save us a TON of heartbreak! By now I've sort of learned what brands will fit me and what brands won't fit. The "comfort" brands usually run larger, whereas the more trendy/fashionable boots will be made to fit a thinner leg. I settled for a really classic Sudini riding boot, but it fits me perfectly in the calf and the quality is great. For my trendier boots, I have booties and shorter boots.

I honestly think that you just need to try on a million *more* boots. You'll find something that fits... I have. Good luck.

14 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

A round of applause from over here, Kendra. Totally agree on absolustely every point!
I'm awaiting a pair of boots I ordered from Zappos last week, and if they don't fit I'm probably going to cry simply because the hunt is so frustrating!

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I'm with you all. I have 16 inch calves, and it seems to be a nowhere land for boots- too big for most regular boots, and too small for most wide shaft boots. I just scored a great deal on some Dockers on 6pm.com,

http://www.6pm.com/dockers-art.....-synthetic

so we will see if they fit when they come.

14 years ago

garmenta

Active Member

It's a struggle on the other end of the calf size spectrum, too--just goes to show you that anything that's different from "average" is harder to find. It helps that the makers have gotten out the tape measure and are giving us better circumference measurements. At least the first pass is a little easier.

I found the reviews on sites that have good user comments helped a lot too--sometimes the measurements are off, but if many people comment that it will fit a smaller or larger calf, that can clue you in.

14 years ago

Lee Hovey

Active Member

It's so much the quantity of wide calf boots available, because I really feel like they are alot easier to find now then they used to be (though of course I wish there were more), my problem is how difficult they make it to find wide calf boots. Plus most of the boots I can find, are synthetic material, or just plan ugly!!

I scored 2 pairs of wide calf boots from payless.com and I love them, but they are both synthetic. I am really yearning for a really good quality all leather or real suede boot. I would love to find several styles in both brown and black.

Marianna, I have the same calf size as you!! 16" I can sometimes squeeze into but I really need anything from 16.25" to 17" to be comfortable and not make my calves look like stuffed sausages. I wish there were a Rack around me! The other problem I have is that with my bad injury I really can't just go to a dept. store and try on a million boots. I have soo much pain bending over putting boots on and off, I can only do it once or twice before the pain is unbearable.

Thanks for that link Chewy!!

Any other real leather tall boots is anything larger than a 16" calf, please share! Another problem I think I have is I am being somewhat picky in style. I am not looking for a riding boot. I really want flat boots, and I love extras like buckles, straps, rivets, etc.... something a tiny edgy.

14 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Just an additional rant... Makers of wide-calf boots could use a reminder that there are more than two colours in the world. Yesterday I went through the entire collection on http://www.widewidths.com and found a grand total of three boots that weren't black or brown (one red, one burgundy and one taupe). Variety is the spice of life, my friends.

14 years ago

RoseandJoan

Veteran

How difficult would it be for the manufacturers to allow you to filter by calf circumference in inches rather than the generic narrow, average or wide? It would make everybody's life so much easier!

14 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I usually find calf circumference and shaft height measurements confusing. I don't know if this is just me. When I'm comparing prices of boots on different sites, I notice their measurements are often inconsistent, sometimes remarkably so. I am on the chicken calf end of the spectrum and have experienced much heartache over this well, but a lot of that has been shaft height too. Being petite and shopping for boots is a pain. So really, unless you're "normal" (over 5'4, 14'-15" calf), you will probably have a tough time.

I'm on the "normal" side of thin though, so I'm grateful for that. I know some girls who have REALLY tiny calves, 10" or 11", who can't wear boots at all. So whenever I'm feeling frustrated I remember that and count my blessings!

14 years ago

April

Veteran

Kendra -- it seems that most of the YLF boot shoppers are tearing our hair out. I do sympathize. "Wide calf" is an underserved population, and -- sad to say -- things are even more bleak at the other end.

You're so right that 14" is not wide. It's definitely the most common circumference I've seen. To create more frustration, when you search the "narrow" selection in the calf-size dropdown menu on the Nordstrom website boot shop, guess what calf circumference many of the boots are: 14". Even 15". What can they be thinking?

14 years ago

Alecia

Veteran

I'm with you, Kendra. Hang in there. I'm so appreciative when I find boot that fit that I treat them with extra love so I won't have to get any for a LONG time. This is one of the reasons my cobbler is such an asset.

14 years ago

Mac

Veteran

I haven't tried these boots BUT they look gorgeous AND they're 50% off at amazon right now and the boot opening is 16.5" Maybe suitable for us wide-calved ladies?

http://www.amazon.com/Dolce-Vi.....038;sr=8-1

14 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I saw these boots the other day - tried them on, very comfortable. Immediately thought of you - buckles, real suede, two zippers to allow for varying calf sizes (this would work well for skirts *and* jeans).

http://piperlime.gap.com/brows.....=702370002

Note: I think the circumference listed is incorrect, because I tried these on, and they were a wee bit loose on my calves, with both zippers zipped up. Incredibly comfy!

14 years ago

goodlady11

Active Member

Lee I am with you on that frustration there my girly! Me being 4'11 and my calves are above 15.5 inches in which it is 40 cms, I see it is pretty difficult for my height as well! The boots I have to buy are exactly 41 inches in which that is 16.14 around! I donot understand myself what they considered wide calves when some of us have it so much larger than that!

12 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Are you shopping for wide calf boots now? Start a new conversation! These topics are all over a year old.

12 years ago

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