Boots for skinny calves redux - YouLookFab Forum

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Boots for skinny calves redux

Parsley

Veteran

I know this has come up again and again, but does anyone have any leads on current boot styles for skinny calves?

My current black riding boots are on their last legs. (That sounds a little funny! ) I'm looking for a pair of fairly classic black riding boots with a low heel. I wear a 9 1/2, and my calves are 13". Maybe 13" isn't that small, but somehow boot manufacturers seem to think that as feet get bigger, so do calves. WRONG!

The ones that seem to fit the best are the ones that are leather in the front and stretchy material in the back, but unfortunately I have my heart set on all leather. I'm not opposed to a strip of elastic goring, though.

Theoretically trying them on in person would be best, but so far I have struck out at my local stores, so now I'm looking online. Sadly, I find that the measurements included on websites are not very reliable at all.

I just ordered a SLEW of boots to try- on sale from Amazon. My UPS driver is going to hate me on Tuesday when he delivers a mountain of boxes! But I don't have high hopes for them, so I welcome any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Thistle

Veteran

I would try Aquatalia and La Canadienne. I know other fabbers have commented that those work well for smaller calves. I know I can't come close to zipping either, so . . .

catgirl

Veteran

Are you specifically looking for black? And what kind of hardware? My GIdigios fit well because of the buckles - I can adjust them as needed (and my calves are 12.5"!).

kkards

Veteran

Cole Haan..... These are not a classic riding boot, but the have buckles that allow you to adjust the shaft
http://www.6pm.com/cole-haan-a.....boot-black

These also have a buckle to allow you to adjust. & the price is great
http://www.6pm.com/charles-by-.....sims_sdp_1

I have had good fits with cole Haan & Stuart Weizmann, but I wear a 6 & I'm not sure what happens as the go up in size.

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions!
Thistle, I did order a pair of Aquatalias- crossing my fingers!
Una- yes, I want black. I have some cognac ones that aren't too bad. I love your Gidigios, but right now I'm looking for something more classic. Some hardware is a plus, but not too much.
Kkards- I did look at those first Cole Haans, but only the front part is leather, so I ruled them out.
I was going to give those Charles David ones a try, but my size is sold out.

minimalist

Veteran

Fluevog sometimes has non-Fluevog-looking riding boots, and the shafts stay very narrow even in big foot sizes. I have these in black:
http://www.amazon.com/John-Flu.....004X0RVE6/
and had the shafts stretched to fit my average calves. Love how narrowly fitted the ankle is.
Other models have a bit of hardware or other accent; these are pretty sleek.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think my calves are about the same as yours Parsley and I wear an 8.5. I just got a pair of Sam Edelman Loren in black. They are a touch taller than many boots and only a half zip but I really like them and find them a pretty good fit on the calves. I can fit a pair of jeans in them but they aren't too baggy looking with a dress.

I wore them on Friday with a dress and posted a WIW.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sa.....ot/3296464

Parsley

Veteran

Amy, I love those Fluevogs! If I can chase down a pair of black ones in my size I will absolutely try them! So far no luck , though.

Dianthus- those Sam Edelmans are good looking! The heel is a little higher than I'm looking for, but I'll keep them in mind.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I was a bit concerned about the heel height too. I have been having pain in my left foot when I wear anything over 2" but I wore these all day and no pain at all. They look and feel lower than what the description says. If you run out of other options, they might be worth a try.

Parsley

Veteran

That's good to know, Dianthus!
I want some that I can walk for miles in, so if you can wear them all day without pain that's a good sign!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have a 13 inch calf too Parsley, and as far as boot circumferences go - it's a mare, and too narrow to fit 99% of knee-high boots.

I boot shop with my clients 6 months of the year, and if you're regular height with a regular width foot and a 14.5 inch calf circumference - you'll fit most knee-high boots straight off the rack.

It seems that boot circumferences are getting wider and wider. It's hard to even find a 14 inch this season.

I have 6 pairs of tall boos - all old because they just don't make them slim fitting anymore. 2 pairs are Docs with laces (20 eyelet), 3 pairs have half elastic insets (Stuart Weitzman and Aquatalia), and one pair is 100% vinyl (my Go Go boots).

I also have a slouchy pair of tall Prada boots that do not need to fit my calf and are a little roomier all round.

My fingers are crossed for you. xo

Tanya

Veteran

As someone with 12'5" calves, I feel your pain. Another option would be Duo boots - if you go to their website you will see that you can order any of their models in any calf circumference.

Gigi

Veteran

I recently bought some boots from La Canadienne, a style called Stefanie. I wear a size 6.5; I would say that the calf was maybe 13.5 or 14 inches. I had them altered to fit my calf (a mere 12 inches), so I don't know what the original measurement was. But they were much slimmer in the calf than other boots I tried. I got them at Macy's; the SA told me that they were the slimmest-fitting boot they had. They are pretty classic looking, without a lot of hardware. Unfortunately, they are pretty spendy: they retail for $385. I got a good deal on mine because there was a sale and I also applied for a store charge card. If it hadn't been for the sale price, I wouldn't have gotten them.

Naturalizer makes several styles of boot in regular *and* wide calf (that is, two calf widths for each style), so maybe one the regular-size versions would be closer to your calf size.

Gigi

Veteran

If you continue to strike out, you might want to contact some boot manufacturers directly and tell them what you're looking for and what your calf circumference is. Perhaps they could recommend something so that you at least have a place to start. It's exhausting doing all that ordering and returning.

Yes, the calf circumferences on websites are often wrong. It is so frustrating!

There is also a blog you could check out. It is by a woman who calls herself Little Contessa, and she has small calves and tries out boots that she think will fit and then gives them a review: http://www.littlecontessa.blogspot.com/.

shemarie

Thanks for reasking this million-dollar question, Parsley! I wear a size 10 with a less than 13" calf, then have the added "bonuses" of a high instep and narrow heel. I've always had the same frustration with boot manufacturers, and for that matter, with clothing designers as well: larger feet do not equal larger calves any more than longer inseams equal larger waist sizes!! Why oh why they never "get" that I can't figure out! With both of those issues, it's a wonder I ever can find anything to wear! I can't wait to hear how your Amazon order turns out and hoping something works for you!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I have given up looking for a pair of tall boots because the calves are too wide. I even tried on a pair of Stuart Weitzman boots with elastic in back, they were way over $500 too. Although they were not loose, they were not tight or even fitted actually. If I wore jeans inside then they might have been fitted. My calves are 12.75". My point being, even these elasticized boots start at 13 or 13.5". Sorry I have no suggestions, this is why I love ankle boots.

Angie that's an interesting point about boot calves getting wider. Although I am sure there is more demand for wide calves, it's not like there are none of us small-calf ladies out there.

BeachBikeGal

Thank you for this discussion. I have small calves and the only tall boots I have are Clark's Indigo from a few years ago. I can only wear them over skinnies due to the width at the top. I will check into some of the brands and styles mentioned. Tall boots are such a nice look but only if the fit is right.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

These won't work for Parsley - they're three-inch heels - but let me recommend the Aquitalia Rhumbas for the skinny-calved. In size 6, they are less than 12 inches in circumference.

Caveat: they're hella expensive. I ordered and returned because I couldn't justify paying that much money for boots that look great but are not comfortable enough to walk to work in. But obviously, some people are better in heels than I am - as three-inch heels go they're pretty comfy.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you ladies.

Denise, clients with 12 inch calves are extremely hard to get tall sleek boots for. Casual is doable when worn over jeans because the jeans scrunch and knee-high socks can be added to fill the gaps so to speak. Slouchy styles are easier because they don't need to fit in a tailored way. And often we just resort to mid-calf heights and bootie styles because we CAN get those to fit. You cannot shop for something that does not exist.

Duo boots do not provide dressy and trendy styles, but they are a great option for a classic riding boot.

It's much easier to find boots to fit my clients with 18 inch calves if they are not petite in height. Lane Bryant does brilliant boots for wider calves, but the shafts are high, which rules out the option for short ladies.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Commiserating here. I am both luckier and less lucky with my borderline narrow calf (13.5) that is also SHORT so doesn't fit many styles.

Another suggestion to try La Canadienne. Pricey. But the styles I got would fit a 13 inch calf. in my size. 6,5. Not sure how wide they get as you size up, however.

Some styles I tried were much too wide, however. So they are not all cut the same.

I cannot wear Naturalizer at all. Too wide in the foot and the calf.