Heresy: Do boots really have to fit snugly at the calf?

April

I'm noticing that a number of style bloggers are just wearing their boots as they come, without concern for whether there is a gap at the calf.

Examples:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com.....693a_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com.....4886_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com.....b09a_z.jpg

I know this is not proper fit, but I actually think it looks appealing. Is it their youth and daring that makes this look fine on these ladies? Am I delusional in thinking it looks okay?

Part of my problem is that the boots I have had altered now fit my calf perfectly, but the skinny calf changes the proportion of the boot so that my feet look enormous. This is making me wonder if a gap at the calf might not be so bad...

13 years ago

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Nishaa

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I think there's a happy medium we don't always consider, but maybe we should. I've never been a big believer in the "snug fit" requirement, but there is such a thing as "too gapped" as well. I can't describe to you what the exact ratio is, but I know when I see it. For example, in the photos you posted, I thought the first and third were fine, but the second one was too wide -- and I think only because the boot itself is so detailed the gap draws attention away from that.

Also, if you wear boots with skinnies and with dresses, of course with the dress there will be more gapping since you are not stuffing your pants into the boot. The second picture has pants on and there is still a gap. How much wider will it be when she wears them with just tights?

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I personally don't mind the boot gapping a bit. I think some boots are actually meant for that style. And I don't think youth is necessary for this style. I have a petite friend who is 50 and pulls off this kind of boot with leggings in a way I envy!

13 years ago

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

I think the style of the boot really makes a difference. I think the first one you posted looks okay because it's a little slouchy, but the others look weird to me - kind of like a little kid playing dress up in her mommy's shoes. Slouchy boots seem to work and I think cowboy/engineer style boots work with more gap as well, but sleek boots like the last two you posted really need to be fitted to look right.

Maybe my skinny calf boots make my feet look big, but, really, they *are* big and I don't think anything is going to make them look otherwise.

13 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I can' t believe you brought this up !!! I was JUST about to post the exact same thing !!!! Ironically, I was going to paste the SAME picture from Jessica from whatiwore.tumblr. She rarely seems to wear boots that fit her calves. :

http://whatiwore.tumblr.com/po.....oln-center

I don't know if this is on purpose. I agree that if it is a little slouchy it might be ok. But I am not sure that I like a more tailored boot with a big gap. It looks really weird from the side.

Dusty, I also have big feet and you are sooo right. I have given up worrying about just how big they look .

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

The style definitely makes a difference. The first picture you linked doesn't look that bad to me, but the third looks terrible to my eye, since that style of boot is *meant* to fit close to the calf. To me, it's the difference between an over-sized sweatshirt and an over-sized blazer... the latter just doesn't work.

13 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I personally don't like the look of boots which gape at the top I think they look like they don't fit properly, but I can totally see why people with slimmer than average claves would ignore this for the sake of having boots to wear x

13 years ago

Steph

Veteran

I actually don't mind boots that gap, and I don't think that any of the photos you posted are problematic. As someone with muscular calves, I actually envy women who can wear a boot with a bit of a gap, and I have always liked the look.

13 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Honestly, I think it looks better with no gap, but I do notice on myself depending on how much I exercise my calves are bigger or smaller so to be practical there has got to be some wiggle room.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

After thinking about this, I realized that for me the issue isn't the gapping, but also the height of the boot. I have skinny somewhat bowed calves, and my gapping boots were gapping only to the outside of my calf (like Chloe in #2), not evenly around my leg. Because of that, they looked too tall and ill-fitting. On the other hand, my cognac Fryes have a big gap, but my leg sits centered in them, so it's not as awkward.

So to my eye, a bit of gap that is evenly all the way around the calf is okay, but if it's skewed to one side, then it's off and the boot looks too tall. Chloe is TINY and I think those gorgeous boots are just too tall on her...

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

April, it absolutely depends on the style of the boot. Jessicas boots are slouchy and come up higher on already very tall her- they look great....and fit.

It's when the style of boots are supposed to fit on the calf that they shouldn't gape. Petites tend to have boot height challenges with type of fit too. But over the last few years boot fashion had evolved so much that many on trend styles do not need to fit as snugly on the calf.

I hope that makes sense. These subtle style and fit differences are important to understand.

13 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I actually don't mind a gap.

13 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Oh, I wanted to add that if you feel the narrow calf throws off your foot proportion, maybe buckle details or a slouchy style would help this?

13 years ago

Anonymous

I tried on the pair shown in your third picture at Nordstrom. They had a similar gap around my calves. The sales person helping me told me they were supposed to look like this, since they had a "rainboot fit". I wasn't sure what to make of this.

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

I personally don't mind a little bit of gap. As others said, definitely has a lot to do with the style of both the wearer and the boot. The slouchier the boot, the looser you can get away with; most of my boots have a small gape, and I have a short pair of really slouchy boots with quite a lot of extra room, but my whole style is a bit slouchy so they work well.

Jessica's boots look perfect to me; they're very tall, a little slouchy, and give her otherwise clean look a bit of roughing up without looking sloppy. The second photo you linked would be too gapey with a skirt/dress, but looks OK with pants. Kendi's boots I find just a teeny bit too gapey, but agree it seems to be part of the boot's design; they're a bit slouchy and tall, but I feel like the boot should fit more snugly on the calf OR be taller because otherwise it looks a bit sloppy instead of slouchy-cool. However, when she wears those boots with pants I think they look great, even with the gape.

13 years ago

April

Veteran

Thanks to everyone for your input -- lots of good advice here!

Angie, apart from slouchy styles and cowboy boots, I don't think I know what types of boots are okay to fit more loosely?

13 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

A friend once told me to use the inspiration for the boot as a guide. Riding boots, for example come from horse riding, a sport where it's important to have the boot fit sleek to the leg for a clean line. Motorcycle boots are from an aesthetic that is much more relaxed/alternative, so they don't necessarily have to fit tight to the leg. Combat boots have a split reputation, so they can be laced strictly (a la military requirements) or left undone at the top for a more punk/grunge look. This has been pretty helpful for me, anyway.

13 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I think tailored, sleek boots look terrible when they don't fit. The "huge" feet issue is probably one of those things that only you notice. I'm much more likely to notice when there is room to fit an entire hand in a sleek boot.

Love Rae's advice. Very wise.

13 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

Good idea, rae!

I had just lately decided that the gaping boot looked best on young women - more that they could get away with it and still look cute. Sort of like they can wear cheaper fabrics that wrinkle and don't hang well, and still look cute. Or they can wear no makeup with one of those messy hairstyles and still look cute.

I figured that I was at the point where I needed the extra polish that non-gaping boots added. Even so, I feel I can wear (mildly) gaping boots if the details are right: not too high, a more boho vibe, etc.

I think I'll add rae's thinking into the mix and see how that works for me (and for my people watching).

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rae, you win best forum comment today. That's brilliant insight from your friend.

April, I hope that helps.

It's not a good look when sleek boots gape - to me that's bad fit and bordering on poor style.

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I prefer a snug fit for boots which are designed for a snug fit like riding boots. For botts which have some slouch around them some gaping may be OK.
Rae, I really like your definition - it makes perfect sense!

13 years ago

ashley87

Member

I would say it honestly depends on the type of boots. If its those scrunchy boots then no. But if its those leather boots that you are planning to wear to work or an event then probably; at least if you want them to look good on you... For the past few years I have been going to Leon's Boot Alterations and Shoe Repair. Highly recommended! http://www.bootalterations.com

8 years ago

binkle

Veteran

Don't mind or even really notice a gap (as in "wow that's a gap."). I personally would have to look long and hard for a "perfect" fit in foot, ankle and calf.

8 years ago

Laura

Active Member

Interesting post! Regarding the gap at the top of the shaft, I do agree, it all depends on the style of boot. If it is a western cowgirl boot, a large cap at the top of the shaft is common. On the other hand, a dressy boot that one wears to the office usually is a lot more snug.

Another thing about the gap is, if I purchase a pair of boots and the gap looks too big, I just wear a pair of long thick socks and that gap goes away instantly

8 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

Amazing insight Rae.

I always thought that boots are supposed to fit snug (or as close as possible depending on style) because they are there to provide warmth. Won't gaps cause air drafts and so on and so forth? Mostly ok with jeans but with skirts/dresses and not so warm leggings, wouldn't you wants snug fit?

8 years ago

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