I'm giving up on this relationship - with tall boots that is. (Blondo info) - YouLookFab Forum

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I'm giving up on this relationship - with tall boots that is. (Blondo info)

AviaMariah

Veteran

I was going to respond to Pil's post but thought I'd start a separate post for those wanting more info on the measurements of the Blondo boots. I just received mine in the mail at work today so I threw them on really quick. They zipped up fine (amazing!) but the top band is actually too big around on my leg. I think they are probably hitting too high on my leg for what they were designed. Maybe I'll change my mind when I look in the mirror but I think this is probably going to be a return for me. I am 5'2" and the shaft height on my size 6 is 14 1/2 "measuring from the top the the boot heel.

The number of tall boots I have ordered and returned every summer/fall for the last 5 years is an ongoing joke in our house. My curvy calf combined with my short height has made them almost impossible. Although I did find a pair of black Cole Haan's in suede a few years ago that worked. I hunted down the exact same pair off of ebay in taupe. I was thinking I'd add a pair of waterproof this year if I could but I don't think that's in the cards for me. On to booties!!

Shopping

21 replies

Latest reply was from AviaMariah

Susie

Veteran

I'm right there with you! I too ordered those Blondo's because I really admired them on Shannon last year. Mine arrived yesterday. They zipped and while I would have preferred them to be a bit less snug, it was the height that made me decide to return them. I could feel them at the back of my knee, especially when sitting.

Since I wear pants so much more than dresses and skirts, I think I too am giving up on a new pair of tall boots. Like you, I have a pair in black suede and I think I'm going to let it go at that.

On to booties with you!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Oh, bummer that they didn't work! But don't give up forever - now you know your calf width and ideal height, so it will make looking easier.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Yes Susie - why deal with the frustration when there are so many cute booties! Plus, if I stop looking I'll probably find some. Thanks for the encouragement Rae.

Susie

Veteran

Please post any that you get!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh oh. I think I may be in for the same experience when I try mine. I fully understand your frustrations. What a shame.

Do you know the name of your Cole Haans? I would so be into some serious ebay stalking for a taupe tall boot about now....

I have ordered SO MANY NAS boots to try, it is ridiculous. (The Blondos among them.) But I am not holding my breath for any. Unfortunately, where I live, tall boots are really important and useful, especially since I walk a lot. So I may have to do what Angie suggests in today's blog post and settle. I did that for my last tall boots which are both a smidge too tall and a smidge too wide for my calf.

My calf measurement is actually a smidge narrow (!!) -- I always thought it was wide, because my calves do not appear slender at all and are quite muscular. But because my legs are shorter, the width if the boots is not where it ought to be on me -- and this is what confused me for so long.

Kristin SF

Veteran

I have the EXACT same issue - 5'2", and a VERY athletic calf.

Last year, most of my tall boots went back. I did have success with these:

1. Timberland Rudston - I saw them on Sal on Already Pretty, then also on Rae, and gave them a whirl. Perfect height and calf circumference. Super walkable. Tons of colors if you can find them. Weather-proof as I recall. More casual vibe.

2. Born Treddy and Born Sage - from last year, probably not available any longer, but Born had comfy boots at the perfect height for my smaller stature. A good brand to keep an eye on.

Good luck, and definitely post if you find any keepers! I'm on the hunt for a dressy black boot with no hardware, but shaft height and calf width will be an issue, I know.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Suz - these are the exact ones that I have except I think I paid $200 for mine. They are a little darker IRL - an actual taupe. I can take a pic of mine if that will help. They are also a little taller on me that they should be but with the soft suede, I don't mind. Let me know if I can get you any more info. Mine are a size 6.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cole-H.....1e7d4f7786

Thistle

Veteran

((HUGS)) I know your pain. I understand. Your boot is out there, but you are right not to settle on this!

Anonymous

It sounds like there's a big untapped market out there for petite height boots.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yep - tall boots are right up there on the list of hardest things to find that fit properly.

Ali - that is a fantastic idea! Hello footwear designers...????

shedev

Veteran

I feel your pain too. I have decided that tall boots are more of a want than a need so I'm willing to wait for the right pair. For now, I'm fine with my collection of midcalf boots.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Those are gorgeous, AV! And even though they aren't my size, I can now take a look around in the hope that I can find similar -- or maybe Cole Haan will have a similar boot this year. Thank you so much!

Eliza

Veteran

AviaMariah- sorry the boots didn't work out. Tall boots have so many critical points that it is hard to get them all to align.

In case it helps Suz and others who are considering these boots, I'll weigh in with my experiences with them. My height is mostly in my legs (33" inseam) and I am 5'7".

The Blondos hit me at just the right point, below the knee by enough to look proportional and function well. My calves measure just under 13 inches and my ankles are almost 7 inches. The fit of the leather band around the calves is comfortable with skinnies (even my loose fitting sized up ones) tucked in, leaving no gap there. I suppose they are meant to stretch more, but I can't speak to that as I am not pushing the envelope and they fit comfortably close, but no "muffin top".

The gathered portion of the boots that is meant to stretch behaves more like fabric than leather, making for the most comfortable boot I have ever tried on. The downside of the fabric-like construction is that it reveals wrinkles created by both not filling up the boot completely (my ankles do not use all space) and any folds of the tucked in pants.

I am holding a pair in my regular size and also have a half size up about to be delivered for comparison. While the boot is cushioned, these have a rare comfort potential and I think with an added insole, I could actually hit the pavement for hours, hence the sizing up. I also want room for thicker socks.
I am crossing my fingers that the bigger size doesn't make the ankles look too baggy, because at this point, I am probably willing to ignore a bit of wrinkling in service of boots that I can wear! I also liked the thickness of the rubber sole and the fact that they are waterproof.

Having seen other postings, I am wondering if this boot works better for those with a longer lower leg. I am very happy I tried it.

I also tried the Ecco Hobart, but found the ankle area too stiff for comfort. Many of the other NSA boots were beautiful, but too wide in the calf for me.

Good luck, fellow hunters. It is changing my world to think of having comfortable boots that dress up a little bit. I've kissed a lot of "frogs" and I hope this pair is my princely boot.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes! Petite boots are hard to fit because the shaft height has to be as correct as the calf fit.

There are 5 foot ladies in last year's NAS Blondos - Shannon and Rita - and the shaft height worked really well. The style is slightly different though - without the band on top (it was weave fabrication all the way round). Last year's style also worked on a 16 inch calf. That tiny difference in design has made a big difference in fit.

abc

Veteran

Maybe you knew this was an option, but Duo Boots carries many widths as well as shaft heights, you can basically order your exact measurements. My calf is larger than any standard wide-width calf boot, so my only option for tall boots was Duo. I've been very satisfied with the one pair I own.

Di

(website)

Veteran

I have ridiculous spindley calves, and I've had tall boots taken in, whereas my best friend has curvy calves, and has had some stretched. I don't think either of us could do tall boots without a good cobbler. They're a hard item to fit, I think.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Thanks everyone. Maybe when the cold weather hits I will feel energized to revisit this with Duo boots or a cobbler but for now I'm moving on. I did try the Blondos last year and they were almost ok - just a little too tight. But I was pregnant at the time. They may be perfect now.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I feel you! I'm taking my Blondo's back too. I love the looks, and I could get them to fit over bare calves, but certainly not over pants. This year's model has a lovely 2 inch band of leather at the top, which isn't stretch at all. At 5'6", I found the length perfect. I do have two pairs of tall boots, one rather "gearish" and one rather, well, cheap. I was hoping to upgrade. We'll see! It's still Summer!

Good luck with booties!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Eliza, thanks so much for giving this detailed account. I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens. My ankles are thicker than yours and my calf is slightly wider as well, so perhaps I will get lucky and "fill out" the boot as it is meant to be filled. As for the height -- well, I guess it's hard to say until I try!
My calves are unfortunately the short part of my legs. So I may be looking to Duo soon...

Julie

Veteran

Might not be much help this time of year, but back when I was a lot smaller I had a couple pairs of boots that gapped a bit at the top. When I wore them with skirts or dresses, I added appropriate colour of knee socks, and cuffed them down over the boot tops. No more gap.

Including a picture of what I mean.

Cheers

Julie

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AviaMariah

Veteran

Thanks for the idea Julie. When I got home and tried on and looked at the Blondos on in the mirror, the gap was not nearly as noticeable as it was looking down at the top of the boots. Also, wearing them with leggings took up even more of the gap. I was going to post pics this morning to get some input but forget my cell phone at home. So this weekend I'll get them up and see what everyone thinks. Maybe they'll still be keepers.