https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:21:10 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443883 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:21:58 +0000 rae 443883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah interesting about those curved footbeds! That must really make a difference... I just measured, and my "flat" boots actually have 1-1.5-inch heels, but none curve upward like yours do. Now, if only the mystery of the stumpy legs could be solved! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443852 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:41:10 +0000 Aida 443852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, for flat boots I've found that if they have a wee bit of heel (even if it's just the 1" stacked heel), NO platform, and a very curved footbed (like, the toe part curves upwards) it makes a HUGE different for my arches. If I have extra room in my bag when I pack for this weekend I'll bring a flat pair that I wouldn't have expected to be comfortable with my high arches/instep but actually is very comfortable to show you.</p> <p>(Oh wait, I have photos! Check the 2 flat brown pairs in #1; the one on the right is VERY comfortable, but you can see it's almost curved like a pump. Same with the black pair on the far right in #2. The 2 flat pairs with a shallower curve are comfortable, but not AS comfortable.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443620 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:59:43 +0000 Arya 443620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is such a timely discussion for me, as I've been trying on various knee-high boots with my skinnies. I have the challenge of athletic calves, for which I need a "wide-leg" shaft. Once I finally found a pair that I could zip up all the way, I felt like they really made my legs look short. I sort of color-blocked (they were brown boots with my dark-wash skinnies) in an unflattering way. My Fryes, however, which are calf-height and a lighter brown, look awesome with my skinnies.</p> <p>I'll just keep trying more on and see if I can come up with a rule of thumb for myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443567 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:45:59 +0000 Angie 443567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like your thinking, Rae. </p> <p>*Of course*, I want your feet to be happy. So no flat boots for you if they hurt in any way. Just wanted to reassure you that you'd look great in the right pair of flat knee-high boots </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443563 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:41:00 +0000 rae 443563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try not to wear flats any longer, because they are uncomfortable. But hubs actually prefers flat sneakers and sandals to heels. He tolerates my heels because of my poor arches. I can't wrap my brain around it, either. It's possible that I was not choosing the correct height for my leg. Might be fun to do a flat boot study when I hit the shops this weekend! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443535 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:00:18 +0000 Angie 443535@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That might be because he is used to seeing you in heeled boots You don't wear flats, do you? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443369 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:11:26 +0000 rae 443369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, that's interesting... In all my boot collection, I don't own *any* flat, knee-high boots, because every pair I've ever tried on have made hubs comment on how short my legs look - I didn't even have to ask for his opinion. He'd stroll into the den where I was pulling them on exclaim how horrible they were... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-443361 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:56:01 +0000 Aziraphale 443361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for replying, Angie. It sounds like this is one of those things that seems like it should have a simple explanation, but on closer examination it doesn't. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-440519 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:13:54 +0000 Angie 440519@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elisabeth, it depends on the contrast between your leg and the boots too, AND what you are wearing, PLUS the shape of your leg and heels factor into the equation too. Many variables :)</p> <p>Rae, you don't look short legged in flat knee-high boots - that I can assure you! And are you comparing heeled mid calf boots to flat knee-high boots? </p> <p>More often than not, knee-high boots, flat or heeled are more leg lengthening because they visually extend the lower leg with coverage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-440495 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:18:50 +0000 Aziraphale 440495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hm. Interesting and insightful answers, ladies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-440333 Sun, 09 Oct 2011 07:38:34 +0000 Ves 440333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with those who say the shape of your leg is what really influences it, followed by the shape of the boot. I actually find that I look very stumpy in most knee high boots because I have a muscle that juts out right above the knee and due to my short legs, makes me kinda look like I'm playing dress up in really tall boots. Under my knee, I am more slender and I look better when I highlight this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439998 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:01:37 +0000 Shu 439998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe your eye is drawn to the length of the boot rather than your leg, so the longer ones look more lengethening to your eye? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439727 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:36:19 +0000 rae 439727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fruitful is right; it depends on your legs and the boot in question. I cannot wear flat, knee-high boots, because they shorten my legs horribly. Mid-calf is better, but they still probably shouldn't end right at the widest point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439716 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:25:35 +0000 Fruitful 439716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't find this to always be true. It depends on the shape of your leg and the shape of the shaft, and the heel. You really have to try them on and see. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439715 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:23:54 +0000 Aziraphale 439715@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>bran888, that's a good idea, but it can't be right, at least for me...because I have a few pairs of mid-calf boots that stop at the WIDEST part of my calf and they look great. It's the ones that end just below my calf muscle that are leg shortening. And anyway, if I wear matching hose, shouldn't that negate the leg-shortening properties of the boots? </p> <p>It really bugs me that I can't figure this out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439708 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:19:47 +0000 bran888 439708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's because for most people, your mid calf is the largest part of your (lower) leg...so if a boot ends at the largest part instead of at the smallest part (at your knee), then it's going to make your leg look wider and therefore shorter? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439704 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:14:09 +0000 Aziraphale 439704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Claire, that would be my guess too. But, WHY does it work? Why is it not stumpifying if there's already a natural break at the knee? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439703 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:12:48 +0000 Anonymous 439703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok I'm going to take a wild guess at this one. I think it's because there is already a natural break at your knee, so a boot ending there is not adding an extra horizontal line. Anybody else? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ask-angie-why-are-mid-calf-boots-stumpifying-and-knee-boots-not#post-439701 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 23:10:34 +0000 Aziraphale 439701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This question is for anybody...just curious about the science/optical illusion aspect of this phenomenon. </p> <p>Here's the thing. I have a pair of white, flat knee boots that I wear all the time with high-contrast hose and a short skirt, and I don't feel like it stumpifies my legs. I also have a pair of flat brown boots that end just below my calf muscle, and I love them, but they are a bit leg-shortening even with low-contrast hose. Why is this? Does a boot not create a horizontal line on your leg no matter where it ends? </p>