YouLookFab Forum » Topic: when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 20 May 2026 10:43:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php bj1111 on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214690 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 01:13:07 +0000 bj1111 214690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ yup, i'm partial to shaped boots that follow the curve of my leg. i have problems finding them where my calf curve and the boot's calf curve match. usually, the boot's curve starts a few inches lower than mine and end where mine end, suggesting the boot was made for a taller woman, or a woman with longer calves/legs than i have. Anonymous on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214636 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:50:48 +0000 Anonymous 214636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ About 66% passing rate for me April I only have 3 pairs of good boots at the moment! April on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214633 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:40:30 +0000 April 214633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Zap, that is exactly what happened to me when I learned how boots were supposed to fit. (Only you may have some that actually do fit you correctly -- I didn't.) Huge gaps all around, the kind you could shove two hands down inside. I didn't realize you had a choice with boots -- I thought they just were what they were and gaps were part of the deal. It's one of those things I almost wish I hadn't learned. Anonymous on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214626 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:18:00 +0000 Anonymous 214626@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ah ok... I see what you are referring to now. If the boot "lacks definition" at the ankles & calf, it's OK to have a little room. A more "shaped" boot needs to be closer to the leg. I honestly was a tad confused after seeing so many posts about calf size etc. I started questioning how my boots fit and started panicking a little.... Sort of like oh..sh*t, I guess my boots are all wrong :( Rereading my post, I see that my choice of words was not really the best. Thank you for taking the time to explain. Kate, I'm really sorry about the threadjack. I still like the boots with jeans though! Elly on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214625 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:04:32 +0000 Elly 214625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't think that there really is a "painted on" aesthetic here. I believe there are some boot styles that look right with some room about the calves-- slouch and straight shaft boots(like frye campus) are two of these (also, rainboots). However, I thought that this particular pair looked off because they have a very pronounced curve in the shaft-- they are made to fit someone with small ankles and larger calves. These type of boots that have a lot of curve built into to side profile look best when they are not really loose around the calf. However, I don't think a pair that fits tight with skinnies would look off with a skirt. It is only if they have lots of room with skinnies that they might look off. These seem off because with bare legs it looks as if she has about an inch of extra room in the back and maybe half an inch in the front. Anonymous on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214623 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 22:53:19 +0000 Anonymous 214623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I came to check this post to see the fit on you boots. I will have to differ. Although I agree they might (might) be too big for skirts, I don't know, I think they look just fine with jeans. You have to consider that you don't have any tights on. Is this "painted on look" - for lack of better terms, an YLF aesthetic? I'm just curious. I see a lot of beautiful, stylish women walking all over the place sporting boots with this fit. I actually think this fit is much more flattering than a tighter one. Kate on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214577 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:54:25 +0000 Kate 214577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Went to the cobbler, turns out he can't narrow boots unless they have a zipper along the whole side of the boot. Full post here: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-my-cobbler-said-about-narrowing-the-shaft-of-boots" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-of-boots</a> Kate on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214276 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 04:35:45 +0000 Kate 214276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ C1, that sounds awesome! Do you have any pictures? Also, so that I can brace myself, does anyone know about how much the cobbler will charge to alter the shaft? crazyone on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214243 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 03:27:42 +0000 crazyone 214243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I bought a pair of boots kind of like this one and took it to the cobbler. The great thing is that there was a small stretch panel built into the boots, so when he narrowed the shaft, he made it so that it was tight over my bare/stocking-ed leg, but because of the elastic panel, it's also snug over skinny jeans, too! stylemama on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214233 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 03:11:19 +0000 stylemama 214233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I feel your pain, Kate. I've got the skinny calf thing going on too. Gave up on boots last year and have begun my search this year. I'll post if I find anything. Sveta on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214183 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 02:13:30 +0000 Sveta 214183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have nothing new to add here but wanted to issue my sympathy with the boot hunt! Michelle on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214178 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 02:07:04 +0000 Michelle 214178@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kate, I loudly applaud the decision to go to a cobbler to see if it can be taken in! I had that done to a pair of my boots once and the result was a perfect fit. Give it a shot!! crwilson on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214142 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:18:08 +0000 crwilson 214142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I feel your pain. It's so, so, so frustrating. But I agree with everyone else - don't settle. Every time you wear a boot that doesn't quite fit, you'll feel a bit off and not fab. That said, I sometimes wonder if that's really true because, at least for me, not settling means that I have no boots at all. bj1111 on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214118 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:20:04 +0000 bj1111 214118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ don't settle. you're worth more than ill-fitting boots. Megan on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214104 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:52:00 +0000 Megan 214104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also think they are too big Kate...sorry If you really love them, would it be worth taking them to a cobbler to see how much they could be taken in? chewyspaghetti on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214103 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:52:00 +0000 chewyspaghetti 214103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Before you return then- take them to a cobbler and see if they can be taken it. Kate on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214101 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:50:48 +0000 Kate 214101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ugh, why can't they just fit? I might stop by the cobbler tomorrow to see if he could make them narrower (and how much it would cost). I'm guessing it wouldn't be that hard since they have plenty of seams along the shaft of the boot... I don't want to think about how many more hours I'm going to spend looking for boots that are just like this, but with a skinnier calf. quail on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214095 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:41:45 +0000 quail 214095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have to defer to the collective wisdom here and say they are too big on your dainty calves. I have the same problem so I understand completely. When I finally found the Holy Grail I could have cried. Keep looking, there's an even better pair out there waiting for you! Lori on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214092 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:40:15 +0000 Lori 214092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ They are beautiful Kate, but unfortunately, I think they are too wide to wear with skirts/dresses. OTOH, they look great with your tucked in jeans. BTW, they were one of the pair on my radar when I chose the Miz Mooz, but I needed to have more a heel. Marley on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214090 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:35:01 +0000 Marley 214090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Bummer Kate - I don't think they are working! Just too big! Don't settle - I'm sure you can find some that fit better! Maya on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214088 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:27:22 +0000 Maya 214088@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also think they are too big. Sorry If Taylor and her 10 inch puppies can find boots, I know you can too. Persevere! It will be worth it. Nothing stinks morethsn settling and then finding exactly what you want later. KristineK on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214084 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:23:05 +0000 KristineK 214084@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Are you more likely to wear them with jeans than with skirts/dresses? I think they look good with your jeans, I couldn't detect much gapping in those pictures at all. I think that maybe they're a bit too roomy to wear without jeans/leggings, though. I know how difficult it can be to find a pair of cute boots that fit even "well enough," so my inclination would be to keep them if you really, really like them and if you have enough jeans/leggings options to pair with them. Elly on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214083 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:21:30 +0000 Elly 214083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Me thinks that they look to big-- sorry! Pretty color though, and just a bit with the jeans. Kate on "when is it ok to settle for boots that aren't narrow enough?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/when-is-it-ok-to-settle-for-boots-that-arent-narrow-enough#post-214078 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:14:32 +0000 Kate 214078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I bought these boots on endless (25% off) <a href="http://www.endless.com/indigo-Clarks-Womens-Proctor-Boot/dp/B0037HQ75A" rel="nofollow">http://www.endless.com/indigo-.....B0037HQ75A</a>, and they just arrived. I LOVE the color, cut, style, and my feet are happy. But the calf is a smidgen too wide, I think. It's definitely too wide without jeans, and even with skinnies it could be a bit narrower in the calf. What do you think? Good enough, or continue on this wild hunt.