Altering boots for big calves? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Altering boots for big calves?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Working out has given me calves of knotted steel and now some of my boots won't zip! I'm thinking of taking a pair to my cobbler and seeing if he can add a triangular elastic strip by the zipper to add a width around the calf Has anyone done this, or have any other solution (except buying new boots)? Thanks!

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Thistle

Kristin SF

Veteran

Watching this thread with great interest. The same has happened to me.

It does seem pretty doable to add an extra gusset, I just haven't had the time to check in with my local cobbler yet.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting. I'd like to know too.

Kristin SF

Veteran

Feeling crafty?
http://www.sewafineseam.com/20.....all-boots/

J/K, I would never do this, I would only trust a professional. However, this seems to say that's it's very doable for the pros!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yikes, I should try on my tall boots. I think cycling has made more changes in my legs than running did, strangely enough. Watching this thread with interest...

Style Fan

Veteran

This happened to me! I developed very muscular calves from running and my boots were very tight. Someone recommended a cobbler and he measured the amount needed to make my boots more comfortable. He put dark brown elastic in as a gusset to match the dark brown suede. Viola! They fit. Looked great. He did an excellent job. Apparently, he did this frequently.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Are they leather? Could you try simply having them stretched? Good leather can often stretch an alarming amount.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I also wonder if the boot could be stretched a bit.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I guess the best bet is to take them to my shoe guy and see.

I am finding the downside of working out is that sometimes I may be fit, but my clothes don't.

KikiG

Veteran

Did you try the scrunch method? Scrunch them down below your calf and zip them--it may take it bit of manipulation to do this. Then pull them up like socks.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I know for a fact boots can be altered. I had a pair taken in once upon a time, and the wide-calf boot site that I occasionally scope out always says that their largest sizes can be enlarged still further by a cobbler. Don't ask me how they do it, but do it they can. I hope one can help you out, Ironkurtin!

AviaMariah

Veteran

This is something I've never tried but I should as I have a real problem finding tall boots to fit my calved. I'll be interested to see if you have luck with this.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I just got boots stretched! It was a total craven impulse buy: I found cognac frye dorados in my size 1/2 off (so $250 instead of $500) and I slipped them over my bare legs and it was immediate lurve... hearts... flowers... walking on air... And I got home & realized hells bells it's TIGHT in here. Where will the jeans go??? Urp... So my cobbler stretched 'em, and stretched 'em and stretched 'em some more -- 15 days in all -- and now they fit almost perfectly. He says the last bit will stretch with wear, so I when I put them on I do a few deep knee bends. If you can get them on a cobbler can get you some more wriggle room; he told me it's more problematic if you can't get into them. There's a limit to how much they can stretch. It was cheap too... maybe $12.00??

Laurinda

Veteran

Boot bands are a panel that zips into the boot, providing a gusset for more width. I have no experience with these, but they sound like a good idea.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Style Fan

Veteran

My boots were lined with wool (or something like that for warmth) so stretching was not an option. I hope you find a solution.

abc

Veteran

Omg those boot bands look like they could save my life. Or at least open up a ton of opportunities to fit boots that won't zip up (embarrassing in the shoe dept!)

trix

I took the stretching route for my dressy boots, though still find them snug. I don't remember how much you're supposed to be able to add to the circumference, but I imagine that if you fit into those boots pre-exercise, stretching might add enough room for you now, no? (Rightly or wrongly, I'm thinking exercise can't add *that* much in circumference. Maybe because I've never done enough to find out... )

MovingFashionForward

I had the same problem when I bought my Aviat riding boots. Apparently that is to be expected when buying riding boots. They told me to wet the inside of the boots where they are too tight and wear them for a few minutes zipped up as far as possible, then take a break, then repeat, and that they would stretch. I found it difficult to believe but it did work. Then when I bought some amazing high heel boots that would not zip up, I did the same thing with those and it worked for those too.

If your boots have a non-stretchy lining, your cobbler could make a cut and add elastic behind the cut, or you could have the cobbler add leather if a little slit and elastic won't cut it. But in the absence of a non-stretchy lining I'd definitely go the stretching route rather than adding leather or elastic+slit.

Good luck!

Sarah

Glory

Veteran

I had my frye veronica boots stretched adding about 1 inch. It took about 3 weeks on the "rack". It might be worth trying or at least talking to he shoe repair and asking if it is possible. I paid $25 - in Canada for it to be done.

Thistle

Veteran

I had my cobbler look at a pair of boots I had, and he said stretching wouldn't work with them without removing the lining. Leather stretches well, but sometimes the linings do not. (In this case, the lining was shearling).

I do know cobblers can put gussets in. Before talking to him, though, you really need to know how many extra inches you need. It might be a question of stretching and gusseting, rather than one or the other.

Or, the difference might be too great if you have really muscular calves and didn't before. And finding boots that fit muscular calves but slim ankles is very hard!