Are there 'tall' sizes in boots?

I spent way too much time today trying on boots @ DSW. I actually found some that were big enough in the calf, but then they would be too short. Most of the boots meant to be to-the-knee hit me ~4 inches below the knee, a rather unflattering length, and would also have the shaping of the back calf wrong - the largest part of the boot would be too low for my largest bit of calf. I found one pair that I think were supposed to be over-the-knee but fell at just at the knee for me, but they looked odd that way since they were higher in the front than in the back.

Does anyone sell tall sizes in boots? I am 5'9" so a little taller than average but not ridiculously so, but apparently my legs are quite long. All I'm looking for is a regular black boot, flat or with a reasonable heel. Sadly I don't have a ton of money to spend, but at least if there's a pricey pair that would work, I could start to save up.

15 years ago

Shopping

8 replies

Latest reply was from Kristen

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Not really, but I have plenty of tall clients who are sorted on boots. You're looking for a longer shaft height - like 16 inches.

15 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I bought some Isola boots online at Nordstrom. They are 17" high and fine for me, but much much too big around the calves and top, so I'm returning them. They say 14" but that must be for size 7.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....ltback=294

There is another Isola heeled boot that is also 17".

15 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, y'all. Is the shaft height measured from the floor or from the ankle? I just measured my lower leg from the floor, and to the bottom of the kneecap it was 20".

Perhaps after Christmas I will do a big Zappos order of anything that looks halfway reasonable, and hope that at least one pair will work.

15 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Shaft height is typically from the middle of the arch of the boot to the top of the shaft. Realistically, there are differing opinions on where exactly the middle of the arch is and thus the differences in shaft height on various shoe websites.

15 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

Also shaft height differs by size typically (the measurements they offer for calf circumference and shaft height are taken on a standard size like an 8, not a 5 or an 11). Just look for taller shafts, like the 16-17 inches that Angie mentions, since you don't want them to come all the way up to the bottom of your knee, but somewhere slightly below them.

15 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all, for the helpful info.

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

FYI- full length Doc Marten boots are high in the shaft. I'm 5ft 7in with fairly long legs and the zip up ones where too tall in the shaft for me. Might be worth a look x

15 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I also have long legs, and I haven't had a problem finding tall boots that work. The trick is to stay away from the calf-height, which is a little tricky in places like DSW because they're mixed in with all the others and usually have the more interesting details so you tend to be more attracted to them. (At least I do.) But that height is just horrible on me; it cuts me off like an inverted capri pant, and I lose the great long quality of my legs. So just be careful that you are not grabbing calf-height boots by mistake.

15 years ago

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