Ask Angie: Any Ideas for Boots for Me?

Okay, this is sort of a long post, so I don't know if you'll have the patience, but I thought I'd ask :). I have searched in vain for tall black boots--this is my second year of looking. I have to restrict myself to online shopping, because there are no decent shoe shops in my area. I am looking for black leather, 2- 2 1/2-inch heel (either wedge or chunky), sleek design, not too many bells and whistles, not explicitly Western. I will go up to $400 (gulp). Here's an example of a gorgeous boot that looks like it meets my criteria, but it's too pricey:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/31.....tback=1216

My calves aren't too challenging (about 14-14.5 inches), but I wear a size 11, so it seems like even if the description of the boot says 14.5-15 inch calves, the measurements are taken on a size 8 or so, and the calf size increases as the shoe size increases. I have tried these three pairs in the last few months, to no avail:

1. Frye Tall Jane OTK:

http://www.zappos.com/product/7594565/color/109710

These were laughably not OTK on me: uncuffed they covered about an inch of the bottom portion of my knees. They flared out weirdly since they weren't covering my knees; cuffed they didn't look good either.

2. Cordani Victory:

http://www.zappos.com/cordani-victory-black-calf

These fit beautifully snug in the calf and were the right height on my leg, but the heel was a bit too high, and they were way too big through the ankle and lower leg. So big that the leather actually made a crumpling sound when I walked.

3. Frye Missy:

http://www.endless.com/FRYE-Wo.....%27s+boots

Very big through the calf.

If you've made it this far, any ideas for me? Thank you!

15 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I recall Sveta shops at a shoe store that specializes in larger size shoes and boots. Perhaps they have a website? I hope Angie chimes in and can get you sorted. You deserve a sleek, black pair of boots!

ticksgirl

Active Member

Jonesy, thank you so much for posting this! I was contemplating making a similar post myself, and you and I have similar requirements (though I do have skinny calf issues). I never considered the possibility of the shaft size increasing with the foot size--I wear a 10, so that must be part of my problem too.

Jonesy

Thanks for the moral support, Kelly! I think you are referring to the Long Tall Sally website as the place where Sveta got her boots? They have a decent selection, but nothing that meets my criteria.

Yes, TG, both the shaft height and the calf circumference gets bigger as the boot gets bigger, generally speaking. You can see this in action with the J. Crew boots, since the J. Crew website offers the measurements for all of their boots, at every size. For example, I was all ready to pull the trigger on these Miller mid-heel boots, but then I saw that the size 11 boots have a calf circumference of 15 9/16 inches, vs. the 14 9/16 for the size 8:

http://www.jcrew.com/sizechart.....eChart=1,4

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There's this pair which is KILLER, comfortable, and in your size, but sans the heel:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....tback=1967

Its the heel height and shape that's the hard part here Jonesy

Thanks for the reply, Angie! I have looked at those particular boots more than once--I love the shape and the leather looks beautiful, and I had a pair of Via Spiga boots a long time ago that were great, but I am stuck on finding a 2-inch heel...I want to wear them with skirts and dresses primarily, and I just prefer a bit of a heel for that. It seems that most boots are either a riding style boot with a 1-inch heel, or sleek styles but with 3-4 inch heels :(.

I will be at a mall with a Nordstrom next week; maybe I will try on a bunch of boots and see what I can come up with. I might fall in love with a 1-inch heel pair. Who knows? Maybe the Boots Fairy will be with me that day and I will luck out!

I think you should try these boots with skirts and dresses anyway. I was with a client today who was wearing them and she literally stopped traffic - at the age of 70!!!

Nordies carries size 11 very frequently. Not a problem. But that blasted much coveted 2-inch stable heel is impossible to find at the moment, unless it's on cowboy boots.

I will give it a shot! The fact that they're on sale is great too. Thank you for your wise counsel :).

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