Boot question for petites (or wide calves)

modgrl

I always thought I had exceedingly wide calves, but it turns out that the widest part of my calves just starts lower than most people's because I am 5' tall.

Have any petites had luck with Frye's or other tall boots for tucking?
Anyone else have luck with wide calf boots?

I am looking for a casual style like the Veronica slouch:
http://www.zappos.com/frye-ver.....full-grain

Many of the wide calf boots I have found have a much more formal look or an elastic gore which does not appeal to me. Any help would be appreciated!

14 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from modgrl

MsMary

Veteran

I'm a petite and have two pair of Frye Rory's. They're sold as scrunch boots, but I wear 'em pulled all the way up and love them! They seem plenty roomy in the calf and I wear them with skinnies all the time. They don't have a ton of sizes or colors left, but you might want to check them out: http://www.zappos.com/frye-ror.....ge-leather

14 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I have very wide calves (16") and I tried the Frye Veronicas on. I loved them! On my big calves, they were not all that slouchy, but I could get them over skinny jeans. They looked great. I have somewhat shorter legs, and I did think they were a tad shorter than I might like - maybe a few inches below my knee - definitely not knee high. I prefer a slightly higher boot to give me more of an elongated look, but they were really nice boots - the Frye quality is amazing.

I also have the Frye Rory. It is a very, very, slim boot, and I can not tuck anything into it. I can not get it over jeans at all. I can wear it scrunched, or I can wear it with very thin tights - but I have to huff and puff and struggle to pull it up over my calves (and it feels very tight.) It's a gorgeous boot - but does not work for me as a tucking boot.

For tucking boots, I've had really good luck with many of the Clarks boots this year. They tend to be wider. I almost bought "Lyme Grass" but I live in SoCal, and need to think about warm weather shoes.

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I have 15.5" calves and have never bought a pair of wide calf boots because of my ankles, which are only 7.75". The ankles on wide calf boots are enormous for me! It takes a little trying, but finding regular boots that fit are possible. If you like the look, lace-up boots are a great option because they are really adjustable all the way down - I have these (which are no longer available): http://www.endless.com/Miz-Moo.....B002B2B6CG
They are great because I can lace them up really tight at the ankle and much looser at my calf.

PS- the veronicas are on my wish list, just waiting a good price. They are more like mid calf length on me though (I am 5'3.5" but have long legs).

14 years ago

Becky

Veteran

I have the same issue -- petite height (5') but muscular calves. I have tried wide calf sizes, but they are always *too* wide, plus I don't need the extra width at the ankle. What I have found works is to really focus on the shaft height. 15" and even 14" shaft heights are too high for me; thus, the widest part of my calf falls below the widest part of the boot. I look for boots with a shaft height of 12.5 to 13.5" and then try them on to see how they work. I don't know that I can really recommend brands, since I only have one pair of tall boots (I am also limited by needing extra wide shoe widths), but the boots I have are Trotters.

14 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

What Becky said. I am 5'1", and the widest part of my calf if often much lower than the widest part of a knee boot. Also, the shaft often comes up too close to my knee and doesn't look right. I bet you have the same issue! If you get the calf height right, there is a good chance the calf width will fit too. If not, good quality leather boots can be stretched, often by (surprisingly!) a good inch or two. Most stores that sell pricey footwear will also have the gear to stretch your boots for you, and the sales assistant should be able to tell you if a particular boot can be stretched. Of course you have to pay for them first, so there's no going back!

Or, like Diana said, lace-up boots are an option, if you like the look.

14 years ago

Lisa K

(website)

Active Member

I'm 5'3", shorter legs and wide calves. I own a pair of Frye Paige tall boots and have had luck with tucking my skinnies into them.

14 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I'm 5'3" and have the Rory Scrunch too but tend to wear them more with dresses/skirts. For tucking, I look for zippered boots with a shaft height of around 13.5"-14". I have a pair by Wanted, White Mountain and several MizMooz. I haven't measured recently but my calves used to measure around 13.5".

14 years ago

sweety08

Active Member

I am 4'11 shorter than all of you ladies! Yeah I am little shortie lol! My calves measures around 41-42 inches! I have big calves for such a short girl and I used to shop at payless and find my boots! I know it is cheap brands boots, but they work fine for me, I have been having them for awhile now! Because I never shop very expensive to find my boots, but I heard the expensive ones is hard to find in my size around the calves rather than the cheap brands! So I guess it all depends what store you shop at to me!

14 years ago

bran888

Active Member

Hi Modgirl, I'm about your height and have the same issues with some knee high boots. Aerosoles has boots with a second zipper so that when it's unzipped, the boot is wider. I like those because depending on my weight, or if I'm wearing the boots on bare legs or over jeans, I can use the flexibility to wear them wider or narrower.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Rita, you are after boots with a SHORTER SHAFT. That's the key for petites.

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Angie, thank you so much for chiming in! This post is old and my boot dilemma is resolved. You are completely right. I found Target Kachiri boots that were 14" high and they are a perfect flattering height.

After that I got JCrew boots and Hunter "Youth" rain boots that were similar height and perfect for me. I think I'm set for this winter. If I was still looking I would try the Aquatalia Undy this year. They look like totally fab boots.

14 years ago

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