Boots: The agony and the ecstasy of narrow calves

I was going to title this post "The Agony of the Feet", but my UPS man came today and the story has a happy ending!

I've been searching for some black knee-high boots that fit my scrawny calves, and I've been having a terrible time finding any.
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....lves-redux

With Amazon's 25% off boot sale going on, I placed an order for nine pairs, and they were delivered a couple of days ago. I only ordered ones that claimed to be for narrow calves, listed a narrow calf measurement, and had lots of complaints in the reviews about the calves being too narrow.

Every single one of them was so big that even over jeans I could fit my entire hand inside the boot next to my calf! ARRGH!

It looked like my only option was to order from DuoBoots (custom calf sizes), which made me nervous because they're in England and I was worried about them also fitting my narrow feet, and returns being more difficult.

Then I found The Little Contessa - a blog dedicated to finding narrow calf boots, and she reviewed a boot made by Gee Wawa, a brand I'd never heard of before, and they were on sale! So of course I ordered them.

I also checked one last time on Nordstrom.com and found one pair that claimed a calf measurement of 13". Unheard of! They were crazy expensive, but what the heck!

Well, they arrived today, and BOTH pairs FIT!! I'm astounded!
Both of them are a little shorter than a lot of knee-high boots, which works well on my leg shape, and both of them fit without any gaping at all on my leg.

The Gee Wawas have a pointed toe, which I like, and lace up the back, which was not something I was looking for, but it makes them somewhat adjustable. I would tuck the extra laces in at the top for a sleeker look. They have a leather sole- not so good for bad weather, and they seem to be pretty well made, and nice leather. They were marked down to $88 from $220!
(There are only a few left- they have black, brown, or beige. If you're a size 7 you could be in luck!)

The second ones are by Alberto Fermani, and they are lovely! The leather is soft as butter, they're leather lined, and have a nice tread on the sole for winter weather. They were more than I've ever paid for a pair of boots, but they are so perfect I think they're worth it.

Anyway, I'm leaning toward keeping both, and then I won't have to look for boots again for a while! If I cost average, their total is about what I'd expect to pay for 2 pairs of nice boots. How's that for rationalizing!

What do you think? Does the height look OK to you?

1-4 The Gee Wawas.
5- The Fermani on my right foot, the Gee Wawa on my left.
6- Fermani side view

7- The mountain of boxes from my Amazon order- all went back.

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12 years ago

lynn

Veteran

I LOVE the Fermanis! I like the other ones too but I wonder if you will tire of the ties? I would probably keep the Fermanis and spend the $88 on a new sweater! Just me though. Good finds!

Eliza

Those are 2 great looking pairs of boots. The difference in the soles may lend a slightly different function to each. I am at the point with shoes that opportunistic shopping makes sense. Very hard to keep the feet happy, never mind the ankles and calves, as boots require.

If you wear boots often and almost none work, buying both may make sense. I think we took the same math course!

Caro in Oz

Keep both imo

kkards

thanks for sharing picture #7! zappos makes it so easy

i must say that i am surprised at how much i like the Gee Wawas. before i looked at your pictures, i clicked thru to the website, and i wasn't really impressed. but then i got around to looking at your pictures, and WOW, i really like them on! they look great. i also like the Fermani's, so i would do the girl math and keep them both.

Transcona Shannon

Love the sleekness of the Fermanis. Beautiful looking style and fit. I couldn't help but laugh at the outdoor box pic!

Susie

Yep, keep both! I agree that they can serve different purposes and given your struggle for a good fit, I think it is definitely worth it, especially to get that good average price

Suz

(website)

Wow, they are both gorgeous! And guess what? I ordered the Gee Wawas to try in beige! I want a bookending boot for my hair -- and have had a heck of a time in the search. These may or may not work, but I am crossing fingers! Thank you for the tip!

Kristin SF

Great finds! I agree, if it's so difficult to find boots that fit, then you *must* keep any and all pairs when you meet with success!

Take those Gee Wawas to your cobbler and have him put soles on them (like maybe a Vibram sole), asap!

Love the pics of the boxes at your door. DH doesn't understand that a lot of what comes in, also goes back. I think he would have had a heart attack at that sight!

Parsley

Yay, Suz- I hope they work! If they had my size I think I would have ordered another color, too.

Kristin- good idea about the VIbram soles!

I Luv Purses

Active Member

The boots look great on you! You should keep both since you have such a hard time finding a good fit. I like the lace-up detail on the back of the Gee Wawas.

deb

Glad you found something that fits. The boot blog is a great find and thanks for supplying the link. I like the toe of the Gee Wawas but I do not care for the laces. I can see how they would work for you though.

Sveta

They are both lovely and fit well...but they are both black flat riding boots. I would be afraid to reach for the same pair over another one because they serve basically the same fashion need...but that is my minimalist self speaking

I understand your point, Sveta, and only time will tell. I think that I'll wear these in somewhat different situations. I'm more likely to throw the Gee Wawas on with jeans on a casual day, and save the Fermanis for a little bit nicer, or for icier weather when I need the tread.

Phatgranny

I know the frustration of having tiny, scrawny calves -- I have been self-conscious of them all my life (even poke fun at them from time to time: "the last time you saw legs like this they were hanging from a nest . . .") and I enthusiastically applaud your success in finding TWO well fitting pairs of boots, no small task. Keep them both and wear them well! Love the Fermanis!

Day Vies

I love the details and the fact that this boot is FLAT. Oh I hope you keep it!

Shirley

Both fit you well and are very current. So IMO it is money well spent.

Anonymous

I'm on your slender calf team and these are very tempting. What I really need is a dressy pair with a little refined heel. You give me hope that there is something out there.

RunswithDolphins

There is something so seductive about a lace up the back of a boot.

I also have a thing for boots that lace up the back -- a killer detail along with the almond toe. I am not sure I can fit the calf but I'll take them if you don't want them :-D!!!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I'm chuckling at your box-mountain and congratulating you on your new pairs of casual boots. They are killer and look beautiful. More mid calf than knee-high, no? It doesn't matter because they're gorgeous no matter what. Enjoy. xo

On short legged me I bet they will be knee high.

Ornella

I say keep both.

Sounds like you'd keep the Fermanis anyway, so even without the average cost calculation the Gee Wawas are a very low cost addition of the item that is so difficult for you to find.

Plus, to me they look completely different and would serve different styling purposes completely. The lace detail makes one pair more suitable for casual outings, but also for dressier ones when you want the boots to be the star of the show.

And actually, I just re-read your entire other post you linked to before hitting Submit button - you sound like me when I'm looking for jeans. So based on knowing what sort of agony we're talking about here, I really hope you spare yourself the pain and keep what fits and what you already have in your hand (or on your feet).

shemarie

Like you, I've been on the hunt for small-calf, sleek black riding boots for years, so of course I will say keep, keep, keep both!! I happen to love lace-up boots for casual/jeans wear, too, and the others are sleek and dressy. Yea for boots that fit!!

Scarlet

I am leaning toward saying keep both. I know your agony plus add on to that short legs and knee-high boots are such a problem for me too. I am dreading the day I declare my current black pair to be out of commission. Only keep both though if it is clear to you how you will wear them and that you will wear both often. Maybe start trying outfits?

catgirl

Well, both look terrific. I'd keep both since they are different enough, unless you want a different boot height. YAY for success!

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