I ordered some boots, and I'm not sure I should keep them. - YouLookFab Forum

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I ordered some boots, and I'm not sure I should keep them.

NK

I've been searching high and low for boots to fit my short, wide calves. I wanted something cognac that could be worn with skirts and/or jeans. I finally came across these Ecco boots at Zappos, and even though the price scared me, I realized I've spent too much time and effort already, and boots are one of those items that you get what you pay for, right?

http://www.zappos.com/ecco-hob.....ra-leather

So here they are on me. Even though I can sit down comfortably in them, I wonder if they go too high up on my leg? And do they just add to my squattiness, particularly from behind?

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25 replies

Latest reply was from sweety08

Anonymous

How do you really feel in them/about them? Because you seem to have some doubts and although they are beautiful...I can't put my finger on what feels "off" about them but something does - they look great (to me) from the side but not from behind :(.

Now seeing the 3rd picture I really wonder why these boots seem to fit perfectly from the side but not from the back...

bella

(website)

Veteran

They look great and the color is beautiful.
Can you post a picture from front? It is hard to say if they go too high up from these pictures.

NK

Thanks, Maria. I appreciate it.

There's a kind of gusset on the side under the buckles, and the extra flap of leather sticks out a little, which I'm guessing visually adds even more width.

I posted a couple more photos. Does that help to see them better, Bella?

inkstainedwriter

Those boots are gorgeous, but yes, something seems off to me. I tried another boot in that brand recently and I thought the same thing. Lovely, but not right.

Jonesy

Veteran

Hmmm, after seeing the 4th pic, I would say that they are too tall...but I am no expert, so hopefully Angie will come by and chime in :).

Louise

Veteran

I'm thinking they are too tall in the shaft, they seem to fit perfect through the ankle and calf but look slightly too wide at the top? x

Kari

Veteran

I think they are just a bit too tall from the way that they are flaring out in the 2nd and 4th pictures. Perhaps you should look for boots with 14-15" shaft height instead now that you know that 16" is a bit too high.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

They look a little too tall- what a shame because I love the buckle detail.

kellygirl

Veteran

They are gorgeous, NK, but they do look too tall. I'm 5'3" and find that I need boots with a shaft around 13.5 -14" to really fit right. Don't give up--I didn't think I'd ever find proper fitting boots but I eventually did. I'm not sure how tall you are but I've had success with MizMooz. Their boots tend to have shorter shafts than a lot of them out there. Good luck!

wilson

The buckles on the side add some bulk when looking from the front or back and gives me the optical illusion that the boot is too wide (or gaping) for your leg at those views. From the side they look like a first class act.

Deb

I agree with Wilson's comment above - the buckles add visual bulk, and I think you'd be happier with a smoother line.

My first reaction when seeing the Zappos photo was that all those buckles would start looking messy as the "tabs" begin to curl, and that they'd keep rubbing up and catching against things, and ultimately make you crazy. LOL.

Having said all this, though - they're nice boots, and you've been looking a long time. If they fill the bill and make you happy - just put them on and strut your stuff! :o)

NK

Well, boo.

Yes, I think the problem is that they are indeed a little too tall, something I really wasn't as concerned about as the width, but now I see I have to be.

How annoying. I have small feet, small ankles, short legs, and big calves. I'm honestly starting to give up hope here of ever finding something that will work.

wilson

Stay hopeful! They are out there! Think of the things you do love about them (the color is great) and refine your search!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Don't give up, NK, your perfect boots are out there somewhere!

MNsara

Veteran

When they are too tall, the boot is at it maximum width when your leg is narrowing toward your knee.

I have shorter legs (not quite petite), but don't mind boots that are about 12"-14" tall. They aren't tall, but they are visually still boots. . .
http://www.endless.com/FRYE-Wo.....evancerank

http://www.endless.com/FRYE-Wo.....frye+boots

http://www.endless.com/FRYE-Wo.....=519116011

http://www.endless.com/FRYE-Wo.....=519116011

are a few Frye that aren't too tall.

Yes, your perfect boot is out there somewhere -- don't give up!

NK

Thanks for the links, MNsara. Sadly, most of those boots aren't wide enough in the calf. My calves are 15 inches, and it was even a stretch getting on the Eccos I ordered that are supposed to be 15 1/2 inches. I read on the widewidths website that petite people have to add another inch to the measurement of their calf width:

http://www.widewidths.com/measure.html

Last year when everyone was going crazy over those harness boots at Target that were similar to Frye's, I kept trying them on and they didn't fit well even though they were shorter boots.

Lisa

Veteran

I have these Cole Haan air avalon boots in gray and they fit my 15 inch calves fine. I'm also short (5'3") and they are not too tall on me. I recently saw they come in a brown color that is nice too. Not cognac but I figured it was worth a shot to suggest. I never found cognac boots that worked on me either.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....sultback=0

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was going to suggest the Cole Haan too. Thanks, Lisa!

Maya

Veteran

Having seen them on her in person, I can attest to the fact that Lisa's CH boots look every bit as drop dead gorgeous on her in person as they do in pictures--perhaps more so. If I didn't have chicken calves, I would have been sorely tempted to to get them.

HeelShields

(website)

Member

I like the boots - Didn't like them until you posted the pictures with you wearing them.

tarzy

Veteran

NK - I have 16" calves, and I'm 5'4" so I absolutely know what you're going through. Yes, we're limited - but there are boots out there! The ones Lisa posted are absolutely gorgeous - I'll have to try them on - but if you're looking for something less expensive I can suggest a few options. None of these are particularly short, but I thought they looked fine on me. (My leg is approximately 16" from the floor to just under my knee.)

I was in Clarks the other day and just for a lark, I tried on several pairs of boots and THEY ALL FIT. I was in total, complete shock. I was told Clarks tends to run wider than other boots. I didn't buy any, because I have boots and need to spend money on other things, but they were all interesting options! I think these all come in both black and a brown. Surf the web for the best prices.

The ones I tried on:

#1 - Lyme Grass - a little heel, slightly dressier, nice buckle details. I loved the black, the SA said the brown are flying off the shelves.
#2 - Loyal - small heel, slightly dressy. These were sort of "meh" to me but fine.
#3 - Orinoco Jazz - I was really surprised these fit, and I liked them a lot. They have a very casual, but cool vibe. I'd buy them if I had extra money lying around!
#4 - Wyld Polka. These are a little tamer -slightly "meh" to me, but perfectly nice boots.
#5 - These are Nine West ToBeOrNot and I own these. They're a bit edgier. They have a 16" circ and they're a little bit of a pain to put on, because they don't have a full zipper - but they fit right over my skinny jeans no problem! The brown is a nice reddish brown - not cognac, more chestnut - very nice. (On sale now at 6pm!)

I'll let you know if I see any others out there!

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tarzy

Veteran

One more! This is the Rockport Ainly that both Kari and I have. It's more casual, and has no buckles but the cognac color is really nice! (20% off now at Shoebuy!)

http://www.shoebuy.com/rockpor.....one-_-none

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tarzy

Veteran

One more! I forgot - I also tried on Berwick Court (Clarks.) Has more of the riding vibe, but only comes in black. (But fits!)

http://www.shoebuy.com/clarks-.....808/834232

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NK

Thank you for all the suggestions and links! I appreciate it, and won't give up just yet!

sweety08

Wow I like those! I want to get some of those since we both the same calf circumference!