Knee high boot height

Patience

What is the rule on how tall a knee high boot should be on you? What's too high? I like trying on boots (not that I need any) but I'm realizing that it's hard to judge. Most knee high boots hit about 1-2" below the bottom of my knee cap. This is a little higher than the widest part of my calf by about 1/2-1". It seems like if I size half a size down from my normal size, the boot can be a much better fit but the height is still the same.

15 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Laura

Maya

Veteran

It doesn't seem like an exact science. This is just my opinion, but I think as long as the boots fit snugly wherever they end, it's fine. If those Camper boots I got were more snug against my calf, I don't think the height would have bothered me so much. I don't like it when boots end at the widest part of my calf. I find it unflattering. Just above that, where my calf starts to narrow out but not disappear completely, is the best spot for me. That might not be true for everyone.

You're not petite right? I don't think I know your height. What you describe sounds like it's pretty similar to my ideal shaft height, and I am petite (although I have very long legs).

15 years ago

Patience

Veteran

I don't wear petite clothing but I'm short-- 5'3" and have a 29" inseam although I hem to 30-31" for flats.

15 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I think that's where I'd like my boots to end as well, about 1"-2" below my knee cap. Any lower, and they're mid-calf boots, really.

15 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Here's a picture of my riding boots:

http://i282.photobucket.com/al.....G_0986.jpg

They are a 15" shaft. Are they technically too tall for me? (Don't worry I don't intend to give them up even if you tell me they are.)

I kind of agree with Maya I think that if the boot conforms to my calf, it's okay to be taller. But maybe I should change that view point. Or is that splitting hairs?

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I'm not bothered by them Patience. I think a little lower would be even better, but they're certainly not unflattering the way they are. I don't think I'd notice if we weren't having a discussion about boot height. I know Angie is more strict about this, so she might give you a different opinion.

15 years ago

shana

Veteran

I think the shaft height is a big challenge for petites. Like you, my boots also end up 1 or 2 inches under the knee cap (my inseam is similar to yours but I am 5'0). Most of course, don't fit snugly around my scrawny calves. So many of the ones that I have tried on are an almost fit - they're snug a couple of inches below the top of the boot but then seem to almost flare out at the top. I think it's a shaft height issue - if the boots themselves were shorter, they would probably fit perfectly. When I see taller women wear boots, they seem to end more like 3-4 inches below the calf - but not necessarily at the widest part of their calf - more like in that sweet spot that Maya is talking about. I wish I could find boots that fit me here because personally, I find that a little more flattering (it shows a little more leg). Most boots are probably designed for women you are 5'6 (which I believe is the nation average for height???).
I'd love to hear Angie's take on this....

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Everyone is spot on. It’s hard to come up with a rule because there are once again too many variables at play – the shape of the boot, your height and calf thickness. You’re after a well fitting boot in ALL respects – even when it’s slouchy and does not need to fit the calf. This is tricky.

I never realized that the 20 eyelet docs were so high. They hit me in the perfect place (a good 3 inches below the knee cap), so I guess you need to be at least 5ft 6 to wear them. I’m finding that many boots have been too tall for petite women this season. My tall clients have been rejoicing.

15 years ago

Violet

Active Member

Shana - I am 5ft tall as well, so I can relate. I found a pair of knee-high boots at DSW. I think the brand is either Bandolino or Diba. I'll have to check at home to make sure. Anyway, they hit me a couple of inches below the knee. There is a bit of a gap near the top, but I think they still look okay:

Here are some pics to give you an idea of how they look. Maybe this brand would work for you?

http://i383.photobucket.com/al.....-16-08.jpg
http://i383.photobucket.com/al.....2-9-08.jpg
http://i383.photobucket.com/al.....-15-08.jpg
http://i383.photobucket.com/al.....G01042.jpg
http://i383.photobucket.com/al.....-10-08.jpg

I'll have to get the exact measurements when I get home. I also got a pair of brown knee-high boots from Impo that fit the same. That might be another brand to try. Good luck!

15 years ago

Patience

Veteran

OK, so I'm not crazy that it has been hard to find tall boots for the petite person. All season I have been toying with the idea of getting a casual black pair and a slouchy grey pair even though I definitely don't need them. 20 hole DMs are a fairly inexpensive solution but I agree they are just too tall. I'm kind of tempted to see if a cobbler could shorten them to 19 holes but that's kind of extreme. Somehow it seems okay for slouchy grey boots to be a little taller but all the ones I have tried are taller; there just haven't been any shorter options. Oh well, better on the credit card.

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I completely relate to the petite boot fit issue. Have any petites tried these La Canadienne "Laura" boots (great name ...)

http://zeta.zappos.com/product/7343642/color/106

They also come in crinkle patent leather on other sites. And there's a couple of other styles, Laney and Lili, that seem to be the same height. These boots are taller than most midcalf boots (I ordered the Lauras at the same time that I ordered a pair of mid-calf Eccos, and the Lauras were at least 1 1/2 inches taller), but shorter than a knee-high boot. On me (5'4") they hit in the perfect spot, just where a knee-high boot would be on a taller person. Of course with my skinny calves they are still a bit wide, but not horrible. It's an idea, anyway!

15 years ago

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