Riding boots for 12-13.5" calf

Kristine

I'm getting frustrated in my long search for riding boots. I've ordered a lot of pairs only to find that the calf measurement isn't correct (or it is and the ankle is baggy). The other condition is that I won't wear calf skin.

I'm still waiting for one more pair to arrive, Via Spiga Kacey from Nordstrom. I love the style but now I see in one of the reviews that someone says the calf measurement isn't correct either.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....tback=2563

Do any of you with a smaller calf have tried and true suggestions? Ideally I'd like a very sleek (not rugged), flat heeled riding boot. Thanks for any help!

14 years ago

Shopping

9 replies

Latest reply was from Kristine

Anonymous

Oh man! I clicked on this thinking you'd found the perfect ones! Bummer! They must measure them at the top of the shaft instead of at midcalf, where the boot widens. Boo.

14 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

I think you're right Claire. And even more confusing is that some companies measure in one place and some in the other. I've found descriptions for the same boot with two different measurements.

14 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Oh dear, Kristine. I bought the Via Spiga Kacey at the NAS before I realized about calf fit and it was way too big. I have 13.25 inch calves and the Kaceys are more like 14.5 inches around at least. Here are some pics of me in the boot.

I hear you on the flat riding boot frustration. That's why I ended up with those expensive lace-up Fryes--I just couldn't find anything that fit right except for those. And yes, I hate how the circumference/height specs are always wrong and always different on different sites! Arrgh!!!

I did recently try on a pair of Stuart Weitzman Upbeat boots on sale and those weren't bad for riding boots but I loved the Fryes more so they went back. The SW's were a little slouchier than I'd like but they are more of a classic riding boot than the Frye Melissas so you might be interested in trying them.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/st.....1517B1882A
http://www.zappos.com/frye-mel.....ck-leather

1-3 Via Spiga Kacey
4-7 Stuart Weitzman Upbeat
8-10. Frye Melissa lace-ups (black and brown)

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14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Mine aren't flush against my calf, but they are close enough for me. I have 12 1/4 to 12 1/2" calves I got the Santana Canada Penny off Amazon on super sale but they are close to sold out there. http://www.amazon.com/Santana-.....38;sr=8-12

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14 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

Thank you both!

I'm disappointed to learn that the Via Spiga will be too big. They certainly don't look bad Goldenpig, but I've made the same mistake and I'm hoping to find a pair that's fitted. The Stuart Weitzman are nice but they're calfskin and that's out for me. I like the lace up also and they do seem to fit well. Do you think lace up boots are too edgy for an office?

Mo, I like the Santana, I'll see if I can find them in my size, thanks!

14 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I wore both pair of Fryes to the office! There was a discussion on whether they were office appropriate in my WIW thread:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....kate-spade
And I believe Beth said she has a pair and wears them to the office all the time with pencil skirts! I thought they were too edgy for work but my eye is readjusting! The brown ones give off more of a prairie vibe so maybe they might be easier to do in the office. I felt much more comfortable in the browns:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wiw-14-6

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wrote a blog post about this:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/11/.....ow-calves/

These are the BRANDS to spy.

14 years ago

Anonymous

Keep in mind that It does make a difference on the boot height. My calf is wide and then narrows quiet a lot under the knee. If I buy a 15" tall boot that has a 12" calf it will hit the skinny part of my calf and be too loose. I found is my boot search that I had better luck if I ordered boots that were also shorter. I don't know how tall you are.

14 years ago

Kristine

Veteran

Thanks for the help!

Angie, I read your post and loved that you addressed the topic. I ordered the Vaneli Riwana and unfortunately they're too large (definitely not 13"). They were one of the boots that seem to be inaccurately listed, or perhaps I'm not understanding the measurement. Zappos has them at 14.25" and I think that's probably right.

14 years ago

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