Super skinny calves--anyone seen/tried these boots??

Hi all, I am 5'4" and have 12" calves. I have been looking for a nicer pair of knee high boots to wear with dresses and skirts, so I want something that will fit very close to the calf. I have never bought from Nordstrom, and I can call them tomorrow to check, but I live in AK, and whenever companies specify free shipping, it usually does not apply to AK. I bought a pair of boots from Zappos last year that specified a calf circumference, then when they came, they were 3" bigger than the specified size. Shipping is such a hassle, I just sold them on CL and ate $80. I fear a repeat, so just wondering if anyone had actual hands-(or feet, actually) on experience with any of these boots and could recommend them.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ol.....tback=3863

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ki.....ltback=595

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/na.....tback=5218

Or if you have a suggestion you can recommend personally, I would love to hear it.
Just cannot justify spending much more than $250-300
Thanks!

13 years ago

April

Veteran

Hi Esther -- I also have 12" calves and share your frustration at finding boots that fit properly. (Fair warning: when they do fit properly, they can look a little funny -- like skinny little stovepipes on top of a long foot.)

You can read about some of our adventures in the skinny-calf boot search:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....port-group

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....calf-boots

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....all-calves

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....t-the-calf

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....he-cobbler

If you find beautiful, comfortable boots on sale, IMO it's worth spending the money to get the calf taken in by a competent cobbler. Just be clear on how snugly you want them to fit.

Kristine

I can't speak to those boots specifically but I've ordered several pairs from Nordstroms only to be disappointed by the actual circumference. I think companies measure in different places. Maybe you could call to have someone check for you.

I have these and they actually fit! My calves are 13-13.5".

http://www.zappos.com/munro-am.....de#prdInfo

cinnamon fern

I have these, which claim to be (and I think are) 12 1/4:

http://www.polyvore.com/coclic.....d=58261843

BUT what size are your feet? I wear a 5.5 or 6 and find online measurements pretty accurate, I think they measure the 6 - and different brands adjust the calf for different foot sizes differently.

Keix

I don't have particularly skinny calves, but I do have small feet like cinnamon fern and have observed also that online measurements are accurate at least to the inch. Moreover, height (or calf length) is also a consideration: my calves are 13.5-14" and I often have trouble zipping up a size 5.5 boot because the largest point of my calf falls lower than what the boot is designed for. So the calf is snug but there's still a gap at the top.

(website)

I did not click an any links (sloooow computer here) but I will share what boots work for my 12 1/4" calves. I am 5' 4 1/2" tall and wear a 7 or 7 1/2 shoe.
The best fit is my Frye Julia lace ups. I found them for $235 on Amazon. Next best fit is my Santana Canada 'Penny' boots I also bought on Amazon 2 seasons back. A little roomier, but deemed okay by Angie after some debate, the Miz Mooz Gayle, bought on, you guessed it, Amazon lol.

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deb

I also have skinny calves. I have found that if the boot does not have a zipper it will be too wide. I have tried on all of Nordie's boots, I think, and the only ones that fit me are the Aquatalia. I had to wait until this year for them to go on sale to purchase. I just kept stalking. These are the ones I finally got.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/aq.....tback=2700

I also found that reading the reviews helps with my desision. If people complain that the calf is too tight, those are generally the boots for me.

catgirl

Esther, are you in Frbx? The Nordstrom in Anchorage sometimes will let you do free shipping to the store. They are really helpful in general and you may want to try them. If you buy over a certain amount it's also free, so you may want to order several things to try at once.

Totally hear you on the shipping costs. So annoying. And why don't people know we are part of the continental US?

Esther

Active Member

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the replies.

April, thanks for the links to past conversations.

Kristine, lovely boots, thanks for the link. I was so excited when I saw that Nordstrom's supposedly measures an 8.5 boot, but then I saw some reviews that belied that fact.

Cinnamon Fern, those boots are amazing! They are exactly what I want, a beautiful brown that can dress up or down equally well...

KL, my calves are 15" tall, and I wear a 7.5 or 8

Mo, thanks for the pics. I believe that it was actually a conversation on the fit of your boots that made me conscious that buying a pair of knee-high boots was going to be more complicated than just ordering a look I liked...

Deb, I also like those boots, and they are within my modest price range. I will have to take a closer look at them.

Alaskagirl, yes, I am in Frbx. There is extremely limited shopping here, and what is here I often think is way overpriced for the quality. I am going to be in Anch for a day in Dec, maybe I will see if there is something I can work out with the Nordstrom there. Thanks for the tip.
PS--I had someone tell me this summer that something I ordered did not come in my order because the manufacturer did not allow its product to be shipped outside of the US!!!! Geography fail!!

Good luck, Esther -- please let us know if you find anything that works! Those of us who share this problem are always on the lookout.

pyperpyper

Member

Hi Esther,
I have a pair of Frye Adrienne boots and they are indeed for 12" calves. They go with t shirt and jeans, blouses, dresses, you name it.

If you or anyone with skinny calves are interested:
Chocolate Brown Frye Adrienne Button Boots
http://bit.ly/1hRpg8g

10 years ago

CocoLion

Pyperpyper this thread is over three years old. If you want to sell these boots you can also post them over in the Style Exchange area. Or contact Esther directly once you've been on the forum long enough to be able to. Welcome to YouLookFab by the way! They look like great boots.

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