Tall boots for petites?

petitegal

Hi ! New here. Well fashion has been a struggle. Everything seems bigger the last few years. I have been on the hunt for 3 years searching high and low for mid to tall brown boots (12 -14 inch) shaft, with a
( 12.5 -13.50) boot circumference. Problem is I am petite, 5 feet, 103 lbs, but a size 7 1/2. As the sizes go up, boots fit even larger.
I had a great pair from Aldo from 4 years ago that were perfect plain brown riding boots in a size 7 that had 13.75 circumference. All the narrow boots I see, have a 15 inch shaft A 14 inch circumference usually looks too big once you hit 7 1/2 size.)
Any advice? I have been wearing ankle boots.

8 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

danskogirl

Active Member

Maybe these? http://www.zappos.com/aetrex-essence-chelsea-brown

8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Ugh, I feel your pain. I have a 12-inch calf and wear size 6 and am 5'2".

The best route is probably to have a custom-made pair. The two main companies for this are Ted and Muffy (formerly Duo Boots), and Poppy Barley. I also recently stumbled across another one, TLS (the Leather Shop), but theirs are more expensive, presumably because they also make a custom last for your foot. I am currently saving up for a custom pair.

You could try the Solemani Gabi:
https://www.amazon.com/Soleman.....1?_encodin

These were a perfect fit for my calf, but I found them too large in the ankle, so the overall look was disproportionate. I returned them because I didn't like how large the ankle looked. But the fit and quality were both good. I wish they made more styles.

It is very frustrating. When I find the rare boot that fits in the calf (and I mean RARE), the shaft is too high, grr. The only pair of knee-high boots I have found that had the correct shaft height were the Gabi (mentioned above) and the La Canadienne Stephanie (which comes only in black; and the calf was still a little too large, though close).

Are you open to black or other colors, or to over-the-knee boots? I recently bought a pair of Cole Haan over-the-knee boots that are a very nice fit in the calf. The shaft comes up just a couple of inches above the knee, very nice if you are a short person. They come in black and gray.

Nordstrom

Cole Haan 'Marina' Over the Knee Boot (Women)

$500.00 $299.98

Sale

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8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Oh, one other thing I will mention is that I have found that if I have just a touch of excess space in the calf, wearing an over-the-knee sock that has been folded down so as not to peek up over the top of the boot can help take up the extra space. But this works only if you don't have too much extra space. I use this trick on my Aquatalia Rumbahs (which, incidentally, I didn't recommend because they are still a little too high in the shaft--they're about 15" high starting from the heel).

I have tried to have work done on boots at the cobbler, but having the calf taken in is extremely difficult work, and it often doesn't end up well. I've had it done a few times, with two different cobblers, and both times I was not satisfied. My usual cobbler, who repairs shoes for the local Stuart Weitzman store, refuses to even do such work because he said that it never turns out looking good.

You *might* be able to more successfully have the shaft shortened if you find a pair of boots that is the correct calf circumference. I asked my local cobbler about doing that to the Rumbahs, and he said that he could, but there would be a small roll of material at the top of the boot where he turned the leather over. He said that when the boots are made, the maker often thins the leather at the top so that when the leather is turned over to make the top of the boot, there is no extra bulk. My cobbler said he wouldn't be able to do this thinning, so I didn't bother with having the work done because I didn't want to risk ruining the boots.

My experiences with ill-fitting boots and my unhappiness with the shoe work done are what lead me to recommend you look into getting a custom pair.

8 years ago

Anonymous

You guys are making me feel huge! I'm 5'2" tall, wear size 7.5W (D) and my most comfortable, best-fitting tall boots have a 15" calf circumference & a 14" shaft. I have never considered my legs to be muscular, but maybe they are?

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

BC, people's frames are just different sizes, is all. Your bones are probably larger to start.

At 5'4" , I'm only on the borderline of petite but I also feel your pain because my calves happen to be disproportionately short. That means I need a boot shaft height of about 14" and as Gigi says, that is really hard to find. My ideal width is also 13.5 which as you know is another issue.

Like Gigi, I've had some luck with La Canadienne. I have the Poppie (I think...the ones I have might actually be a different boot but they are much like those) and also the Mazys. On Zappos it says the shaft is 15" high, but it is not, at least not in my size (6.5) because 15" is too tall for me and these are not too tall. It also fits on the shaft really well.

They are very pricey but if you know your size you can sometimes find them on 6 pm.

Another solution is to go for a lace-up boot. This way you can tighten them the way you need to.

Zappos

La Canadienne Poppie

$450.00

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Zappos

La Canadienne Mazy

$425.00

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8 years ago

petitegal

Member

DanskoGirl, Those may work!! Dont love the material on the back as much, but Love the boots. How did I not see those on Zappos. LOL. Reading reast of responses now.

8 years ago

petitegal

Member

Thanks for all the info Gigi! I will look into all the info.
I am not against black, but I have a nice pair from 3 years ago that I wear on special days out. I am a stay at home mom, so I actually dont really need as many dressy boots.

8 years ago

petitegal

Member

Thanks Suz! Problem is I need brown. I have seen that brand and I do feel they cater to the smaller calf. Maybe I should order a pair from them, and cross my fingers it is not a 15 inch shaft. I do alot of returning anyway. LOL. I may look into the custom boots! Or go to a good shoe repair shop.
Great advice everyone!! It is not easy being short.

8 years ago

Anonymous

My youngest DD is only 5' tall, and my boots are too tall for her. I wear petite clothes but need a longer inseam than the typical 28" in petite pants, so that may be why I don't typically have trouble with boot shafts; just circumference.

8 years ago

petitegal

Member

BC, I guess it depends on if you have a shorter waist or longer legs.
in skinny jeans, I need a 26-27 inseam. Also, you are 5 '2, which for me is tall. I just barely hit 5 feet. LOL. I really wish I was slightly taller.

8 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Petitegal, Zappos carries some of the La Canadienne styles, and Zappos has free shipping and free returns (at least if you are in the US), so you could try out some La Canadienne boots without worrying about footing the shipping bill. Nordstrom also has a few styles of La Canadienne and has free shipping both ways.

I find that oftentimes the shaft and calf measurements are inaccurate on websites, so if you see something you suspect will work, I would go ahead and try it. I like to check the Zappos site, because they often have a video with a model wearing the boots. That way you can get a better idea of how big the calf is (the models usually have slim calves) and how tall the shaft is (the models are usually tall).

8 years ago

Anonymous

Then I might not actually need a 15" calf circumference after all, lol. I'm going by the online measurements of the boots I just bought. I'll have to measure them when I get home and see if they match the online description.

8 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Jean, at Extra Petite, frequently reviews boots and provides photos and measurements.

http://www.extrapetite.com/

8 years ago

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