Ask the Shoeblogger: Boots for Wide Calves.
Posted on December 14th, 2008 by galligator under Ask the Shoebloggers, Boots, Fall 2008 Shoes, Frye Shoes, J. Crew, ZapposHi!
I need help! Every year I see tons of awesome calf- and knee-high boots. It seems like each Fall and Winter they come out with new styles…and colors! BUT I have to admire them from afar. I was born a beautiful full-figured woman :)….unfortunately, with BIG calfs! I can’t fit ANY of the boots I find! And the ones I do find are that suede material.Do you know where I can find some MODERATELY-priced leather calf- and knee-length boots? HELP!!
Crystal
Apologies to Crystal if it seems like we took awhile to respond on this plea; this is a tough and ongoing challenge for many women and keeping this article informative without going off on tangents has proven to be trickier than expected.
The complaint that boots are not made for gals with sturdy calves is, unfortunately, not news to anyone who has ever been in that same (and very unenviable) shopping position. So, of course, I find Crystal’s frustration to be completely understandable. And, there are many ladies out there who adore taller boots, but have less-than-dainty calves. At 14 inches around, my calves ride the fashion tightrope on whether a given boot will fit and zip. If you are ambitious, there are even many products for you to attempt to self-stretch your own shoes, should the urge strike you.
Of course, the first requirement for successful stretching is that the boot upper be made of leather. This is doubly important; Leather is very durable making it easier to get good wear and your money’s worth from your purchase and, real leather is stretchable when given to a competent cobbler/boot repair shop. When all else fails, purchase and all-leather boot & have your boots stretched. The process will only lighten your pocketbook by $20-$30 and the result is often a perfectly fitted boot.
Now, if you are new to our site, you may have missed an older shoeblog article that focused on Duo Boots. Duo boots come in a number of different calf sizes and can even accommodate ladies with the opposite problem of narrow calves since they are sold by calf-size. Of course, at prices starting at UK 120/US $250 depending on the exchange rate, they may not quite fit into the category of ‘Moderately-priced’ to the average consumer. Lately, with shoe prices on the rise, these are definitely nowhere near as spendy as many current mid-to-high end designers that are now charging upwards of $500-$2500 for current-season leather boots; it may be a worthwhile investment for those harder-to-fit folks to spend the $250+ for a long-lasting, well-fitted boot.
Next, as he is the master of most things shoe-related, it is no surprise that ‘The Manolo’ has also struggled with a solution to the wide-calf dilemma. Among his recommendations of boot brands with roomier calf-allowances are: J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Church’s boots. More useful, perhaps are actually the comments responding to his article which recommend both Eddie Bauer as well as the (new to me) website www.widewidths.com (self-proclaimed as ‘Your Site for Fashionable Wide-calf boots’).
Finally, no hunt would be complete without a quick search over at Zappos.com to see what options are available on ‘Wide-calf’ site search. OK, that’s 50+ pages of results in varying styles and prices; Among them, a large selection of RSVP boots priced under $200. Of course, many ‘wide-calf’ boots only fit up to about 15 inches around in calf circumference, so some of these results will only be helpful for borderline ladies like myself; so it’s always good to check the individual shoe stats (Thank you Zappos for such great descriptions).
Well, when my eyes alight on the phrase ‘Extra Wide Calf’, that sounds pretty promising. Way to go, Type Z.
Type Z Catie Extra Wide Calf $190 at Zappos.com (17″ circumference)
Also promising, selections from Ros Hommerson, a brand known for offering a huge variety of widths from extra-narrow to wide on all of their shoe and boot styles.
Ros Hommerson Chanel Boot (Wide - 16.25″ circumference) or Inlet Boot (Extra Wide - 18″ circumference) $198.
A few other options include widening a boot search to include boot-cut Western Styles as well as Lace-up boots and adjustable Granny styles.
Some options in this category are:
Dan Post Snowflake Ostrich $309.
Frye Veronica Slouch Black Patent $332 (15″ circumference).
Frye Page Buckles $382 (15.5 circumference).
Mark Nason Iris $574.95 $310 (14″ circumference). My own experience with Mark Nason is that the lacing give more width allowance than the base measurement indicates).
Etienne Aigner Kraft $ 148.95 $97 (14″ circumference).
Shoes for Lovely People Anthia $216 (14.5″ circumference plus added stretch gore panels).
This information is merely a starting point for those on the hunt for a more accommodating boot shaft, and some styles will work for some ladies and not others (But I have found that to be true of all shoes). Like any shoe hunt, it takes time and patience to find the right item at the right value. Hopefully I have provided some tools to help you along the way.
- Ask the ShoeBlogger: Where can I find leather nude knee high boots?
- Button Boots!
- Boots for the hefty calves
- Juicy Couture Locke Vintage Flat Boot
- DSW Shoes to sell shoes online
- Givenchy: High Bondage
Piperlime
December 14th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I, too, have wide calves and have always searched for talls boots that would look great and fit - my salvation? http://www.WideWidths.com. They have a fabulous selection of boots of all types, hells heights, colors, styles… They are a great find for ladies with wide calves!!
December 15th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Hello shoebloggers,
So, I’m attempting to sell them on ebay. Unfortunately, I’ve no idea how to describe or what decade they’re from and google searches are proving fruitless - they are animal print Yves Saint Laurent knee high boots with a 3 inch heel and look like they’re made of cow hide. Do you have any idea when they might’ve been made and how much they should be worth?? Thanks!
I’ve acquired some lovely boots from an antiques market. I bought them as a present for my sister but they don’t fit her
Abi
December 16th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
After I read your response I ordered a pair of kitten heeled boots for my fiancee from Duo Boots. They had her calf size in stock and the boots are on the way from the You Kay. I’ll report how they work out.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Awesome. Hope she loves them. What a sweet holiday gift!
If she’ll let you take pictures, we’d love to see them (we also have a forum area if she wants to share her new boots.)
December 17th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Naturalizer makes a line of boots in wide calves. They’re neutral on the style issue - I have a pair that aren’t my most stylish shoes ever, but they’re certainly not unstylish.
I also have a pair of synthetic boots. These are amongst my more pricey shoes, bought at a nice boutique in Philly. They pull up and fit my calves perfectly (as they’re stretchy). I like to think they’re fairly stylish.
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT be lured in by Silhouettes wide calf boots. They are mediocre in terms of style and manufacture, and their shipping is not cheap.
January 1st, 2009 at 7:38 pm
# Kate Adams
January 1st, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I thought I should mention this company; Fitted Boots, they do a fantastic range of calf fitting boots. They are also the only company to tailor-make anything from their boot collection. There is not even an additional charge! The tailor-made boots can be made longer or shorter and you can have the ankle width as well as the calf made to your exact requirements. These boots are fully leather lined and constructed using the finest Italian leather, whats more they only cost the same as high street shoes stores would charge around £80 to £90! I can highly recommend them
http://www.fittedboots.com
January 16th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Hi,
Cant help but see that some of you commented on the price of Fitted Boots so i though i would share DUO have started a 50% sale.
they have some great styles and now they are half price
April 28th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Do NOT use fittedboots.com. They do not return emails, promised to return my money and haven’t. I stupidly paid by Maestro so there is very little I can do! Apart from get on all the Forums and let you know their appaling service.
Sorry tale started on 11 Feb 09. Placed order. Boots never arrived. They said they were getting complaints about a company trading on the same name as them. I gave them the benefit of the doubt but still no boots. Six weeks later, I ask for a refund. They say, ok, we’ll send it within 30 days. It didn’t arrive. I’ve tried to ring today and email, but the phone line doesn’t exist and the emails bounce back. Dodgy? I think so. Kate Adams who posted above is actually an employee of theirs and was the one who told me that I would get a refund!!!
And remember, always always always use Visa or your credit card to place an order online!
April 28th, 2009 at 9:24 am
That is horrible. Thank you for putting your story here. We all appreciate this type of information. Perhaps your unfortunate experience will prevent other people from being stuck in the same circumstance.
This is a definite reminder to use a credit card for online/catalog purchases so that you have the ability to perform a chargeback if services or products never arrive or are not as described. Know your credit card’s chargeback policy (normally in the 30-60 days to file) when you place orders with new or lesser-known companies.
May 12th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I have ordered by Maestro from FittedBoots.com & I also regret it. Your bank statement will display that the money is taken by: The Calf Width Boot Co Ltd. Their address in Companies House is listed as: Charmborough Farm Rural Business Park, Charlton Road, Holcombe, Radstock, Avon. BA3 5FX I have found the names & address of the owners today: Mr Michael James Barrett, Director and Ms Amy Davis, Secretary. Their address is: 3 Wells Square, Westfield, Radstock, Somerset. BA3 3UF For £25 you can take them to court. I am going to do this also: http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/ direct link here: http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/onlineservices/mcol/index.htm My order was £92.90, if I pay £25 & get the rest back, that’s better than nothing.
Read more: “Shopping For Shoes Online: Where to Find The Footwear Sizes and Styles You Want on the Internet | Suite101.com” - http://shoesaccessories.suite101.com/article.cfm/shopping_for_shoes_online#ixzz0FJQ6RYPM&A
May 15th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I have beed conned by fittedboots.com. Advise for anyone else who has also been conned:
You will see on your bank statement that the money has been taken out by The Calf Width Boots Co Ltd (fittedboots.com is their domain name). Go to the ” Companies House” website. Type in the company name and this will display their address. The Calf Width Boots Co Ltd have requested to be dissolved so you must email the Companies House to state that you “object to The Calf Width Boots Co Ltd from being dissolved as you are owed money”.
Also, write a letter to The Calf Width Boots Co Ltd demanding a refund. Ensure you send your letter by Special Delivery.
Inform ConsumerDirect via email on their website. They already have my complaint.
Good luck in getting your money back.
May 17th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Just as a note of caution to those ladies ordering from lesser-known websites. Always use a credit card. Always know your CC’s chargeback policy & be willing to use it if a retailer is misbehaving, dishonest, or otherwise not performing. Using a credit card offers a fair amount of online ordering protection. Be prepared to use it in worst case scenarios.
As to the article, Duo Boots is a reputable company, as is Zappos. I highly recommend using any of the established online e-tailers for hard-to-find goods with appropriate service and product value.