The Right (Calf) Size (Pt. 1)

[Gige]

I profess to having a love of heeled boots and greatly prefer a pair of them (ankle to thigh-high) over a pair of pumps. For reasons I am unable to explain in a matter of a few simple words, boots, no matter the heel height, always seem to fit me so much better than pumps, loafers, etc.  The problem that I face when trying to find that "just right" pair of boots is that I have slim calves and thus, I have had to pass on purchasing many of the gorgeous boots I have seen come the start of autumn. Based on my research, it appears that 15-16" (~38cm) top circumference is the "norm" and, unfortunately, I measure 14" (~34cm). If I wear of pair with a top circumference/shaft opening larger than 15" (36cm") they are obviously too large for my thin legs and can look rather awkward. Therefore when I am shopping for a new pair of boots, there are far fewer choices for me due to my narrow/slim calf size. I no longer shop for boots at shoe store as I know that what is available in my shoe size will be far too big in the calf area. Fortunately, I have been able to find a few brands that offer narrow calf boots for individuals like me. 

One brand that offers narrow calf boots with great quality/generally positive reviews is Naturalizer and I have two pairs of the Kalina model. They fit well and are well made, but the problem with this brand is that most of their styles have lower heels <3." Additionally, although the brand can be found at retailers outside of Naturalizer, as is often the case, once Naturalizer is out of a particular model, so is every other on-line retailer. So, as any Dutch members of this forum know, OP = OP! Another brand that I have found is Soleimani, which is sold via Slimcalfboots.com. Overall, the boots are well made and there is a fair selection of styles. I have a pair of black, 3.5" block heel pointed toe boots that have a "western" flair to them. They are comfortable and fit well through the calf but the ankle is a bit narrow which makes that area a bit tight. Although this does not affect walking in them, I can feel the leather pulling across my ankle when I bend it so my foot is pointing up. Likewise, the entire shaft is not leather as the part of the shaft in the back of the calf is a stretchy canvass-like material. Although advertised as "knee-high," some the their models are closer to mid-calf than at the knee. Despite this, I will probably be buying a pair of the same style boots in blue, and gray suede for next autumn. 

I very recently purchased a pair of boots from DUO out of the UK. I had added to a previous thread about DUO's self-inflicted missteps in the past and how the company just about went bankrupt due to an ill-conceived name change. As I had mentioned in that post, the number of different calf sizes available had dropped to eight, and the styles also changed. The elegant styles (with a great deal of sex appeal) which were once offered were replaced with boots that were far more "practical" and to me, bordered on "frump." The highest heel now on offer is ~3.5" (9cm) whereas in the past 4"/10cm styles could be found every season. Clearly, the audience at whom the boots were marketed had greatly shifted from "fashionista" to school teacher (No offense to any school teacher as my lovely spouse taught in a classroom for 19 years but she was always well put together).  Also, there have been some complaints that the quality for which DUO was once known had fallen as well.

Given the above, in respect to DUO, I was quite surprised to see the company offer a leather boot with a 3.5"/9cm stiletto heel in a snake print.  To me, these seemed a bit "too" edgy for those to whom they would normally market their footwear. As my foot and calf size were available, I took a chance and ordered a pair. I was quite happy that DUO shipped these by FedEx as they only took a week to get to me (from the UK) compared to about three weeks if they were sent by post. Overall, the boots seem to well make and the calf size I purchased was perfect. The only draw back so far is that the ankle area is a bit large and the particular model I purchased was in whole sizes only (I am 9.5/US) so I had to order up a 1/2 half size. I am curious to see how comfortable they will be for a whole day.

Next up...Other (usually very expensive) alternatives. 

The photo is from the DUO website...I will post a picture of how I wore them shortly after I do so! The black boots are from Soleimani.

 

Edited 10 hours ago by Gige

[Shyheels]

I have skinny calves too. I’ve two pair of stiletto boots from Italian heels - both are their Tina model, one (black) with 10cm heels and the other (chocolate brown) with 12cm heels. They fit very nicely around my calves. They were not cheap, but they are well made, real leather - I’d much rather have only a couple of pairs and have them fit beautifully.

I’ve  a pair of very beautiful, luxurious black suede OTK boots custom made by Jean Gaborit that fit absolutely perfectly, and their sturdy, slender 9cm heels are extremely walkable. But you do pay for that …

[mlroseplant]

I thought I remembered, but I just had to go find my tailor's tape measure and reconfirm--my calves are 12 1/2" (32 cm). And I don't feel like I've got "skinny" legs. Because I stand only 5'5" (165 cm), I feel like I'm proportional, but I run into this same problem--I'm swimming in most knee high boots. The one pair I own that fit really well are actually vintage. I estimate them to be from the 80s, maybe the early 90s. My shearling lined snow boots with modest 6 cm heels, pictured elsewhere on this website. I wish my stiletto knee highs fit like the vintage pair. Maybe that's why I'm not a boots guy. Once we hit March, I'm not even going to think about this again until next year!