Many of our internet friends have written bemoaning the lack of boots suitable for the girl with the wide calf. Well gals, I have good news and I have bad news.
The good news is there are boots out there. The bad news is that it’ll cost you.
It is the mantra of the Manolo Blogs that instead of buying cheap footwear made with deplorable lack of attention to detail by whatever 8-year old Bangladeshi child was cuffed to that particular table, one must save up for the superfantastic shoes, lovingly made by handsome gruff men named Aldo who drive cool Italian scooters and get 90 minute lunch breaks.
Give Aldo a cow and a dream and he’ll make you a pair of boots that will last you until the cows –at least the ones who have not as of yet become court shoes– come home.
Some internet friends have had success with Sudini, whose boots come with a standard 14″ circumference and elastic goring for a better fit, like the mid-heel brogue-style “Tiffany” that goes all the way up to a 13 Wide.
But for my money, custom is the way to go. Duo Boots offered hand-tooled, custom fitted boots for calves up to 20″ in a variety of traditional and modern styles. Even better? Most boots ring in at under 150 pounds!
Here are a few of my favorites.
From Top: Moscow, Almeria, Odessa & Versailles
Remember to order slightly smaller than your actual calf size because leather stretches over time. Happy shopping!
The Almeria is definitely the first choice of the Annalucia. She likes the Moscow too, though it would be for winter parties and not for the every day. But the Versailles? Ayyyy! It has a nipple where the heel ought to be.
Comment by Annalucia — September 24, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
The Almeria is super fantastic. I will steel myself against the $300 (american) price tag and buy them… after I save up… because they are indeed timeless… and I must feed poor Aldo. I imagine him in a small tuscan villa, perhaps he rents the “servants quarters” off the main house. I love Aldo.
Comment by Lexy — September 24, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
At last! *profusely thanks the Plumcake*
Comment by teteatete — September 24, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
I have a pair of Duo boots (I forget which ones) and they are goooood. There’s little of the ankle-baginess that other boots have, sleep and well-made. Highly recommend, even if they are very pricy. Shipping is hit or miss. My pair came quickly. My sister’s pair took an inordinate amount of time, though they said to be in stock.
Comment by scsee — September 24, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
There’s also this site for wide width/calf boots that’s less expensive:
http://www.widewidths.com/bootsandshoes.html
Comment by Anjou — September 25, 2007 @ 1:05 am
I’m glad you mentioned Sudini. I got the most fabulous pair from Nordie’s, only to find that the calves were TOO big. Considering how much time I spend on the elliptical machine, that truly is a statement.
Another route to go is to perhaps try a pair of Frye Villagers. They have a generous amount of lacing, and it’s quite easy to adjust the size.
Comment by dowdydiva — September 25, 2007 @ 8:11 am
Oohh! The Genova comes in mallard green (teal) suede – my favorite color. Guess I’ll be getting a pair of those. I’ve just loved these past couple of seasons when “my” color is in fashion. Teal seems to take such a long time to come around again; I have to stock up when I can (at least that’s what I tell my DH).
Comment by Carol — September 25, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
I ordered a few pair of boots from Silhouettes last year. The price was uber-cheap, the boots were cute enough (not bad quality for the under $100 price tag), and best of all — they were too big around the calves for me!
Comment by Nemtynakht — September 25, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
I think I may be late to this party… but, here’s a question for the great minds. What to do about big calves and small ankles? It seems like the rare occasion I find boots that will fit around my urban pedestrian walks everywhere calves they’re literally baggy on my ankles. Even with lace-ups, I can lace so the sides touch and they’re too big.
I almost never wear boots just because of this. (well, that and finding anything to fit on my size six and a half EXTRA wide feet is about as easy as turning lead into gold)
Comment by Kelly — September 26, 2007 @ 12:05 am
I have a pair of Naturalizer boots (that I got at a discount store, no less!) that fit my wide calves perfectly. I bought them about five years ago, and they’re finally starting to show some age. They have a slightly chunky stacked heel and a slightly square toe, and I love love love them. They’re similar to these: boots
Comment by Jen — September 28, 2007 @ 7:15 am
Kelly, if you order from DuoBoots you can order wide legged boots with narrow ankles, just specify it at checkout! That’s what I did. ;)
If anyone’s second-guessing a DuoBoots order, let this girl tell you that her DuoBoots are among the best purchases she’s ever made. Ever.
Comment by KellyGirl — September 28, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Glad to see someone is staying on top of things.
Comment by www.eCardica.com — September 30, 2007 @ 11:29 pm
I will save Duo as my last resort. I have tried every boot Zappos has that claims to offer a 15″ or 16″ shaft circumference, but I think they’re all lying, and all the “wide-calf” boots that Zappos has right now are either too low a heel, too dowdy, or too expensive. I have ordered a pair of extended-calf Ann Taylor Loft boots and if they work on my 15″ muscular calves I will be sure to post that here!
Comment by Kimberly — October 4, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
Duo don’t do ankle sizes but they are the best fit i have ever come across. If you call them up before you order; they are so helpful and knowledgable they will be able to talk you through how to get the best fit. These boots are great for slender ankles as i have the same problem-http://www.duoboots.com/calf_fitted_boots/dress/sicily
Comment by Sarah — October 8, 2007 @ 6:48 am
FORGET Duo Boots girls! Their prices are RIDCULOUS and you have to pay for shipping from the UK. I wanted to share my happiness about a place I found for wide calf boots after searching for years and I am in 7th heaven! I found them at http://www.WideWidths.com since they sell the greatest wide calf boots! I just got my second pair of boots with a wide calf circumference from them and I have NEVER been able to find a pair of boots before in my life! They have nice fashionable styles – all the stuff that the skinny calf women are wearing! Their customer service department is great too since they answer you within a few hours and they are very nice and helpful. Every single boot on their site comes only for wide calves so you don’t waste your time looking through sites to find out that nothing will fit you. I never thought I’d be able to find a pair of boots for my big legs and I also wear a wide width too (thanks Grandma!) as if one thing wasn’t enough. What a great place to shop – you’ll love their stuff. I am now waiting for another pair that I just ordered from them too.
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Comment by Abercrombie and Fitch — October 13, 2010 @ 5:18 am