The fit was great, shoulders where they ought to be yet enough room in the bust and the styles pretty flattering, but OMG the fabric! I think there was an explosion at the factory where my daughter’s dance recital costumes were made. The horror – shiny, rubbery, slippery, NASTY.

2) I desperately need/want that grey skirt. But thanks to my own badly timed motivations I’m down 30 lbs (to be healthy again, not just for vanity) and in between sizes. So I’m not going to buy any more clothes until I am firmly in a new size. But I will stare at it longingly on my screen and pair things from my closet with it…..I have a lovely fitted navy sweater that would be absolutely fantastic!

Sofft boots!

I have the Tyla in black leather, which Zappos appears to be out of – but they do have the Red Oak/Dark Brown still in stock. http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/28018887/c/130941.html Go there and read all the reviews for reference, and then if you decide to try it, you can rustle up a pair in another color on Nordy’s site or similar.

These are by far the best boots I have ever owned. I too have a problem with having a medium sized foot but a bigger than “average” calf – so on the off chance I would find a boot that would fit my calf, it usually came along with a wide width foot, and led me to consider buying stock in the lumberjack sock industry, for I must’ve been singlehandedly keeping them in business.

Zappos says the calf circumference is only 15, but they lie – I have a 17 inch calf and they fit me well, with enough room to zip them up over my skinny jeans. I know you said your calves are 20″ but the leather is very soft and flexible and with some patience, you might be able to make it work – if not, you could get a cobbler to add some goring.

It would be worth it, even if you had to pay a cobbler, because it’d likely still come out to be less than ordering a boot from Duo, and they are quite well-made, so they’ll last you a long time. The Tyla is just a dream boot – the comfort level is out of this world, even with having a heel to them. It’s like wearing slippers, and they look great. They are basic enough to never go out of style, and they have a subtle lacing up the back that adds a little something to keep it from being boring.

These also come in wide width, in case anyone else wants to try them.

I feel like the Boot Crusader over here or something. What do we want? “Big-ass boots!” When do we want ‘em? “Now!” This way, Aslan – to the battlefield!

Cheers,
Z.