Turns out finding boots for slender calves is even more of a trick than sourcing generous fits.
Stretch boots are an option because they typically have a narrower cut. Town Shoes’ Crissi Giamos suggests the season’s trendy over-the-knee boot as a solution (shown, Aldo over-the-knee boot, $260). Fans of more classic styles, however, may have to resort to having their boots altered.
Linda Aprile, an administrative assistant at Marsh Canada, an insurance brokerage, had her leather boots taken in at Mr. Presto Shoe Repair in Toronto’s TD Centre. “The shape didn’t change at all; he did a great job,” she says.
Owner Jimmy Langton says it’s a labour-intensive effort that requires care and precision. “I do them when I’m less busy. They take more time than stretching because they have to be fitted to the customer, and what can and cannot be done has to be explained.” He figures he does about 20 or 30 of those per year; the cost starts at about $65.
Kaner’s Handbag & Shoe Repair in Toronto’s Yorkville area also takes boots in; rates start at about $75. For a capable shoe craftsperson in your area, check with your local shoe stores for a referral.
A version of this story appears in today’s Metro News. Image courtesy of Aldo.
Got curvy calves? Click here for the wider-fit scoop.
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So true – most tall boots too large in calf for me and yet no one ever seems to mention that…until now! Thanks!
You actually have Ann-Marie Colacino at Metro News to thank for that, Janice! She has the same issue as you, and when I pitched a story on boots for larger calves, she asked that I include info for thinner-calf types too. I’m glad she did.
Any suggestions on boots that are sportier, warm & well-suited for heavy winter weathers…or shovelling snow? I can’t find too many that are attractive looking, so it could also be worn around town as well.
I’ll look into that, Wynne. I agree that finding a good meld of frosty-weather function and fashionable form is tricky. I can tell you right away La Canadienne is a good, warm, waterproof wintery brand to consider, and Timberland as well. I’ll get back to you with more.
As a gal with wee calves, I find it hard to find boots that fit snugly, but completely lucked into a great pair last winter at, of all places, Sterling!
As an FYI for Wynne above: Keen makes a number of stylish, water-resistant or waterproof boots. They’re really hard to find in stores, but you can order online. Their Bern High Boot might fit the bill:
http://www.keencanada.ca/product/fw09/shoes/women/market%20street/bern%20high%20boot
It’s so often about the luck, isn’t it, Vickie? And well-schooled store staffers! Thanks for the Keen tip :-)
Yes! Finally someone admitting that skinny calf girls have a boot problem too. Living in London, where everyone seems to have a problem with big calves, finding boots to fit was an impossibility. So impossible, I gave up and just wore ankle boots when my knee-highs gave out.
Thanks Janine & Vickie for the suggestions. I heard of La Canadienne before, but not Keen. I saw a lovely grey, suede La Canadienne boot I liked (not on their website but on Brown’s). It’s a bit pricier and it has a small heel on it, I don’t know if it’s wise to shovel snow or walk on ice with it…probably not. I have a black, suede winter boot already that has a similar heel and I mainly wear it for business casual occasions & non-extreme cold/slippery/snowy weather. So I may have to forgo this one and keep looking — sigh…
http://women.brownsshoes.com/eng_ca/product/Boots-Waterproof/68315
This one from Pajar (another Canadian company) is not bad and it looks warm, plus it’s more affordable. Something under consideration:
http://women.brownsshoes.com/eng_ca/product/Boots-Waterproof/68602
I sometimes search for months before I can find a pair of boots to fit my thin calves! Brands I’ve found that make smaller circumferences (i.e. less than 14 inches): MaxStudio, Carlos Santana, Steve Madden (sometimes–depends on the boot), Etienne Aigner, and I’m sure more–I’m still searching! Also, there’s a great company in Europe that makes boots specifically by calf circumference– http://www.duoboots.com
I may just resort to having a pair altered. I’m looking for a cognac brown, leather, side zipper, high heel, knee high boot I can wear with skinny jeans. Any suggestions?