Three dozen hand-picked styles for thin calves
Like many women, I love shoes, and boots in particular. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect pair. What makes the quest challenging is that although I run a few times a week and try to build up some muscle, my calves remain chicken-leg scrawny. Their circumference at the widest point is a bit shy of 12 inches. Most knee-high boots, by contrast, are sized at more than 14 inches around. So they flop around on me in a way that's appropriate for, say, a fun pair of wellies, but not for styles meant to be snug.
Online research tells me I'm not the only woman with this problem. There's a small but determined Sisterhood of the Scrawny Leg on the web. Unfortunately, many recommendations run toward the fiscally impractical (four-figure Chanel, Prada, Jimmy Choo--as if!). I can't spend a month's mortgage on boots, and if you can't either, you've come to the right place. I've done the legwork ;) and found an array of styles to fit skinny calves on a relatively skinny budget.
Online research tells me I'm not the only woman with this problem. There's a small but determined Sisterhood of the Scrawny Leg on the web. Unfortunately, many recommendations run toward the fiscally impractical (four-figure Chanel, Prada, Jimmy Choo--as if!). I can't spend a month's mortgage on boots, and if you can't either, you've come to the right place. I've done the legwork ;) and found an array of styles to fit skinny calves on a relatively skinny budget.
Stretchy Boots
Stretch leather and faux leather, stretch suede, and stretch fabric boots generally have a smaller circumference, relying on their stretch to accommodate a range of sizes: helpful for both thin calves and wide calves. I've owned 3 pair of stretch boots and found them cute, comfy, and versatile.
Aerosoles Women's Lasticity Tall Boot
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Franco Sarto Women's Maritime Knee-High Boot
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Sanzia Women's Fly Stretch Riding Boot
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Cole Haan Air Rosalyn Stretch Boot (Dark Chocolate, 8.5)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Fitzwell Women's Luna Boot,Navy Stretch,8 M US
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Camper Women's 46334 Mamba Knee-High Boot,Lisboa,38 M EU / 8 B(M) US
Amazon Price: $92.42 (as of 11/21/2011)
Nine West Women's Pickwick Boot,Black Synthetic,10 M US
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
BCBGirls Karen Boot,Black,10 M
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Aquatalia by Marvin K. Women's Flinch Knee-High Boot,Black Nappa Stretch Suede,9.5 B US
Amazon Price: $695.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Franco Sarto Women's Trees Boot,Chestnut Petrol,6 M
Amazon Price: $46.56 (as of 11/21/2011)
Camper Women's Barbara Boot,Mouse,37 M EU / 7 B(M) US
Amazon Price: $240.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Lacoste Women's Monopol3 Boot,Black,7.5 M US
Amazon Price: $155.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Van Eli Women's Reita 13 1/2" Boot - 7M Black
Amazon Price: $159.95 (as of 11/21/2011)
MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Women's Bromley Wedge Boot (Black Leather 7.5 M)
Amazon Price: $225.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Calvin Klein Women's Marinah Boot,Black Leather,9 US/7UK
Amazon Price: $209.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Bromley Flat Boot 40F9BOFB5L - Michael By Michael Kors - 9.5 - MOCHA
Amazon Price: $151.74 (as of 11/21/2011)
Lace-Up Boots
Tighten to your heart's content with these styles. The extra minute it takes to tie them up is worth it for a custom fit.
FRYE Women's Melissa Tall Lace Boot,Dark Brown,7.5 M US
Amazon Price: $397.95 (as of 11/21/2011)
Charles David Women's Griot Knee-High Boot,Black,9 M US
Amazon Price: $315.29 (as of 11/21/2011)
Biviel Women's BV1708 Motorcycle Boot,Sha Black,37 EU (US Women's 6.5 M)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Wanted Women's Queen Lace Up Boot ,Tan,10 M US
Amazon Price: $50.98 (as of 11/21/2011)
Dr. Martens Women's 1B60 Boot,Black,6 UK (US Women's 8 M)
Amazon Price: $117.99 (as of 11/21/2011)
Charles David Women's Rigorous Knee-High Boot,Black,6.5 M US
Amazon Price: $219.54 (as of 11/21/2011)
Buckled Boots
Like lace-ups, these are adjustable, for a custom fit. The buckles also add a bit of edge that can be very appealing.
Wanted Shoes Women's Foursome Knee-High Boot
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Vince Camuto Women's Fivvy Knee-High Boot
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
New Cole Haan Air Whitley Buckle Black Ladies 7.5 $350
Amazon Price: $299.99 (as of 11/21/2011)
Jeffrey Campbell France-Hi High Heel Knee High Boot - Grey Suede
Amazon Price: $447.92 (as of 11/21/2011)
Corso Como Women's Saddle Buckle Boot,Dark Chocolate Nubuck Multi,7.5 M US
Amazon Price: $101.51 (as of 11/21/2011)
Ariat Women's Highland Boot
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Fergie Women's Citizen Boot,Black,9.5 M US
Amazon Price: $180.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Fergalicious Women's Standup Knee-High Boot,Black,7.5 M US
Amazon Price: $84.99 (as of 11/21/2011)
VANELi Women's Roxanna Knee-High Boot,Black,9.5 W US
Amazon Price: $86.98 (as of 11/21/2011)
La Canadienne!
Stylish and waterproof (!) La Canadienne boots have earned quite a following among thin-calved ladies. "A great fit for chicken legs!" cheers one reviewer, with others seconding her impression. Most styles will break the $300 mark, but for a good fit it might be well worth a try. The "Galaxy" style lists a 12.5 inch circumference, which is about the smallest I've seen outside of the designer labels.
La Canadienne Women's Passion Leather Riding Boot,Black,8.5 M
Amazon Price: $279.46 (as of 11/21/2011)
La Canadienne Women's Galaxy Boot,Black,7.5 M
Amazon Price: $298.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
La Canadienne Women's Ramona Tall Boot,Black,6.5 M US
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
La Canadienne Women's Kloe Knee-High Boot,Stone Oil Suede,8 M US
Amazon Price: $364.95 (as of 11/21/2011)
More Thin-Calf Boots
Here, the latest on my skinny calf treasure hunt. All of these styles list a calf circumference of 13.5 inches or less. Thanks Katya (comments) for the tip on Gee WaWa! The "Wing" and "Blair" styles list a 12.5-inch circumference -- small enough for even my chicken legs.
Gee WaWa Women's Wing Boot,Espresso Vegetable,8.5 M US
12.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Gee WaWa Women's Blaire Boot,Black,8 M US
12.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $259.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Modern Vintage Women's Diana Boot,Chocolate,8.5 M US
13.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $138.50 (as of 11/21/2011)
VANELi Women's Rosita Knee-High Boot,Ebony,9 S US
13.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $100.55 (as of 11/21/2011)
Camper Women's 46300 Spiral Boot,Negro,39 M EU / 9 B(M) US
13.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $220.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
New A2 by Aerosoles Big Finale Black Ladies 8 $90
13.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $63.99 (as of 11/21/2011)
Fergie Women's Limit Knee-High Boot,Black,7.5 M US
13.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $189.95 (as of 11/21/2011)
Sam Edelman Women's Orlando Faux Fur Boot,Putty,7.5 M US
13.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $79.60 (as of 11/21/2011)
Steve Madden Women's Candence Boot,Cognac Leather,7.5 M US
13 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $80.00 (as of 11/21/2011)
Nine West Women's Elspet Knee-High Boot,Black Synthetic,8.5 M US
13.5 inch calf circumference
Amazon Price: $106.14 (as of 11/21/2011)
Aquatalia Winter Boots
For the rainy and snowy months, which number about 9 out of 12 where we live (sigh), I've had tremendous luck with Aquatalia by Marvin K. I have 2 pair that I live in for weeks on end. The weatherproofing-plus-style combo kicks up the price, but you can sometimes find them on sale. Both of my Aquatalia boot styles run snug in the calf.
Aquatalia by Marvin K. Women's Kate Boot,Espresso Suede,9.5 M US
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Aquatalia by Marvin K. Women's Avery Boot,Brown,11 M
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Aquatalia by Marvin K. Women's Wasabi 5 Boot,Black weatherproof specchio weatherproof patent,6.5 M US
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Aquatalia by Marvin K. Women's Quell Boot,Black Suede,6 M
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Aquatalia by Marvin K. Women's Riso Boot,Toffee,10 M
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Aquatalia by Marvin K. Women's Wisk Rain Boot,Black,6 M
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2011)
Made-to-Measure Boots
UK-based DUO is well known in the scrawny-calf community for offering boots you can customize by calf size. Choose from more than a dozen boot styles in 21 calf sizes, most offered from 30 centimeters (about 11.8 inches) up to 50. DUO's stores are in Britain, but you can order online, too, and the company now offers free shipping worldwide. The only drawback is the price: not a month's mortgage, but a bit splurge-y at $200 to $500 a pair.Vintage Boots
I was intrigued by a tip from one skinny-calf sister who says she always buys vintage boots, and they fit great. I'm kind of assuming you'd need to find '70s or earlier for a significantly narrower fit. Worth a look, maybe? Happy hunting :)
Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo Knee High Women's Boots 6.5
Current Bid: $385.00
Time Remaining: 16 days, 6 hours, 56 minutes
Women's 1978 Vintage Frye Campus Knee-High Black Label Boots Size 10 B
Current Bid: $59.00
Time Remaining: 4 days, 16 hours, 21 minutes
Vintage Blue Knee High Riding Leather Women's Boots 8 M
Current Bid: $99.99
Time Remaining: 20 days, 15 hours, Less than 1 minute
Vintage Brown Leather Riding Knee High Boots Women's 6
Current Bid: $129.99
Time Remaining: 22 days, 15 hours, 7 minutes
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