I'm a big fan of this cheery little mod jumper, recently acquired from the oft-disappointing Mister Isaac Mizrahi for Target (tights or leggings are essential). There seems to be lots of Target talk around here right now...hmmm.
On a totally unrelated note, oh, how I wish for slender calves that slip more gracefully into knee-high boots. Is anyone else plagued by the calf-boot-conundrum?
Comments (42)
You made me smile... I understand your conundrum. Mine is worse. I have the thighs that stretch tights and over-the-knees too thin. Below the knee, I am not as thick. ;)
WendyZ · September 13, 2007 at 02:04 PM
I can rarely find boots that fit over my calves of power. And mine aren't that big. I feel sorry for ladies with more powerful thighs than mine. Stinkin shoe people!
Sarah · September 13, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Awww! I looove this outfit! I couldn't get away with it but you look awesome. :)
Marilyn · September 13, 2007 at 02:18 PM
That is such a cute outfit!
aj · September 13, 2007 at 02:35 PM
I too feel your pain with the whole calf situation, my calves are like 18" around at the widest part and to make things worse my ankles are little bird like things,this is not a good combination for the tall black boots that I covet every fall/winter.
Laura · September 13, 2007 at 02:55 PM
so cute! I love my curvy legs but it's so hard to find cute boots that fit (I have small feet and ankles) and are flattering! I hear ya on that one.
andrea · September 13, 2007 at 03:11 PM
I haven't worn boots (other than snowboots which have to be below the bulge of the calf) in years because of the calf issue!! I did find a pair to find my calves at Banana Republic last year, and there was much rejoicing.
Gina · September 13, 2007 at 03:19 PM
The shipping might be pricey for you since its a UK company, but you could try
http://www.duoboots.com/
:)
Catherine · September 13, 2007 at 03:29 PM
-Just wanted to let you know that the grass on the other side (of what?) isn't so green. I have very skinny little legs making every pair of boots I've ever attempted to wear look really clumsy- like standing in buckets or something. ::sniffle, sniffle:: Vanity is such a funny thing.
Julie · September 13, 2007 at 03:49 PM
I completely understand the calves issue. Even when I was tiny, my legs were always thick and strong...I don't loathe myself, just the boot designers who can't get with the program.
Laura · September 13, 2007 at 03:51 PM
ah i am a few minutes too late on suggesting duo boots. :) this is the only place i have seen wider calf boots that are even remotely non generic and attractive. Alas, they are quite expensive so i won't be getting any in the near future. I like that they let you pick your calf size though so really the price is reasonable for custom fit boots.
I've been eying these
http://www.duoboots.com/calf_fitted_boots/casual/metz
and these
http://www.duoboots.com/calf_fitted_boots/dress/penna
in particular for a while.
Happy boot shopping!
trina · September 13, 2007 at 03:54 PM
I'll just chime in and say I can totally relate! I want boots! Waaaahhh!!
After reading Laura's measurement, I measured my own... yup, another 18 incher here. My ankles are also pretty thick but my feet are proportionally small. :( Ack! So I can either find boots that kinda fit my calves but are like clown shoes on me or ones that fit my feet but won't go up. Poo.
I am off now to check out Duo Boots!!
kelly · September 13, 2007 at 04:06 PM
Supersigh! I am part of big calves party! I just bought three delicious pairs of cowboy boots from the salvation army only to discover that they were all wrinkling under the power of the super calvew. oh well, i least I can kick people well! and i always win the feet together push your boyfriend off the couch game!
TumTum · September 13, 2007 at 05:17 PM
oh yes ~ my calves equate to boot woes indeed but most places will stretch them for you in very little time so long as they are leather ...
daisies · September 13, 2007 at 05:33 PM
oh man, any knee-high boots I have ever tried had been forcefully peeled over my calves, and result in fallen-asleep-feet within minutes. On the other hand, I have received compliments on my shapely legs so I've decided not to complain!
I love your style and your blogs!
Amanda · September 13, 2007 at 05:47 PM
i too suffer from big calves syndrome. find a really good shoemaker though and your life will be forever changes. a little properly placed elastic and reinforcement and viola! happy boots!
shana · September 13, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Wowee, those Duo Penna boots. I could be Mary Poppins in those boots! Oh, how I am pining for them!
Shelby · September 13, 2007 at 09:57 PM
I'm flying a flag for the skinny-calved girls here - I have skinny little legs that look ridiculous in all knee high boots - I look like I'm wearing a pair of fishing waders or something......boo hoo....
Like most things, the happy medium seems to be in the middle somewhere.....
*sniff*
xxx
Leah · September 14, 2007 at 12:20 AM
I feel you on the calves. I have resigned myself to ankle boots or half zipped up knee boots (under jeans/pants). *le sigh*
Audrey · September 14, 2007 at 12:47 AM
Alright, they make those great boots for tall people. Shorter legs just are not proportioned to fit into those boots.
You can gain some extra room by taking them to a shoe maker, and getting the zipper taken out and a wider one put in, or an elastic panel in place of the zipper.
Or, converting them to lace-up boots. Add eyelets and shoelaces.
Or, getting them stretched.
Or, wearing black legwarmers over your ankleboots. Trixy!
Julie Morrison · September 14, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Another big calves girl. They're really only an inch too big which really sucks. I bought some boots that I adore and of course, I only tried on one in the store. One leg fits, but the other did not. So I did what any desperate girl would do: applied a lot of muscle to make it work. Soft leather stretches. Then I went and bought some leather stretcher spray at the shoe store and sprayed it before stuffing them with rolls of tape the right circumference.
A better option would probably be to find a cobbler and have them stretch it for you. They can also add little elastic pieces to make them fit.
There's always hope!
Emy · September 14, 2007 at 03:27 AM
Love the jumper and your style!
Lana · September 14, 2007 at 07:29 AM
Fun outfit. And I'm with ya on the calves frustration. Only about 1 in 10 knee-high boots fit over mine. :(
Shawn · September 14, 2007 at 08:08 AM
YES. Some ladies I know have formed a Big Calf Club. Mostly we just find funny things to compare our calves to (cans of crushed tomatoes, grapefruit being eaten by a snake, misplaced muscle men biceps...) I have Frye Campus knee-high boots and they are quite roomy, but don't seem to fit your aesthetic. I've also had luck with a Sketchers brand called Sketchers Lab-something. Soho Lab Defiance boots. I love these, they're matte leather and lined in plaid with random stitching. They look like something grown up Miette would wear:
http://www.amazon.com/Skechers-Soho-Womens-Defiance-Shaft/dp/B000GDBL9K/ref=pd_sbs_a_1_img/105-1722450-8378034
Cirilia · September 14, 2007 at 08:40 AM
you look so lovely in red. :)
my favourite boots lace up to the knee so it's like cheating but has kept me happy...though my personal irk is my knees and my love of knee/over-the-knee socks do not get along. we just...agree to disagree.
shimelle.~* · September 14, 2007 at 08:43 AM
I have had the calf-boot-problem for some time now. I've been searching for months for knee high boots only to be disapointed because they will not zip up. I suppose I'll just have to settle for the kind that lace all the way up.
Kara · September 14, 2007 at 11:15 AM
yes with the calves! ugghh!! love the jumper! i love when things at target work out- not always the case unfortunately!
heather · September 14, 2007 at 11:54 AM
yes with the calves! ugghh!! love the jumper! i love when things at target work out- not always the case unfortunately!
heather · September 14, 2007 at 11:54 AM
What a gorgeous dress - it really suits you! I too struggle with boots but I'll just wear my pretty heels instead :)
Swirlyarts · September 14, 2007 at 01:18 PM
sadly i am on the opposite end of the scale...i weep at the inability to ever find a pair of knee highs that fit my 'calf lacking' spinderly legs...
Tif · September 14, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Yes, my calves barely slip into my socks, much less boots :(
Stephanie · September 14, 2007 at 04:35 PM
What a lovely color on you!
Another here for the calves not fitting into knee high boots! I worked at 9West store years ago and would drool at all the boots every fall and winter, but alas even at a size 6 my calfs were too big for the boots!
Elizebeth · September 14, 2007 at 07:09 PM
oh yes, I can relate to the calf issue! I just ordered boots from Zappos...the Irwin boots. They are a gorgeous brown, knee high boot. But I can't get them over my calves... : (
I love them so much, I am considering taking them to the shoemaker to get elastics put in the back at the seam.
Geez it seems like too much effort!! I wonder how much it will cost? ugh
Jennifer · September 14, 2007 at 07:22 PM
i've never quite understood how a person such as myself, 5'7", 130 lbs, can be plagued with calves that are 16 inches around. boots rarely fit properly and sometimes i don't want to search for boots with the inside zipper. sadly, i cannot fit into slip on knee highs. according to many of these comments, boot designers need to get a clue about real women and our shape variations.
r.j. · September 14, 2007 at 10:55 PM
i bought two tops and a sweater from target today. and i bought 5 pairs of knee highs last week. have you checked out their new knee highs for fall? they have some great ones.
risa · September 15, 2007 at 05:49 PM
JCrew also carries "extended calf" styles for many of their knee-high boots.
Julie · September 18, 2007 at 09:38 AM
I have NEVER fit into any high boots. And I love them so. I'm tiny too. Makes no sense. Stupid boot makers.
angela · September 21, 2007 at 02:19 PM
I'm one of the skinny calf girls and can agree that while we can get them on, they immediately bag and look horrible (and as leather ages, they only get baggier). Why can't manufacturers make two or three widths so we can all get boots? I've got friends with the big calf problem and between us, we find it nearly impossible to get boots--and, yes, we'd buy them if they made them to fit.
moya · September 24, 2007 at 10:40 AM
You are always just the cutest thing.
XOXOXO
Rhonda · September 29, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Hey gals,
I think someone has already mentioned them but duo.com are the way to go. They do small calf sizes and big calf sizes so everyone is a winner. I love these myself
http://www.duoboots.com/calf_fitted_boots/casual/elba
Sarah · October 10, 2007 at 10:30 AM
be glad you have bigger calves... your leg warmers stay up! i have skinny calves and they fall right off.. ;(
and judging from your style and love of avian necklaces, i bet you'd like hotcakes jewelry... check them out online.. they have a gorgeous oriole/raven carved necklace that i just got...
beth · October 18, 2007 at 04:14 PM
OMG I so have that issue my calves are so much larger I have had to actually have the leather man add elastic in the sides and it worked too!
Lindsey · October 26, 2007 at 01:09 PM