Happy Friday, Stylenation! I'm back in pink today. The real highlight of this outfit for me is the scarf (Style Underdog, did you remember your scarf today?). I bought it at Jule, an Ohio-based accessory store that really needs to expand to Chicago, while visiting my family last fall. They had a 2-for-1 deal going, so my mom has a very similar one (the color palette is blue), which I think is pretty cool. And it's so pretty, even Jude can't take his eyes off of it.
I have something to confess: I have some serious boot envy. I've been admiring all kinds of beautiful and sassy boots while walking around town and even in my office. Just this morning I saw a nice pair of cognac leather knee-high boots with a slight heel. And on Wednesday, when a random girl that works on my floor who I've never met or even seen before stopped me to ask about these shoes, I couldn't stop checking out her grey suede boots. And there's no escape online. I'm getting all kinds of boot inspiration from A-Dubs, Sal, Gina, and Sheila, to name a few. And there's all the boot porn, like Rad's, D-Med's and KellyBean's. This morning, I saw Kristen's new boots and just couldn't take it any more.
There's just one problem - I have a near impossible time finding boots that actually fit my calves. The issue used to be that they were a little too pudgy for most boots, so I've been doing 3 days/week of cardio and strength training, plus a ton of walking, in hopes that my calves would get smaller. They have, but they're evidently still too big for most boots because they might actually be getting muscular. However, I saw these boots on sale at Piperlime, noted that they are wide-shaft and simply had to have them. Or at least try them on.
They are pretty basic, but that's what I'm looking for. Just something nice to wear with all of my skirts and dresses this winter. And Naturalizer is usually pretty comfy, so that's a plus.
Knee-high boots are something that I always admire and want, but can never seem to make work for me. Do you have anything like that? How do you get around it?
Sweater: Loft
Scarf: Jule
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: Privo
Earrings: Hazel
Headband: Enjoy, an Urban General Store
Edited to add scarf close-up
I have the same problem! My calves are very muscular thanks to decades of ballet dancing.
ReplyDeleteI have tried on wide calf styles, but there are so few options in an affordable price range. I hate being restricted in my options!
So I end up buying what I love, but just 2 sizes larger. That way, they fit my calf, and I just wear 2 pairs of socks to fit the foot part.
I realize that's not for everyone, though.
My calves are kind of skinny in comparison to the rest of me, so I have to opposite problem where boots are often too wide.
ReplyDeleteI have been seriously wanting a pair of brown boots, but haven't talked myself into buying them.
SO glad you splashed out on this pair. I know calf-fit is a pain in the hiney for many women, but tracking down a pair of tall boots that you just adore is a worthwhile endeavor! Let us know if they work.
ReplyDeleteAnon: My snow boots are a size too big, and it drives me crazy no matter how many pairs of socks I wear! And I wear a size 10 already, so an 11 makes my feet look even bigger than they already are. It's definitely not for me, but if it works for you, go with it :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca: I'd say I envy your problem, but I'm sure it's just as annoying. I wonder if anyone else reading has the same issue and has some advice.
Sal: I know tall boots are an essential (weren't they on one of your lists?), so I've been on the hunt for SEVERAL years. Here's hoping that I finally found the pair for me!
I have the same problem, but I think in my case (and maybe yours?) is that I'm really short and so the boots are narrow where my calf is its largest (13"). Hopefully that makes sense. Anyway, I searched on zappos recently for "wide calf boots" and some came up. There are also websites that specialize in that. Maybe try it? I wonder what measurement constitutes wide calf anyway?
ReplyDeleteSlingbacks. I have skinny heels, and though I love slingbacks they never stay put.
ReplyDeleteI love that Naturalizer makes wider shaft option in their boots. Come on, shoe companies! Help us love you!
I have big calves for a small girl. It IS annoying especially because I have wide feet so it looks more like a big open pipe and then it just slouches at my ankles an dmakes me look shorter than I already am.
ReplyDeleteCLOTHED MUCH, a modest fashion blog
I can't wait to see what these look like styled up, Anne. They're very classic.
ReplyDelete@Elaine: I have wide calves and wide feet. There is nothing elegant about me below the knees. So I like lace up and adjustable boots for this reason. (I've tried on Campers but they were to durn uncomfortable). I love the look of tall boots but have difficulty finding a pair that works.
Jude is just too adorable. That scarf is a beaut as are the boots!
ReplyDeleteI love boots, too. Once the weather turns cold, my feet feel kind of chilly in anything else (maybe because they're big, and so much of me is on the ground). I have a collection of boots as a result. Naturalizers are great--and so are my Earth boots (I have two pairs--one lace-up brown, one slouchy black). Lest you think me extravagant, I buy them all on eBay in the summer, when they're dirt cheap.
ReplyDeleteBoot companies should stop discriminating against those of us who have rippling calves.
ReplyDeleteI get boot envy all the time, just your description of the cognac knee highs is enough to make me wish they were mine...
ReplyDeleteHope the piperlime boots workout!
I really hope those work for you, as they are fabulous! I have the opposite problem -- slouchy boots often scoot down my disproportionately toothpicky calves. I bought a gorgeous suede pair a couple of years ago only to have them flapping about my ankles. I just end up having to return them. If I want knee-high boots they have to be structured.
ReplyDeleteA thing I can never make work for me is the totally flat, cheap, colorful ballerina flats (like E Jo gets from the grocery store) they have been known to spontaneously fly off my feet while walking, and I get tremendous arch pain when wearing them. That's why I have those Ecco "ballerina flats" with the hidden wrapped heel.
'Good boot find, Anne! And like Jude, I can't look away from the beautiful scarf either. I'm scrolling up. . . 'Back. That is sa-weet. Can we have a close-up?
ReplyDeleteI can't do boots that don't have either super-stretchy panels or zippers. My in-step is freakishly high, so my feet won't fit down the shaft of those suckers.
Also, I do the thing someone else talked about above: I buy boots a size or two bigger so the shafts fit my legs. Or I have them professionally stretched (usually takes a week or more). Even then, they're super-squeezy and take ages to stretch out, so sometimes I have bruises.
Thanks for the close-up. That scarf is LOVEly.
ReplyDeleteWell, I ended up shipping those boots back, but I have a new pair of chestnut Franco Sartos on their way, so we shall see. I like to have a couple of pairs of boots for the season. I am the same as you, my calves are a little big. I don't need the wide-calves but a 15-inch is usually best for me. That takes a lot of searching to find the right ones!
ReplyDeleteSO glad you splashed out on this pair. I know calf-fit is a pain in the hiney for many women, but tracking down a pair of tall boots that you just adore is a worthwhile endeavor! Let us know if they work.
ReplyDeleteAnon: My snow boots are a size too big, and it drives me crazy no matter how many pairs of socks I wear! And I wear a size 10 already, so an 11 makes my feet look even bigger than they already are. It's definitely not for me, but if it works for you, go with it :)
ReplyDeleteRebecca: I'd say I envy your problem, but I'm sure it's just as annoying. I wonder if anyone else reading has the same issue and has some advice.
Sal: I know tall boots are an essential (weren't they on one of your lists?), so I've been on the hunt for SEVERAL years. Here's hoping that I finally found the pair for me!