Knee-length boots are a must-have item for many women, either as a day-to-day option for work or something more stylish for a night out. The problem is that it can be very difficult to find a pair online with the perfect fit – especially for those for narrow calves. There are lots of slim boots out there with the promise of catering for the skinny leg, but they don’t always deliver. What can boot makers do to help women find the ideal fit?
Why is it so difficult to find a good fit?
The problem of finding the ideal boot, fit for a slim calf comes down to the problem of averages. Brands like to categorize women into broad groups and expect them to find their ideal fit under a rough banner. It happens with clothes sizes like “petite”, with styles of jeans and with our boots. The problem is that every woman is shaped differently. A long leg does not mean a thicker calf. Athletic women will have a different shape and tone and still require a snug fit. Some fashion blogs may recommend visiting a cobbler or getting boot cuffs to make them more snug, but this is too much effort when boot makers should be doing more to help.
What can manufacturers do with their products to help skinny calved women?
The best way that boot manufacturers can help is by providing a series of measurements. There are four measurements that we will tend to see when shopping for boots online: the height of the shaft, the height of the heel, the circumference of the top of the shaft and the circumference around the ankle. According to most brands, this is all we need to determine whether or not a boot will fit properly.
What this doesn’t account for is the actual width of the calf. If you have a knee length boot, the circumference at the top does not relate to the circumference of the widest part of the calf. This is the area that skinny legged women are struggling with. A simple measurement in this area could be the difference between a perfect fit and a wasted purchase.
Different boots of different measurements is a great start for diversifying a product line, but there are still going to be women that don’t get the best fit because they still don’t fit the mold. This is where adjustable boots come in handy. Boots that can be let out or taken in by an inch or so can provide a better fit. Smaller sizes with elastic panels work well, as do boots with working straps or lacing around the calf area. Many brands like to add decorative buckles in this area for style, so it is not too much to ask to make them functional.
A few small efforts can really help women with narrow calves shop for boots online
Slim legged women already feel as though they are being punished for having thinner legs, so there is no need for manufacturers to make them feel worse by making them wear ill-fitting boots or forcing them to pay out for adjustments. With a few more sizing options, a clearer emphasis on the calf area in the specification and some adjustable elements, it will be easier for women to find the perfect slim calved boot.
I need a boot in size 8-9 with a slim or narrow foot and a slim calf. Leather would be nice. And, something under 150 dollars is preferred. Any boot I’ve ordered online I have always sent back. Guess boots fit great for my feet. However, I haven’t found any in knee high styles.