I was shopping for some camel colored knee-high boots last night, and found quite a few pairs, all of which zipped up the side. The problem was, none of them would zip up further than the middle of my calf. I wear a size 7, and I tried up to a size 10, but my calves appeared to be too fat for any boots I had tried on. I’ve seen many, many women with legs much thicker than mine wear this type of boot and look comfortable doing it, so I know there is hope for me yet. Is there any place I can find a wider (no pun intended) selection? BTW, I tried Charlotte Russe, local shoe stores, Macy’s, Wet Seal, and Nordstrom. Or has anyone else had a similar problem but managed to find a boot that fit?
I have the same problem! I wear a 7.5 and the zip up boots are a nightmare. Get the ones you simply pull up - I have black suede ones that are very soft and they just pull right on! They are much more comfortable to walk in too, plus you don’t look like a Marine seargent.
I saw those in the stores, too! They came in suede and even soft, plush velvet and I was dying to try them on, but every pair was mid-thigh, and not knee-high. Is there anywhere where you can find the same kind but in knee-high variety?
You guys have the exact opposite problem as me. I have to take my boots to the shoe repair dude and have him TAKE THEM IN! Otherwise, they’re bobblin’ around on my leg like some funky fireman’s boots or something. It costs $80 a pair to have it done, but for the first time in my life, my boots fit.
I don’t know where you could go, but maybe a store that specializes in wider width shoes.
Interesting. My wife and I were shopping some weeks ago and we saw some cool boots that I would have bought for her, but her calves were too big as well. She does have large calves, but it was a dissapointment for her.
Annoying. Ah, well. At least y’all have more interesting options in footwear to begin with.
J Crew sells wide-calf versions of a few of their boots. You can see those selections here.
I got mine from the Lane Bryant catalog. They’re Regency brand and have laces up the back so you can adjust the size of the shaft (now doesn’t that sound dirty!) Anyway, even though it’s a catalog for larger sized clothing, they carry regular to wide width sized shoes. I also got a pair of microfiber boots that stretch to fit and have high heels–they look so hot!
Here’s a link to the boots:
http://www.lbcatalog.com/lbcatalog/product/product.asp?pf_id=17208&dept_id=853&parent_id=&rootdept=853&
Also, don’t get Lane Bryant clothing stores confused with the Lane Bryant Catalog–they’re not exactly the same thing and you won’t find shoes at the clothing store website.
Kalhoun, you lucky duck. 
The thing was, the boots actually fit perfectly, but wouldn’t zip up. So I think I will go looking for a pair I can just pull up. And Gorgon, maybe you could find her a pair similar to the one you saw, but in the style jellen described for Christmas or her birthday. And thank you, gallows fodder, for the link! I’ll check that out now.
I didn’t see your post on preview, lauramarlane. Those lace-up boots are to die for!
For about $35 a reputable shoe person can put an elastic gusset – basically a triangularly shaped elastic insert – at the top of your boot. For one it makes the top a bit wider, for two, it allows some stretch as you are putting on your boots.
This works well for boots which are made of relatively thick leathers and are intended to be worn form-fitting.
I have the same problem with a new pair of riding boots I bought (I bought them figuring I’d have to have them stretched or a gusset put in). My old riding boots are scratched up and have been resoled twice (They’re about 20 years old, I guess) and these were a great deal, despite the fact the calf didn’t fit. I do think they can stretch them to some extent, although I don’t know if it’ll have enough give for my needs.
StG
St. Germain… For riding boots you can get the gusset put in or you can have them put in zippers down the back seam (costs $100 or so… gulp). I wear nylons and use Propert’s Boot-slip (silicone spray) to get my tall boots on. I have it down to a science now, but once upon a time it took a team of three to get them off me, that’s how tight they were.
Hello Again - yep dressage boots. Because I have short legs, the break in time’s a bitca, because they jab me behind my knee until they start to slouch a little at the ankles. Maybe I should stick with my old pair (now getting more than a little tight, I’m sorry to say). I can just tell myself that the wear is a badge of honour. On the inner calf I’ve worn off most of the black. My sister bought the boots for me in England in the early 80’s. Don’t suppose you want a nice pair of 7 1/2’s?
StG
Ok - here is a link of the boots I’m talkin’ about:
And they are knee-high, not thigh high, so you don’t have to look like Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman”.
Try aldo or those pleather kind that doesnt have a zipper and stretches to your leg.
So who on earth do these boots fit?! I just tried on every single pair of boots in two different malls, and they flop around my legs like galoshes. It is sooo unfair. 
Unfortunately, I can’t be of much help: all the boots I’ve picked up have been at second-hand stores. (Including one from Sak’s with the sale tags attached.) One of the knee-high boots I have is rather wide in the calf, but has a smallish buckle in the back so I can tighten them up. That’s another alternative besides gussets and laces.
But I do like all the links to boots… No wait, must… not… get… more… boots!
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Zsofia, I have the same problem. I posted earlier in the thread. Get them taken in at a shoe repair. It’s expensive, but you will finally have boots that fit! I’m very pleased with mine. They look perfect!
If you’re short, those zip up boots simply won’t budge past mid-calf. I found a great pair of pull up stretchy ones at Kohl’s. Mootsie Tootsies makes them.