HOW A-BOOT IT?

I recently had someone ask me where I find boots with a wider shaft.  I've mentioned before that knee-high boots are a tough item for me to find.  They are few and far between, but once in a while, I hit the jackpot.

Here are some tips and hints that have served me well in the past:

1.  I almost always look for slouchy styles.  They are much more forgiving, even when they are snug.  Plus, you can squish them down to a thinner part of your calf.  The brown boots above were found at Target a couple of year ago.  They are not an extended size, but the style is much more conducive to a wider calf.  I try to avoid styles that are straight up and down with a zipper, because the zipper will NEVER lay right on my curvy legs.

2.  Try them on, try them on, try them on ... you never know!  The boots in the top photo were a steal for $16 at Kohl's.  They are Candies, which I have found to have a wider shaft circumference on most of their styles.  I never would've thought that these would work, but was shocked when I tried them on and they fit perfectly!  They also have an adjustable buckle that helps tremendously.  Also, something with a slight heel helps to streamline the calf, making it fit in a boot even better.

3.  Don't be afraid to alter the style to best suit your needs.  The infamous red slouch boots are a major hit!  Again, I was shocked that I could even get my foot into them.  I also have a really high arch, which makes it difficult to get my heels into a flat boot.  Again, trying them on made a HUGE difference.  Originally, these boots are made to be cuffed at the top.  By uncuffing them, I was able to get an extra 2" in height, making the boots hit at a much more flattering place on my leg.  The slit in the back also helps them accommodate my wider leg.

4.  Look for places that sell extended calf boots.  One place I've had success with in the past is silhouettes.  They carry a great selection of stylish and moderately priced extended calf boots.  Also, zappos (and I'm sure there are other similar sites) include the shaft circumference of most boots in the description.  They also allow you to search for wide calf options.  Now that's service!

5.  And of course, look for materials that can be stretch, i.e. leather, suede, etc.  I have yet to shell out enough money on boots to have them made in these materials, but it is certainly another option.

If anyone has any other tips, I would love to hear them!  Just for the record, my calf measures about 16" around in the widest part and this is the smallest they've ever been.  So, take pride in those powerhouse gams and seek out the best-fitting boot you can find!  I promise, they're out there!