Wide-Calf Boots Guide

by Elegant Plus Magazine

How To Measure for the Perfect Plus-Size Boots Before You Order

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Boot season is coming up fast and every fashionista lusts after the perfect pair of stylish boots.  But, for those of us with plus-size calves that match the rest of our curvy bods, shopping for wide-calf boots can be among the most disappointing and frustrating experiences.  Fortunately retailers are getting savvy and beginning to carry more plus-size boot solutions.

But take care!  Average boot shafts are usually 14 -14 1/2 inches around. This means that boots as slender as 15 inches around can be referred to as “wide calf boots”.  But often 15 inches is still much too slim for the fashionable full-figured gal.  The good news is that 17″, 18′, 19″ and even the occasional 20 inch around boot is becoming more readily available.  Some are referred to as “extra wide” or super-size calf boots, but not all, with terms and descriptions inconsistent from shop to shop.  

So how do you know if a plus-size boot will fit you?    You might find that your leg fits at the low, middle or high end of that size range causing a boot ordered in a simple “plus-size” or “wide-calf” fit to be too snug, too loose or as Goldilocks used to say, “Just right.”   But nobody really wants to go through the whole long process poor Goldilocks went through to get to that last feeling of success.

Here are some tips for finding the perfect pair of wide calf boots and guarantee a good fit, right at the time of order!

1. Know your own calf measurement:

If you are to make sure that you can find a wide calf boot that fits you, you must know your own measurements first.   The measurement you need to have is the fullest part of your calf.

The easiest way to figure this out is to use a flexible measuring tape used by seamstresses. This inexpensive item can often be bought in the notions section of the supermarket, the sewing section of stores like Walmart and of course, sewing stores.  Place the measuring tape around the fullest part of the calf and make a note where the measuring tape overlaps. Then round to the nearest inch.  If you round down, look for boot styles with gussets or slight stretch for that added little give needed to get you the extra little bit.

Don’t have a measuring tape?  Take a piece of string and measure the widest part of the calf. Mark just where the end overlaps. Stretch it out against a ruler or yardstick.

2. Look for calf measurements in the boot descriptions:

 If the description states “wide-calf boots” or “plus-size boots”, always look for an actual shaft measurement.  The term “wide calf” covers a range of sizes beginning at a mere 15 inches in circumference all the way up to 23 inches around in super wide calf styles. Your boots should fit snuggly around the calf, without cutting off circulation. If a measurement is not stated, do not assume that it will fit you. If a boot’s shoe size is stated as  ”wide” or “extra wide”, do not assume that this also means that the boot shaft will also be wider also.  Some are, some aren’t.  Unless the description specifically states that wider widths include a wider boot shaft chances are it won’t fit you right.  Some boot shafts also gradually enlarge with shoe size. But again, this cannot be assumed. Always look for exact boot shaft measurements and compare them to your own measurements. They should be close.

3. Tips & Tricks:

Need to get an extra few centimeters? Some styles have a little more give than others. Look for lacing, side and back stretch gores, and stretch styles.  If your calf size is in the 15-16 inch range you should be able to wear stretch boots comfortably.  If your calves are wider, this style will not be comfortable and will feel too tight. Lacing offers the most comfortable option, but be careful that it won’t leave gaps. Those with 15 inch calves should be able to wear lace up boots with regular width shafts successfully, while wider calves shouldn’t rely on this feature in a non-wide calf style. Side zippers also make getting boots on and off much easier, especially for curvier calves.

4. Where to Shop

In an ideal world we would all have a shoe shop near or in our town that carried wide-calf boots, but this is even rarer than a plus-size clothes shop.   More and more cataloguers and internet retailers, however, are carrying a greater selection of wide-calf boots than ever before.  Stylish and fashionable boots are becoming more readily available at affordable prices, allowing full-figured women to indulge in boot fashions.  Follow the measuring tips above to minimize order disappointments at the shops listed below (some carry boots all year, while others only carry them in the fall and winter shopping seasons). 

Shop early for the most fashionable styles or the more difficult to find sizes.  Plus-size boots tend to fly off the shelves at most of these retailers and back-orders are not infrequent.

• Anna’s Place Wide Widths

• Audition Shoes

• Cloudwalkers (on Avenue website)

• Eddie Bauer

• Footsmart

• Jessica London

• Lane Bryant Catalog

• Macy’s

• Nordstrom 

• Roaman’s

• Silhouettes

• Torrid

• Woman Within

•  Zappos

 Keep those boots walking!

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