Cute Boots for Skinny Calves
Handpicked styles for thin legsLike many women, I love shoes, and boots in particular. I’m always on the hunt for the perfect pair. What makes the quest challenging is that although I run a few times a week and try to build some muscle, my calves remain chicken leg scrawny. Their circumference at the widest point is a bit shy of 12 inches. Most knee high boots, by contrast, are sized at 14+ inches around. So they flop around on me in a way that’s appropriate for, say, a fun pair of wellies, but not for styles meant to be snug.
[photo (mine): The Solemani Gabi provides that snug fit up top that we’re looking for more info below]
Several years of online research tell me I’m not the only woman with this problem. There is a small but determined Sisterhood of the Scrawny Leg on the web. I can’t spend a month’s mortgage on boots, and if you can’t either, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve done the legwork 😉 and found an array of [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] styles to fit slim calves on a relatively slender budget. Note: I do continuous research updates to keep this page fresh and very much welcome your tips in the Comments section below.
StretchyStretchy leather/faux leather, suede, and [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] fabric boots generally have a smaller circumference, relying on their give to accommodate a range of sizes which is helpful for legs on both ends of the spectrum. I’ve owned 3 pair of stretch boots and found them cute, comfy, and versatile.
If you like the Pliner Nellie, for a better idea of shaft snugness height. (Spoiler *****: It’s tall fitted.)
Blondo Women’s Louna Knee High Boot,Black Nativo,8 M USFitted through the ankle, too
As of summer 2024 you can get some Aquatalias on sale, as I did mine. Still pricey, but the discount takes some of the pain away. I’m hoping they’ll eventually restock the label’s Mona style, as the 2 1/2 inch heel makes it so versatile just a bit taller than "kitten." Solemani is the only brand I know of that has produced a specifically labeled "slim calf collection" of boots. May they inspire others to do the same!
SoleMani Women’s Gabi Knee High Boot, BLack Leather, 8.5MThis company does us the courtesy of including a calf even ankle circumference chart by [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] shoe size. Wish that were standard practice!
Vince Camuto VacillaSadly, this stylish military inspired boot is almost gone (everywhere), but as of mid July there are about many at awesome prices. This one measured, when I tried it (see photos below), a bit bigger around the leg than originally listed on retail sites, but it’s still narrower than average. Keep in mind that I wear a size 8, and sizes smaller than that will be smaller in circumference as well.
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Here’s the Vacilla boot with stockings, on my 12 inch calf.
Here’s the same boot with knit tights.
designer steal of the century? I thought I was very clever, getting these wonderfully slim $325 retail Donald Pliners for $199 (huge thanks to Anj, who passed on this tip another great one in the earlier days of this page), but eventually they went down to $119, and now they’re $109 ack! Here they are, for your reference, over skinny cords on my just under 12" calves. The croc pattern I bought is now sold out everywhere, but these also come in an arguably [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] more versatile black suede brown suede both on offer for that incredible price at the (my current fave for clothing as well as shoe deals), which still has a range of sizes as of mid April. Spray some waterproofer on these budget friendly babies head out into the spring 🙂
also see.
Kors Arley and Aquatalia Orso (stunning riding boots, both pictured here on my skinny legs)
Enzo Angiolini Zareh; Vaneli Rian Vimy styles,To Boot Avery; BCBG Erinn (with back laces for extra tightening); Aquatalia Unity, Star, Umpa, Under Diane styles, Ara Tilly; Stuart Weitzman Grounded; Frye Chelsea Riding; Joan David Zadarah
LaceupTighten to your heart’s content with these styles. The extra minute it takes to tie them up is worth it for a custom fit. If you pick a style like the Fryes shown below that also feature a narrow calf circumference, you shouldn’t even have to tighten all that much. Lacing can only go so far if the circumference is large, so if your gams are quite thin, avoid styles over 15 around or you might get some gapping.
The budget friendly Ballard is right at 15 but did earn positive reviews from some slim calved wearers.
Fun fact: The Melissa, below, is reportedly what Jennifer Lawrence wore in the "Hunger Games" movie.
FRYE Women’s Melissa Tall Lace Boot,Brown,5.5 M US Buy Now
Ron White is a Canadian comfort plus style guru whose footwear has attracted the likes of Matt Damon and Christina Hendricks. I contacted the company about this luxe looking back lacing style, found out the calf is 13 inches around at size 7, which is an excellent starting point from which to tighten further as needed. Not cheap, but a clearance price as of June 2024 offers serious savings. (Try code SUMMER for an even bigger discount.)
Need a snowboot? The Uggs Belcloud is cute customizable with laces.
BuckleLike lace ups, these are adjustable for a custom fit. The buckles also add a bit of edge that can be very appealing. Some of these also have quite narrow calf circumferences to begin with.
Buckles enhance so many styles, from classic riding boots like the Tennley to slightly trendier looks like the Cole Haan shown here. Plus (who knew?) more utterly non Uggly Uggs.
Cole Haan Women’s Tennley Buckle Knee High Boot,Black,7 B US Buy [عزيزي الزائر يتوجب عليك التسجيل لمشاهدة الرابط للتسجيل اضغط هنا] Now
If you don’t mind the triple buckle approach, this Cole Haan boot could be a boon to those with skinny ankles as well as calves, and I like the opportunity to tighten at midcalf as well as the top.
As of early June, this one’s made the happy transition from Zappos standard to , which means major savings.
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