I first wrote about boots for wide calves three years ago and interestingly, not much has changed since then. It's the same sites carrying boots for plus size women. I was going to write an update to that post but honestly, I haven't found a great reason to. However, the good news is that the retailers who are carrying wide calf boots update their styles every year and there are lots to choose from.
If you've been shopping for boots, you'll notice that most wide calf boots have about a 17 - 20 inch shaft circumference. It depends on where you carry weight but that would probably fit up to about a size 22-ish woman. This is great but I'm not a size 22, I'm a size 24 - 28 (depending on the... yeah, you know). The widest point on my lower leg measures 20 inches so while I could probably wear the more generous wide calf boots, they'd be a little snug. Is there a term for when your leg fat is squished out at the top of your boots? Leg muffin top? Not cute.
My mission was to find the boots with the widest circumference and I think I've found them.
Pecan boots from Avenue. They have a very generous 23 inch calf circumference, thanks to the lacing up the back. The only problem is that they're a WW (extra wide) width so if your actual foot isn't wide, then you might have some slipping around to contend with. My solution would be a thick ankle sock, which would be super comfortable and warm anyway. They're $99 and come in black and brown, sizes 8 through 13.
Keep in mind that I haven't tried these on so I have no idea how they fit or feel. I had a pair of Avenue shoes that I wore to death and they were pretty comfortable and good quality for the price.
Those are AWESOME boots and I love love love that they come in an extended wide-calf.
However, I wear a 28/30 and my calves are 19-20 inches at their widest point. I don't think dress size can be a reliable indicator of calf size. Especially since women of all sizes have muscular calves that won't fit into "regular" boots!
Posted by: The Rotund | September 25, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Those are nice looking boots! I really like them! Have you tried Easy Spirit? Their shoes come in wide!
Posted by: Gloria | September 25, 2007 at 01:42 PM
I'm not trying to play I-have-it-worse, because I know I don't...but the line in the middle is giving me trouble. The seventeen-inch-and-up boots are too wide, but the regular sizes stop around fourteen inches. Where are the sixteen-inch boots? Anyone know? Because I would totally pay stupid money for bondage-style boots with work-style heels if I could find them. Thanks!
Posted by: Recluse | September 26, 2007 at 04:20 AM
I've found some really great wide-calf boots at silhouettes.com too. Some run wide, others extra-wide.
I bought 2 pairs last winter. Both were called extra-wide, but only one pair actually fit. Of course that was one more than I'd ever been able zip up before! Now I have sassy knee-high boots, just like the skinny girls. Woohoo!
Posted by: Aimee | September 26, 2007 at 11:31 PM
Have you tried DUO (www.duoboots.com)? They do a really big range of sizes, 20 calf widths I think. I have two pairs to date and both are fantastic. It was such a pleasure to be able to wear boots again. Completely transformed ny winter wardrobe!
Posted by: Tamsin | September 28, 2007 at 03:56 AM
I think I will try out these boots. I just returned 3 pairs of boots that I ordered from Jessica London. ALL of them were suppose to be for wide calfs, but they weren't. Also the quality was extremely poor. All around horrible, I don't recommend them.
Posted by: amanda | October 02, 2007 at 09:35 PM
Thanks for this recommendation! These are nice looking boots and reasonable too. Calling my local Avenue store right now...
Posted by: Gerri | November 10, 2007 at 01:35 PM
I just got my pecan boots from Avenue.com. I have NEVER been so HAPPY with a purchase in my entire life. These are the sexist, most stylist and comfortable boots I have ever owned. You guys, these are definitely the winner. You won't be disappointed.
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR TELLING ME ABOUT THEM!
Posted by: Gerri | November 24, 2007 at 01:38 PM
For the chica looking for 16" calf boots - try the Sudini custom (link goes to Zappos.com). I have 16" calves and these boots are incredible. I want to wear them every day.
Posted by: Sarah | November 30, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Hey! Those boots are now on sale! $39!
There are some other cute boots on that page also.
Posted by: kristismart.com | January 24, 2008 at 12:37 PM
be careful with the boots from Silhouettes. I have recently ordered FOUR differnt pairs of supposedly 17" calf boots and they are at least an inch from fitting. I measured the widest point of my calf and it is 17" so they should fit, they don't run true to size and were very disappointing.
Posted by: Michelle | February 07, 2008 at 09:17 PM
anybody know where to get a 18" calf boot with a size 6 1/2 foot. My problem is i have a small foot and a big calf.
Posted by: mari | October 11, 2008 at 09:48 PM
My mom recently bought a pair of boots from Woman Within (her fav. store) however the boots are to small in the calf area. She does not want to return them because she loves them so!! They zip up the calf. So my question is.... is there any type of zipper extenders to make the calf are wider?
Posted by: Melissa | January 13, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I have 22 inch calf but only a size 5 to 5and a half shoe where can i buy a knee high boot and im ona budget thanks
Posted by: Karen | July 02, 2009 at 09:00 AM
I also bought a great pair of boots from Woman within that did not fit according to their claims - i took them to my local shoemand and he stretched them for $35 - they got kinda pricey after that but they fit great and look good -
Posted by: Judi | December 07, 2009 at 01:51 PM