Finding The Right Pair of Boots

Finding the right pair of boots for petite’s is extremely difficult and frustrating. I have always had trouble finding boots with the correct shaft height and calf circumference. I don’t have the narrowest legs but they are short and my calves measure 12″ which make it very hard for me to find the perfect pair of boots. I did some research and wanted to pass the info along to the petite community!

Screen shot 2011-07-26 at 10.08.47 AM
Image Credit from Nordstroms.com
Before last winter when I went on a crazy hunt for boots, I had no idea what shaft height meant or how to measure your calves. This chart is very helpful! So needless to say, I was wearing the wrong everything!
Click below to read about how to find the right boots!

The two things to look for when shopping for boots is:

1. How tall the shaft height of the boot is
2. How well the boot fits your calves

Finding boots that aren’t too tall in the shaft and small circumference boots is definitely a petite challenge!

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR CALF CIRCUMFERENCE:

If you want to find out your calf circumference, take a flexible tape measure and measure around the fullest part of your calves. Mine measures 12 1/4″.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR SHAFT HEIGHT
Take a flexible tape measure and start at your heel and measure up to right below your knee. My ideal shaft height is 14″.  
As most of you may already know, most boots are designed for TALL people so you will find that most shaft heights at a minimum of 15″ or above. I have found a few boots last Winter with 13 and 14″ shaft heights at Nordstrom’s. You can usually shop online and narrow your search to the shaft heights- which is nice but it doesn’t leave you many choices. I am really selective when it comes to boots only because being petite, the wrong pair of boots can overwhelm our petite frame. I sometimes have to search for mid-calf boots because  mid-calf on a regular person is just right on a petite frame! It’s not always the case but just a heads up.
I normally would have some selections but this season, I haven’t seen one pair of boots I have liked enough to even suggest! How sad is that? I know the other alternative is the stretchy material boots which I am not a big fan of. So hopefully something good will come out into the boot world that will fit us petites. *Sigh*
I guess I will just stick to the pairs I bought last year! Does anyone else have suggestions?
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  1. I have such a hard time finding boots that fit my calves also! (mine are 11") I would love for some brand suggestions!

  2. Great tips and info! Lucky me, I do not have problems finding boots that fit. I wear 6.5 in shoes (which available in most brands). Nordstrom is the best place to find shoes/boots. Hope you'll find something you will like this year 🙂

  3. Great information! Thankfully I don't have much trouble with boots. After spending most of my life on the heavy side, I'm actually ecstatic that most boots now not only fit my calves, but are a bit loose. I know the loose-boot look may overwhelm small frames, but I love it!

    One pet peeve about some boots: When I bend my knee (like when I go up/down stairs or sit), the top of the shaft digs into the back of my thigh. I suppose that means the shaft is too tall, but I get used to it.

    Good luck with your boot search!

  4. This is a great post! The only trouble I have with boots is that sometimes the shaft is too high for my short legs so the boots scrunch in a funny way when they're supposed to be structured.

  5. Thanks so much for this useful info, I will definitely keep this in mind before shopping for a pair of boots this fall.

  6. Very informative. I always have trouble finding boots that hug at the very top near the knee. It usually gapes open. I'm also slightly bowlegged so the outside on the side point out awkwardly. Admittedly, I have been buying the wrong boots but I swear to start buying ones that are just short enough and not loose around the calves.

  7. Thank you for this post! This will help me a lot! I have a hard time find boots as well because I'm so petite yet active. My feet are a 5.5 or 6 but I have 13.5" calves! If you know of some brands that do sizes with varying calf circumferences that would be awesome!

  8. Its important to find boots according to your calf, if you have wide calf you must find nice, well fitted wide calf boots and if you have narrow calf search for narrow calf boots.
    Customization of boots according to the calf is also a very nice option.

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