Donald Pliner Boxer

sweatery tights almost fill the gap

One of the best tips on boots for thin legs that I got through my Boots for Skinny Calves page was from a fellow skinnylegs called Anj. She came through again, hugely, with a forum tip on this boot, the beauteous Donald Pliner Boxer, available in croc (my fave) or black or brown suede. (Outrageously low price alert: The brown has at times plunged to $90 in some sizes! This fluctuates, of course, depending on the season, so you'll need to decide whether cost trumps the wait factor or vice versa.)

(Fall 2016 update: When I contacted the Pliner folks to confirm the shaft on non-patterned brown and black versions will be as narrow as my croc pattern ones, they said it's the same. Yea! Bur the bummer news is that as of right now, this terrific boot seems to be sold out everywhere except for ebay. Maybe Pliner will bring it back in the months ahead? We can hope...)

just enough room for skinny cords

The croco-look boots are the same rich espresso color & texture as my vintage croc bag that is, at long last, coming apart at one side. They seem quite well made, so I'm confident they won't meet that fate anytime soon!

Their midcalf measurement is an incredible 12.25 inches (at the point where my calves are their widest -- 11 1/2 inches up the shaft) and they're a modest 13.5 inches at the top opening in size 8. The ankle in size 8 is 10 inches around, which is about an inch bigger than my ideal, but it's so hard to find boots for thin legs -- let's face it, boots with 13 inch circumference or smaller require some serious searching for my shoe size or larger -- that fit as well as the Boxer that I really can't complain.

The front half of these boots is a pretty croc-embossed leather, and the back half is a substantial feeling stretch panel. But they've taken the trouble to add a couple of croc details on the stretch half that I really love -- an arching bit at the heel and a long strip up the back.

The foot to me feels true to size, maybe a little roomy in the heel but not enough to cause problems. The toebox feels great. Definitely a chic pair of slim calf riding boots that you won't see coming and going.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: *****/5
Calf slimness: *****/5

Note: The long, lean Pliner Nellie (above) has a pretty buckle embellishment and has won over numerous thin calf wearers. Very few left as of March 2016, but heavily discounted -- and worth checking ebay for too...it's a good one. 

Kudos & kisses to Donald Pliner for offering multiple skinny styles! Keep 'em coming!