With scrawny 11.9-inch calves, I've been on a mission for years (decades!) to find the very best, most beautiful slim calf boots. There have been successes, but for whatever reason, what remain most elusive are the perfect riding boots for thin calves. Heels and wedges are challenging to find with a narrow shaft, but equestrian inspired? The toughest of all. In this blog I'll review riding boots with calf circumferences published, or reported anecdotally, at under 14 inches around. If your legs are like mine, maybe you'll find your dream boot here :)

Please note: Except where otherwise stated in the captions, all photos & text are copyright this "Howdy Slim" blog and cannot be used elsewhere without permission.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Sesto Meucci Boomer

With these back-to-back posts, I'm becoming a regular Sesto Meucci fangirl. You will too, if you give these beauteous Boomer boots for skinny legs a spin.

I know I'm always rhapsodizing about the color of lovingly crafted slim calf brown boots, but this Italian pair really does have a rich, warm tone -- the "Tiziano" shade is what I'm wearing here -- that for me is an instant mood lifter. And definitely an instant wardrobe revitalizer.

But the best part may be the Boomer's adjustable quality through the calf. It features two buckling straps in back, and the inner panel they lay over is constructed in such a way that you can really customize the calf fit by cinching the straps.
The genious of that well-attached inner panel is that it is wide enough not to gap if the buckles are set on their largest setting, for a bigger calf, but narrow enough that the shaft shouldn't wrinkle or fold much with the addition of an extra hole, and extra tightening, for a skinny calf.


Buckled at narrowest setting -- with no new holes punched -- the top opening for a size 7 1/2 is already an impressively small 12.75", but adding another hole could bring it down to as low as 12" on the dot (so exciting!). At midcalf, the boot is 13.25 at tightest buckle setting, but another hole could bring it down to 12.5. The extra holes could be added cheaply by a cobbler, or there's even a leather hole punch tool for a DIY approach. If you've got skinny ankles as I do, this under-$10, highly rated tool could come in handy for basically every sandal, maryjane, etc., you've ever bought or ever will.
 And speaking of ankles -- the Boomer measures 11" around at that point.

I do think the back buckles make this a slightly trendier riding boot than the other Sesto style I reviewed, the Boyle, but the lovely lean line is not going out of style anytime soon. Can see this one with cute summer sundresses, minis, possibly even cutoffs, as well as the jeans and sweaters those of us in the still-frozen tundra continue to wear.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: *****/5
Calf slimness: ****/5 with buckle holes as is; *****/5 with another hole added per strap

Find it:
Well, I can't anymore, as of June 2018 - let me know if you do!

2 comments:

  1. I love your blog! Finding boots that fit for a ity-bity narrow calf is so difficult and this blog has been very helpful. I had a question about these boots though. What is the shaft height measurement? I'm 5'3" and was wondering if these boots would be too tall.
    Thanks!

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  2. Thanks for the comment and query! The Boomer in my size was about 16" tall, which was great for me, as I am 5'4" tall. I do have long-ish legs for my height. Is most of your height in your torso or your legs? If you have average to longer legs for your height, I think at 5'3" you'll be fine with the Boomer. If you have shorter legs, then it might be a bit tall for you. Hope this helps & isn't too confusing :)

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