Luckily I've got a pretty Via Spiga boot to offer up, perhaps especially appropriate for those looking for something polished enough for the office as well as more casual environments.
In a size 8, the Bufu boot measures 14.75 at the very top. Not so impressively slim, right? But at midcalf it's a nice slim 12.5", and the ankle is 10.5, adding up to a decent overall slimness.
There's a 2-inch-wide stretch goring panel on the inside and outside of each boot, plus a very pretty buckle detailat the ankle -- one of the subtlest I've seen, thanks to its soft silver finish.
I'm less nuts about the slightly curved-in-back shaft that adds the illusion of calf curve where I've got none. (The idea appeals; the reality, not so much.)
This is a pull-on boot -- no zipper. I had no trouble getting it off and on, but I did need to use the loops at top back to do so.
The sole isn't very textured at all, so if you need an industrial-strength grip, these aren't the boots for you.
Shaft height in size 8 is about 16 inches -- right around my ideal height, but if you're on the short side, measure your calf to see if that's going to be too tall.
Rating:
Beauty: ****/5
Value: ****/5
Calf slimness: ****/5
In brown or black.
Find it at:
Sold out at all the usual suspects -- only ebay has this one as of early 2018