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.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Pretty Little Thing Studded Boot

On a quick NYC trip last month, I saw studded footwear everywhere...studded pointy-toe shoes, studded ankle boots, lots of studded styles that for better or worse, took me straight back to the '90s.

I'm not a big stud person in general, but I have to admit the look started growing on me after a couple of days. Hence the Pretty Little Thing boots offered up here for your consideration -- a fresh take on the classic Western-tinged riding boot with a pointed toe and bit of heel.

As always with the trendier, of-the-moment looks, I've chosen a modestly priced style. Very modestly priced, in fact, as these $87-retail cuties will currently set you back only 39 bucks, with free shipping! Of course, they're made from a soft suede-look fabric and faux leather, not actual stretch suede + leather; they lack serious treads on the sole; and they feature an only slightly padded footbed. But again -- 39 bucks! :-)

It's tricky to measure circumferences with such soft material, but at the very top, this style is about 16" around. Bear in mind that's for the thigh, not the calf. My thighs, while not scrawny, are smaller than 16" - but with tights I feel like this boot  doesn't look crazy baggy.

At midcalf the circumference is about 13" -- not bad -- and at 9" around, the ankle is about as narrow as we ever manage to get.

No half sizes, unfortunately, but I am always between 7.5 & 8, and the size 8 in this boot is very comfy over midweight tights.

Bonus points to Pretty Little Things for the leg-elongating pointed toe that is, to me at least, much more comfortable than it looks, even on my fussy right foot. That's not easy to pull off.

The heel is a manageable 2 and 1/8 inches, within my comfort zone, and with over-the-knee styles I prefer a bit of heel, as long as it's not spiky!

At nearly 25" tall, the shaft nicely avoids that ambiguous "knee boot or OTK?" height zone that I hate (I always feel that's the manufacturer just being cheap with materials...), falling solidly in the OTK camp even for tall folks.

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


Find it at:
ASOS

See also...
For a flatter heel and rounder toe, this $72 style from RAID >>>

<<< Or -- hold the studs, you say? Fine, be that way. This $56 pair from Public Desire looks promisingly fitted on slim model legs in the video clip.