Sofft Sharnell

As promised over the summer, I'm giving the Sofft Sharnell a spin! And so glad, too, as these are some of the most comfortable boots for narrow calves I've tried on. They fit great, too :)

The Sharnell's full back lace design allows for a custom calf fit -- rejoice! I was able to tighten these boots down to 13.5" up at the top opening, 12.5" at midcalf, and 11" at the ankle. Not a record setter for us here at Howdy Slim, but pretty close.

As for shaft height, in size 7.5, these measured 15.75 inches tall.

The full inside zipper is handy, because it lets you tighten the back laces once, tie them tightly & forget about 'em from then on. The leather is soft, supple, and has a lightly pebbled texture on my pair of Sharnells; I'm not sure if that's consistent with all the color options.

An extra-nice touch is the thoughtful cushioning provided on the footbed. I haven't seen strategically placed padding quite like this before, but at least to my feet, it feels great.

The toe is maybe a bit rounder than my almond-shaped ideal, but the upside of that is comfort and space for warm socks/tights.

You'll notice in the pic at right that there's a cozy, leopard-print microfiber lining.

And there's a rubbber lugged outsole for sure footing in slippery weather.

I'm pleased with the retail price (just under $200) that will put these cute, comfy boots within reach of many readers' budgets. As you know, that's no easy find when we're hunting for a good calf fit.
Thanks Sofft!


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

In black and three different brown hues. (The one pictured in this post is "Cafe Brown" - probably the darkest of the three.) 
Find it at:
Amazon (as of late 2018, I'm seeing just a "Sharnell II" version; not sure if it's the same product renamed or slightly tweaked - anyone know?)

photo c Nordstrom Rack

PS: I just stumbled across another pair of back-lacing tall boots for skinny legs that I need to share with you: Charles David's lovely Jayne style, nearly half off at Nordstrom Rack.

And finally -- if neither of the above lace-back options are available in your size and you are taller than average, consider the Vince Camuto Parle style (pictured below). I'm not nuts about the metallic accent on the heel, but at a sale price under $100, in some color/size combos, I might be able to overlook that!

photo c Amazon

Nordies Anniversary Alert! (Better Late Than Never edition...)

photo c Nordstrom

So sorry, friends. It's been a busy summer, and reviewing boots for skinny calves has had to take a back seat. Just in the nick of time, though, I spotted this pair from Sofft -- super-promising laceup riding boots that could be ideal for skinny legs, with a (presumably) fully adjustable calf circumference. I probably won't have time to grab these for a firsthand try-on before prices go up in three days, on Aug. 8, but the full retail is still pretty reasonable at about $200, so do stop back again later to check for updated pix. If my size is still available after the sale wraps, I may pick 'em up down the road. (Note: The sale's over now, as of early Sept., but the good news is that Nordies now has 4 pretty shades available rather than the original two - and this style, the Sofft Sharnell, is indeed now priced just under $200. Certainly not unreasonable for stylish narrow calf riding boots in leather rather than synthetic materials.)

Besides its hard-to-find back-lacing tactic -- as often before, I wonder why more designers don't use this, as it's a great way to allow calf tightening without breaking up the nice long line of the boot from front & side angles -- the Sharnell offers, per its Nordstrom description, arch support via foam cushioning for the footbed. Another plus is the full side zip, allowing wearers to customize the laces just once and then zip on and off quickly thereafter. That may seem like a small thing, but when you're rushing, it's a huge bonus.

If you grab this boot before I do, please comment and let us know how it fits!

Frye Melissa Button Back Zip

How pretty are these Frye boots for small calves? "Pretty" isn't normally my go-to Frye descriptor -- this is still my all-time favorite boot brand, but usually its offerings are more ruggedly gorgeous than sleekly pretty. The Melissa Button Back Zip is an exception. Its soft, smooth leather is not quite as tough-seeming as you'd typically find with this label, but with some conditioning cream massaged in for weatherproofing I think it should hold up just fine.

Before we get to the measurements, I need to alert you to the fact that I bought these for $134, which for Frye is unheard of outside of used boots on ebay -- and frankly, even on ebay you don't find 'em often at that price point. Do we really need to talk more about how summer is the best possible time to score a pair of classic, timeless riding boots for fall? Even if the Melissa prices go up by the time you read this, I'm betting they'll be well under retail until August, so if you love the look, now may be the time.

Okay, the stats: In a size 7.5, the top circumference is a little roomy for my narrow calves, at 15 inches around. Midway down the calf is much better, at 13.5". And the ankle, at 11", is pretty skinny for a Frye model....a nice touch for those of us with knobby ankles as well as scrawny legs.

Just for comparison, this style is a half-inch bigger in circumference than the Frye Jenna Inside Zip at both the opening and the midpoint, but a full inch smaller around the ankle, which I think gives it a less sporty look. Paired with the right outfit, I could see the Melissa going, in all but the stuffiest workplaces, from office to post-work drinks -- yet it would be perfectly at home at a cookout or street fair too.

The shaft height is identical to the Jenna's, at 15.5 inches, which should accommodate most statures.

Very pretty foot shape - but watch your step with the (too?) smooth sole

Sizing advice is tricky with this one. I agree somewhat with reviewers who've suggested the Melissa runs on the small side, but I'm not sure it's dramatic enough to recommend sizing up. I would say that if you're between half sizes, you might want to go with the larger, unless you've got enough Frye experience to trust that the foot can stretch a little with wear for a custom fit. (I do actually feel this will happen with the Melissa, given the relative softness of the leather, but I can't guarantee it.)

I also agree with the reviewers who have suggested this is a sexy boot :) -- subtly sexy, just the way I like. I think the back zip has a lot to do with that, along with the somewhat more fitted ankle. If you like a long, lean look on your lean legs, this is a nice pick, even though the sum of its circumference measurements doesn't put it among our skinniest Fryes.

One last note: I panicked for a sec in trying to zip the boot for the first time, as it was tough to do at the very bottom, by the heel -- the part covered by the cute snap detail, which you simply unsnap to zip/unzip all the way down. By the next time around, it was working just fine :)

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: *****/5 at summer sale pricing
Calf slimness: ***/5

In a nice range of colors, including grey, dark brown & rustic black along with the cognac I'm wearing in these pix (still priced under $200 as of mid-July! cannot beat a summer boot deal...)
Find it at: Amazon (sizeable discounts still hanging in there as of late Feb. 2018, though size/color availability varies at this point)

December 2016 update! 
Over these past few years I've made the somewhat surprising discovery that not only do they carry many of the most gorgeous, sturdy styles on the planet, but Frye also makes, consistently, many of the best-fitting and most flattering women's thin calf riding boots we could ask for.  So I was hoping to offer you one more set of Frye pix on my chicken legs for 2016. 

Unfortunately, I received the "extended calf" Frye Melissa Button boot (unlike on the style featured in main post above, there's no zipper at all on this one -- it's a pull-on) from Amazon. Not sure if it was my mistake or theirs, but I probably won't have time to exchange and get non-extended version pix out to you before the holidays :( 

The good news is that based on the measurements for this wide calf version (pictured above), I feel pretty darned confident that the non-wide-calf Frye Melissa Button would look great on thin calves like mine. I am guessing they'd be at least a ***/5 for calf slimness, possibly a ****/5. 

Why? Well, the extended calf measures 15.5" up top, 14" at midcalf & 12.5" at the ankle -- so even if you subtract only 1-1.5" from each of those measurements (which is a safe assumption for the non-extended boot, no?), you'll get a pretty slim fit. 

Some details on the extended style that are probably relevant for the non-extended too: I am between 7.5 and 8 shoe size, and the 7.5 in the non-zip Melissa Button was a little toe tight on my toes. Maybe it would stretch, but I think sizing up to an 8 would be safer. The shaft is 15.75 inches tall. And the cognac color is a little darker than that same shade on the Melissa Button Back Zip. I like both, but the darker one maybe a tad better. They're both lovely, though. 

One last word: Just like the Melissa zip, this one's got a very smooth sole! You'll wanna scuff these up on the sidewalk before sprinting around town ;)

Do you own, or have you tried the non-zip Frye Melissa Button boot? Please share fit details in the comments, if so -- especially if my extrapolations from the extended version are way off base! 



Happy, happy holidays to all, and a healthy and peaceful 2017 to you and yours. xo, Mary

Bed Stu Glaye

The best-smelling narrow calf boots I've ever worn also feature a genius design to conform to skinny calves while also accommodating those with average-sized legs. It's the Glaye by Bed Stu.

Made in Mexico like today's Frye boots, this style combines sturdy construction, bold distressing that bumps the hip factor way up, and buttery soft leather -- including the lining -- that feels great on the leg.

Besides the full zip for easy on and off, there's a cute little partial zip in back (this is the genius design part) that hides a panel of very soft leather. Thinner folks can keep it zipped for a relatively small, though certainly not tiny, circumference of 14.5 inches, while those with fuller calves can unzip for an additional 2.5 inches around.

Leave unzipped for fuller calves, zipped for skinnier-smart, huh?

I wish Bed Stu had made this about an inch smaller around, for a top circumference range of 13.5 to 16 instead of 14.5 to 17, but as it is I think it still looks pretty cute, and not horribly gappy, on my just-under-12" calves....especially since the midcalf measurement is a wonderful 12.5" - yea!

They've gone out of their way to help us with our skinny ankles, too, providing a functional buckle that decreases the ankle circumference from 10.5 on the loosest setting to 10" on the tightest.

The Glaye also gets my vote for coolest sole. How fun is this cherry red?

Shaft height in the size 8 is about 16 inches, which should work fine for all but the tallest or shortest among us.

Important sizing tip: Reviews saying the shoe part of this boot runs small are absolutely correct. The tricky part is figuring out whether you need to order a half size or full size up from what you normally wear. I am between a 7.5 and 8 shoe size, and I took this one in 8. Partly because the rounded toe is forgiving on my right pinkie that tends to get pinched by narrower or pointier-toed footbeds, the 8 felt good on me, both with light stockings and with thin(ish) socks. With thick, heavy socks, I'd probably need an 8.5 -- but I don't think I'd want to subject these beauties to a Chicago winter. I see them more as a 3-season style.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value: ***/5 (or better at sale pricing)
Calf slimness: ****/5



In "Tan Rustic/White" as shown here, plus a very cool distressed blackish color -- and, as of early November '16, Amazon has a pretty "teak" shade as well!

Find it at:

Amazon (great discounts on the darker color as of mid May!)

image = screenshot from amazon

p.s. I'm impressed with this brand and was also drawn to its stunning Cambridge style (at right), with its lovely perforation and bit of back lacing for a custom calf fit. My only concern was at 5'4" I might be too short for the Cambridge's 18.5"-tall shaft. Well worth a look for taller boot lovers...

photo c amazon

p.p.s. - Spring 2018 quick update:
I have no idea how long this sale will last, but Amazon is offering big discounts on the gorgeous Bed Stu Weymouth, at left (could it be named after bass heroine Tina? I'm gonna go ahead & decide yes, as she would totally rock this boot) - which, based on my research around the web, is also a narrow calf boot. Quantities very very limited...

Frye Jenna Inside Zip

It's funny: These gorgeous boots, the Frye Jenna Inside Zip, have the exact same measurements in size 7.5 as the equally gorgeous Frye Tabitha, but to me they look a little slimmer on the leg.

I think it must be because the leather on this one is a firm type that will stand up straight in the closet, vs. the Tabitha's softer shaft. Whatever the reason, these rustic but sleek, ultra-versatile boots are a terrific find for Frye fans, especially those who a) hate stretch panels (there are none on the Jenna!) and b) love incredible deals (under $125 -- if you know Frye, you know how outrageous that is -- in some size/color combos as of April 2016!).

This is an older Frye riding style that for some reason I thought had gone extinct. So imagine my delight to find these small calf boots not only alive and kicking but priced kindly enough to bring this coveted brand into the range of many lower-end labels that don't carry anywhere near Frye quality.

On to the stats...

In size 7.5, the Jenna's circumference is 14.5 inches up top, 13" at midcalf, and 12" at the ankle. I wish an inch could be shaved off that last measurement, but because the leather is not slouchy, I don't think the style looks too baggy around my knobby ankles, do you?

Height: The shaft is 15.5" tall, which is reasonably petite friendly but will look great on an average to slightly longer leg too. The super-statuesque may want to look elsewhere.

The foot fits TTS, and I'd actually probably do better with a size 8 in this one (I wear between 7.5 & 8 in general) to accommodate thick socks in the colder months.

All the colors on offer are great, but I'm particularly a sucker for this rich dark brown that, with a little help from some Frye Conditioning Cream  (note: I realized this stuff is great for all my leather shoes and have gone through an entire tin at this point), will only get better with age.

Rating:
Beauty: *****/5
Value:  *****/5 at current sale prices
Calf slimness: ***/5

Find it at:
Amazon




*******

photo c Amazon

P.S.: One other heavily discounted Frye riding boot to check out quickly, while prices are low, is the Jamie Ring style (at left), which features a bit more detailing, avoids stretch panels just like the Jenna, and has earned some of those "bad" reviews we so love to see, complaining of a too-tight calf! As you know, one woman's "ouch!" is another's "hey, these don't look like leather galoshes!" :}

Boot Cuffs: Skinny Calf Solution?

image = screen shot from Grace & Lace site -- which (update!) as of January 2018 seems to be
 focusing less on this type of legwear and more on various other apparel & accessories

Gotta cop to watching some daytime TV today. Well, listening anyway -- I often have something fluffy turned on while conquering multiple loads of laundry and doing more mundane editorial tasks. Today I actually hopped over to the screen during a Shark-Tank-focused edition of "The View" to see if the boot cuffs sold by a company called Grace and Lace might help "close the gap" for us thin-calved boot lovers.

The legwarmer solution has been known for a while in skinny calf circles, but come spring weather, legwarmers might warm the legs a bit more than we really want. Same problem, but worse, for "boot socks" (how these differ from regular long socks I'm still not sure, but apparently they're a thing...). These boot cuffs, though, could be handy. You extend your calf circumference a little to narrow the leg/boot gap up top without adding unnecessary heat or bulk elsewhere.

So what do you think? Would these work? Are they cute? Too trendy? Worth a shot at sale price? And most important, with this company selling like gangbusters, why didn't we think of this idea?! :} Do share your thoughts in Comments...

Fall 2016 update: Steve Madden has gotten into the game too, with a cute line of cable-knit and lace-topped boot cuffs priced at under $20 each. Not sure how many department stores carry them, but check your favorite shoe sources online.

Freebird Wyatt

I come with a heavy heart. The Freebird  Wyatt  is absolutely stunning, completely adjustable through the calf, but doesn't fit my foot. Sob! With a shoe size between 7.5 and 8, usually 7.5, I went for the 8 in this one based on reviews it runs small. Even the 8 was not quite long enough on my foot for comfort, plus the toebox is too narrow for my problematic right little toe. An 8.5 might work, but tragically, the Wyatt doesn't come in half sizes, and a 9 would most likely be too long.

What's to love: Besides the work of art that is the beautiful distressed brown shaft of this made-in-Mexico boot -- and I think the solid black would be incredible, too -- it is, as I said, completely adjustable through an ingenious side lacing system and very soft, snakeskin-pattern insert that easily folds to conform to your lace tightening. It's a rustic, slightly tough looking boot, but so alluring. You will get noticed.

I'm giving this one an automatic 5 out of 5 for calf slimness, as it truly can work for any average-to-very-thin calf (not sure about wide calves). The only footnote on that would be re the ankle: I tightened it down to about 10.5 inches around but felt like going much skinnier there might ruin the long, lean line of the boot. I think it looks great, but you be the judge.

Shaft height: I measured that at 15.75 to 16.75" -- depending on inside vs outside measurement and whether I included the soft inner panel, which rises a bit above the main shaft.

Heel: It's a cool looking 2.5 inch heel, which I love for a leggy look. Most of my fave boots & booties have heels in the 2- to 2.75 inch range, so that's not a dealbreaker for me. But if you strongly prefer a flatter situation, the Wyatt won't be a match. Bonus points for the supercool tattoo-like sole, though it could be a tad slippery.

Besides the tricky sizing, my only other issue, and it's a slight one, is that the 3-inch long goring panel in the back hangs open a little. It's part of the rustic appeal, and no big deal really, but I guess I'm a little surprised they felt the need for goring at all, given the top-to-bottom lacing and full zip features for easy access and calf-customizing.

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

In black and brown.
This stunner sold out quickly in many sizes.
Act quickly & you'll find a few at: (finally on sale as of early November 2016! :)
Amazon (finally on sale as of early November 2016! :)
Ebay (where I scored mine for $50 under retail, NIB -- update: still a few left there as of October 2017, priced well under retail)

photo c Amazon

Amazingly, there's another totally adjustable Freebird style too: the Coal which looks like a particularly good bet for taller boot lovers. More color and size options available than the Wyatt, as of early March 2016, and arguably just as beautiful. Yea!

Joan & David Talaro

Oops! :-(

Ever since I slipped my scrawny legs into the gorgeous Heathley, I've had one eye open for more Joan & David boots for small calves. So I was so excited to show you the lovely Talaro -- knee-high leather for (as of early March 2016) under 70 bucks!

But as soon as I opened the box, I knew today's writeup wasn't going to go as planned. ShoeMetro sent me, sadly, the wide calf version of the Talaro -- which, truth be told, would probably not be wide enough for folks with truly wide calves. In shoe size 8, the top circumference measured in at a (yes, roomyish) 16", the midcalf a not-that-big 14" ... and the ankle was 11" around -- a pretty common stat even for the narrow calf riding boots I normally feature here. That gives me hope that the non-wide-calf Talaro would be pretty slim. (Caveat: the size 8 was comfy but not roomy on my foot, and I often take a 7.5, so those between half-sizes should go with the larger.)

I'm not sure yet whether I'll be able to get hold of the non-extended version to show here "on leg," but in case you're considering grabbing your own pair at the outrageously low pricing now available, here are a few pix.

The dark brown hue is pretty and versatile (there's a a black version too), and the dainty little studs are what really drew me to this boot.

This isn't luxury leather, but for $60 on sale and $189 retail? It's a find. Far from the most plasticky I've tried in the <$200 price range for leather boots.

For the stretch panel averse, there's none on this shaft, save a teeny bit of hidden goring up top.

Nice treads on the sole for unpredictable spring weather, plus an adorable animal-print lining.

And the shaft is fairly petite-friendly, at 15.5 inches tall.

I promise to be back soon with a bona fide skinny boot to show you. 'Til then, a Merry March to all :) And please do post a comment on calf fit if you're lucky enough to score a pair of non-wide Talaros!

Michael Kors Emma Lana

Inspired by having found some of my all-time favorite leggings in the girls' department, I decided to see about searching on kids' riding boots this time, to see if we might get lucky there as well. After all, lots of kids have skinny legs, right? And my adult shoe size, 7.5 to 8, is roughly equivalent to a girls' shoe size 5.5 to 6, so all I'd need to do is look for brands that carry kids' sizes up to 6. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought sooner of this source of boots for thin calves, especially given the potentially massive price breaks involved.

So I set out to find a pair of classic riding boots, real leather, size 5.5 or 6, with a shaft tall enough for a (smallish) adult leg. And....kind of struck out. Real leather was by far the biggest sticking point; virtually all companies appear to make their kids' tall boots, probably wisely given how hard the young'uns can be on footwear & how quickly they grow out of it, in faux leather or faux suede. Sizing was another hurdle, as far more styles went up to 5 than 6. After much searching, I settled on the adorable Michael Kors Emma Lana, crossing fingers that I'd be able to squeeze into a 5.

That turned out to be a bit optimistic, as I really could have used another 1/4 to 1/3 inch of length in the footbed. More importantly, the shaft was not as narrow as I'd hoped based on published stats. Up top at the opening, the size-5 Emma Lana measured 14" around, right underneath the (non-functional, alas) buckle. At midcalf, the circumference was 13.5" -- and at the ankle, a fairly roomy 12".

The shaft height was a pleasant surprise at 17" in the front, tall enough even for my proportionally long calves. FYI the back measured a much shorter 12.5 inches, from the sole to where the subtle, 3/4-inch-wide stretch panel stops and the top cuff (if that's the word...) of this boot begins.

Another happy surprise was how chic the pebbled faux leather looked. And though gold hardware isn't really my thing, if you're into that, it's employed nicely here at the ankle and top of shaft. With the possible exception of its very round toe, nothing about this boot screams "child." Not even close.

And not that anyone sees the sole of a boot when you're out & about, but I can't resist showing you what is probably the cutest-patterned rubber sole I've ever seen :)

All in all, not bad for under $80, and maybe even an inspired choice for wetter climes where expensive leather footwear can be almost a liability in the rainy seasons.


Rating for the Kors Emma Lana:
Beauty/style: ***/5
Value: ****/5
Calf slimness: ***/5


Find it at:
As of Nov. '16, this appears to be only available through ebay

Steve Madden Arries

Happy 2016 to my thin-legged friends! I'm finally back to road-testing narrow calf boots after a season of eating that plumped up some parts of the bod but not, of course, my calves :-}

Because, for some of us, holiday bills are still getting sorted out in January, it's a great time to look at a pair of relatively low-cost slim calf boots like the Steve Madden Arries.

I was super excited to try this one based on all the reviews either applauding or slamming its skinny calf circumference -- particularly the writeup from an early-November reviewer who posted a lovely photo.

Unfortunately, on my just-under-12" calves the Arries was a little roomy, especially over tights. But it's cute and budget-friendly enough to merit some pix and details here.


Stats for this boot: 15" circumference up top, 13" circumference at the midcalf point, and 11" circumference at the ankle.

In a long-ago post on a very different boot, the Tory Burch Christy, I waxed rhapsodic about the 15-13-11 approach as a flattering way to gently taper a boot, and I think the look of the Arries supports that, even though (over tights; the cords are much better) it's clearly too wide for my scrawny legs. A case can be made for these dimensions over, say, a 15" opening plunging to 12 inches at midcalf and 9-10 around the ankle -- which runs the risk of a pirate-y sort of flaring...especially in taller-shaft styles. (Re height: The 16" shaft  on this one should work for almost all but the shortest & tallest among us.)

Not a pure riding boot, the Arries employs some trendy moto details that may or may not fit your personal style. I'm a sucker for quilting on a leather boot, so the quilted heel made me smile. Not so awesome (but again, this is a matter of personal taste) is the brassy, shiny gold bit at the bottom of the quilted section.

As befits a moto-ish style, there's plenty of zipper here. The subtle-looking inside full zip (see second big photo above) makes the Arries a snap to get on and off, while the gold back zip is non-functional, so for looks only.

Three caveats: There's not a lot of texture to the rubber sole, so keep that in mind if slipping is a big concern. The foot runs a bit small, so if you're between half sizes, I'd recommend going with the larger. Finally, this isn't the most luxe leather...but you can't really expect that at this price point.


Rating:

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

In black & cognac.
Find it at:
Amazon -- at or around $100 in many sizes, still, as of October 2016