Little Contessa

La Canadienne Sale on Amazon

2016-07-29T10:40:00.000-04:00

Quick alert-- I found 2 La Canadienne boots on super sale at Amazon for between $70-$80 each. It seems that only select sizes are on sale so hopefully these will work for a few of you out there. Reviewers did note that these have slim calves although hopefully I can post a review sometime in the near future.

La Canadienne Sandra boot ($70 for a size 6)

La Canadienne Passion boot ($80 for size 6, brown)

Update: I ended up keeping the "Sandra" boots, which are very attractive boots. Their shaft is a bit higher and stiffer, and a tiny bit narrower than the "Passion" boots. Although it's not a perfect fit, it's totally passable for my 12.5" calves to wear with skirts and definitely skinny jeans. The sole is rubber so it has good grip. My only complaint is that the toe is quite narrow and my usual size 6 is a bit too snug. I wanted to exchange for the 6.5 but the price had already bounced back to $400! I'll have to settle for wearing very thin socks.

The "Passion" boots were too slouchy for my taste since I was looking for riding boots that I could also wear to work.

Review: Two Lips Lockdown Riding Boot

2015-12-10T12:36:00.001-05:00

It has been so long since I've posted here that I'm not sure I even have followers anymore! I'm not actually resuming this blog in the same capacity because I recently had a baby and unfortunately do not have the time I once did (I apologize in advance for any typos -- I'm writing this on my phone quickly while baby naps). But I did find a pair of boots the other day that I have to notify the community about because they seem to work for me, are reasonably priced and appear in stock!

I ordered Two Lips' Lockdown Riding Boot in both black and brown when DSW had a promotion for 30% off 2 or more pairs of shoes, so they were around $90 each. I noticed that they lace up the back and had lots of reviews about how they're great for skinny calves-- both very promising. I ordered my usual size 6.

And I'm happy to say the black pair fit great! The shoes are leather, which is nice at this price point. The heel is great for everyday wear and I could imagine wearing them with both, skirts and skinny jeans. They are VERY lace-intensive though so once I get the right fit, I never want to adjust the laces again.

The size 6 is an appropriate but snug fit, which is fine since I don't plan to wear them with thick socks (I find that leather boots tend to get a bit too warm). Surprisingly the brown pair were WAY looser and the shaft looked a little broken in, like they had been worn before. I wrote to CS about it and plan to return them. I hope these boots work for some of you in the community! I will try to add pics soon!

P.s- I also thought these looked promising based on the reviews:

Crown Vintage Carlee boot

Review: Franco Sarto Candy

2013-12-08T18:02:00.001-05:00

Franco Sarto's Candy ($100) boots may work for those of you who have calves that are on the fuller side of the "skinny calf" scale, but I don't think they will work for the majority of us who have very skinny calves. The calf circumference of a size 6 measured approximately 12.75". The shaft height was 15". Although the top of the boots isn't very wide, the rest of the shaft is slightly wider and felt too wide for my 12" calves. The last two pictures below give you a more accurate picture of what they looked like when I wore them. I'm wearing thin tights in the pictures below and didn't try them on with jeans. Although I think the top of the boots would be a more snug fit with jeans, I'm not sure jeans would solve the shaft issue sufficiently for me. These boots are available at DSW and all sizes are in stock currently.

Franco Sarto "Candy" boots

~ Little Contessa

Review: Corso Como Radar

2013-12-05T00:11:00.000-05:00

I have a soft spot for boots with a built in knit sock, and that's what stood out to me about Corso Como's "Radar" ($80-$200) boots. I featured them in my very first boot roundup and was excited when I saw that they were still in stock and on sale. The sock hugged my 12" calf comfortably. I didn't have a problem with the shaft height (16"-16.5"), although some reviewers complained that these boots were too tall for shorter women. I do think they may be more flattering if you're taller because the shaft tends to sag, and I'm not too crazy about how the top of the sock hit me at mid-knee in the pictures below.

The boots are very comfortable. The soft sock and thick suede feel very rich. The sock is stitched into the top of the boots so it doesn't extend all the way to the toes. I prefer this because it would be too warm for me otherwise. The side zip goes up about half the length of the boot, so it would be easy to pull down skinny jeans or fix socks that get bunched up. My main issues are: (1) The shaft sags a bit too much for me. This is expected (my boots look almost exactly the same as the model in this boot roundup). The ankles actually fit quite well, but the area above the ankle is less fitted; (2) The foot is not very structured so the view from the top is not great.

Corso Como's Radar boots are available in limited sizes at Amazon, Shoebacca, Shoes.com, Heels.com, and Online Shoes.

I ordered them from Amazon Warehouse Deals, which sells almost perfect items (that cannot be sold as brand new) at deep discounts. It indicated that the boots were in almost new condition, with the possibility for minor damage to the packaging or evidence of very slight wear. Unfortunately, when I received my package, one sock had a hole and the other sock had multiple loose threads that were visible. Very disappointing-- they went back right away! I got them for about $50 so I would have considered keeping them otherwise. However, another reader who also ordered from the Warehouse said her shoes arrived in great condition.

Corso Como "Radar"

Strange droopiness above one ankle

I'm not crazy about how they look from the top

Happy holiday shopping!
~ Little Contessa

Review: Aquatalia Unity (perfection!)

2013-12-03T22:39:00.000-05:00

I became curious about Aquatalia's Unity boots (now $316-$400) after receiving multiple messages from readers who claimed success with these boots. When my size became available, I took the bait quickly. As soon as I tried them on, I understood the hype. They are the best narrow-calf riding boots I've come across and they may be the best narrow calf boots I've tried on, period.

My size 6 had a 12.5" calf circumference (approximately). This seems to be the perfect size for my 12" calves and I think that anything smaller would be uncomfortably snug. The shaft height was 14.75". The boots are lined with a soft plaid fabric and have a sturdy and comfortable rubber sole. They fit true to size and are mostly leather, with two panels of fabric at the back. One thing I really like is that the fabric panels are very stiff and are rounded so they create the illusion of a fuller and more proportional calf. You can see this in the first two pictures below. I'm wearing tights in the pictures and did not try on the boots with jeans.

I don't have much more to say about these boots other than that they seem perfect. I'm not surprised that they've been selling quickly but I was shocked that Amazon had barely any left when I checked today. It's so frustrating that there are no other retailers carrying these! I plan to email Aquatalia with the hope that they will introduce more narrow calf options. I plan to return these boots so if you're a size 6, keep an eye out for their reappearance on Amazon. I'll post a note on Facebook when I get a message from Amazon that they were received.

Aquatalia "Unity"

Close-up of the lining

Close-up of the front

Close-up of the fabric panel at the rear of the boot

Preview of upcoming reviews

2013-11-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

A quick heads up that I ordered the following boots and hope to have reviews up within 2 weeks. Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, I'm not sure I'll have them before the end of next week but I'll try to get the reviews up as soon as I can.

Corso Como "Radar" ($80-$200, review)

I featured these in my very first boot roundup because I loved a picture of them from a Garnet Hill catalog. I recently received an email from a helpful reader who said that a size 5.5 fit her just under 12" calf. She was very happy with her purchase so I decided to pull the plug. I have a soft spot for boots with a built in sock. They are available at Amazon, Shoebacca, Shoes, Heels, and Online Shoes. Please note that returns on outlet items at Shoebacca are not free. I paid about $15 for return shipping on a pair of boots.

Corso Como "Radar"

Franco Sarto "Candy" ($100, review)

A couple of readers said these fit their narrow calves well and were well-suited to shorter/petite women. One noted that a size 9.5 had a 13.75" circumference and 14.75" shaft (so helpful!). Available at DSW.

Franco Sarto "Candy"

After hearing so much positive buzz, I caved into curiosity and ordered Aquatalia's Unity boots (review), despite the hefty price tag, when an Espresso pair in my size reappeared on Amazon.

I really want to review Minnetonka's front-lace knee-hi boots ($86) but will probably order them once I put up the other reviews. I've seen pictures online and although I can't be sure they're good for narrow calves (a few of the reviews on Zappos focus on how they can be adjusted to accommodate wide calves), I'm hopeful. Also at Online Shoes.

Minnetonka "front lace knee-hi" boots

I can't promise the reviews will be very timely, but I hope to have them up by the end of the first week of December. Happy Thanksgiving and a big thanks to all of you for supporting this blog!

~ Little Contessa

Review: Enzo Angiolini Deanja Boots

2013-11-22T20:56:00.001-05:00

So I ordered the Enzo Angiolini Deanja boots with the hope that they would be comfortable, with clean lines and enough of a heel to be dressy / skirt-friendly, but not too much of a heel to make walking difficult. The calf circumference on my size 6 was approximately 12.75" and the shaft height is between 14"-15".

For the price ($100-$170) and the fact that these are leather boots, I expected the quality to be more substantial. The leather has a "crackled" look to it, which is fine but the material itself is quite thin. The shaft circumference was a good fit to the top of my calf when viewed from the side (I'm wearing very thin stockings in the pictures below so the fit would be better with jeans). However, I don't like the front view. The outer side of each boot has a small elastic/fabric panel at the top and I think this caused the boots to "fall out" at the side. Also, the boot shape is almost cylindrical, so the shaft seems like it's almost the same circumference throughout when viewed from the side. I would have liked it more if it was a bit more tapered throughout the leg. The ankle wrinkles very easily, especially when viewed from the front (although I can't be sure if this is more pronounced because of my thin ankles).

Overall, I think these boots are a reasonable option and I found them pretty comfortable. But I don't think they're worth full price. Also, they are probably not a great dressy option since they're not as sleek in person as they appear on the vendor websites. In terms of dressiness, they are probably one step higher than my Simple Brrlin boots (although way more $$). The Deanja boots are widely available this season -- at 6pm ($100), Nordstrom, Zappos, Amazon, Shoebuy, Macy's, Heels, Piperlime, and Bloomingdales. There are a lot of sales and they seem to be selling well, so perhaps there are lots of women out there who've had positive experiences with these boots.

Pretty decent fit from side view

Note the ankle wrinkling from the front.

A side view of the ankle wrinkling.

Have a great weekend!
~ Little Contessa

A list of narrow calf boot successes

2013-11-17T20:00:00.002-05:00

A reader suggested that I compile a list of all the boots featured on this blog that worked well and could be options for skinny calf ladies. She said that having all the boots in one place would mean that she didn't have to scroll through every single post to figure out which reviews were good ones. That was really helpful feedback and I totally agreed. I put together the following list based on boots that I reviewed as well as ones from boot round-ups that received positive feedback from readers. I can't decide if I'll keep adding to this list or write these lists periodically (assuming that we find many more boots that work!).

Fitzwell Finley Narrow Calf
I'm happy to say these boots are true narrow calf boots. They worked for lots of us. I just hope they won't sell out anytime soon because Zappos already sold out of sizes 6 and 6.5.

Fitzwell "Finley" Narrow Calf

Aquatalia Unity
As I state in my review, these boots are perfect for my narrow calves. A couple of readers had positive experiences as well. I wish Aquatalia would produce more of these.

Aquatalia "Unity"

La Canadienne Dorina
A lot of readers have had success with these and reviews of La Canadienne generally are super positive.

La Canadienne "Dorina"

Chinese Laundry "Faith"
I haven't tried these on but a reader sent a picture showing that these fit her slim calves well. They are available at DSW, Shoebuy, Macy's, Shoes, Amazon, and Chinese Laundry.

Chinese Laundry "Faith"

GeeWaWa Blair
These were a keeper for me but were selling out quickly. My size 6 is a tiny bit loose for my 12" calves (with the laces tightened as much as I could) so I don't recommend them if you wear a larger size shoe and have a similar size calf. Also, Shoebacca doesn't do free returns on clearance items so it cost me $20 to return the pair I didn't keep.

GeeWaWa "Blair"

Naya Quail
My success with these boots pretty much inspired me to write this blog. So I have a soft spot for these boots, although I now realize that the ankles are a bit too baggy (no ankle support) and the wooden heel now is a bit painful for my back if I wear them for too long. However, I'm still a big fan of the quality of the leather and the idea of an adjustable calf boot that's not lace-up. I wish more mainstream boots were like this so they could work for regular-calf as well as skinny-calf ladies.

Naturalizer Naya "Quail"

Simple Brrlin
I own these in grey and black, and they have been great walking / commuting / casual boots. I wish more of these were available because they could work for women with calves as slim as 11" because of the adjustable back.

Simple "Brrlin"

Timberland Granby
I wish I kept these because they were so easy to adjust to small calves but still had a side zip so I wouldn't have to use the laces each time. They seemed comfortable and sturdy, but I wasn't crazy about the beige fleece lining, which seemed a bit discolored on the pair I ordered. Still, I think I would have gotten a lot of use from these boots and they would be easy to wear with leggings and some skirts.

Blondo Louna
These are a pair that I kept and have gotten a lot of use from. From my review you can see that they are not as well tapered to my leg as the Fitzwell Finley but they have good ankle support and are overall, very comfortable and good quality boots. They are still available at Amazon, Shoes, 6pm, and Blondo.

Blondo "Louna"

Blondo Pasadena
These were reviewed twice - once by a reader and then by me. The fit is similar to the Louna and they are similarly good quality and comfortable. Still available at Amazon.

Blondo "Pasadena"

La Canadienne Ramona
I didn't review these personally but a few readers had success with these and the reviews are generally positive.

Diba Hear Me Now
I didn't try these on but some readers had success with these.

Diba "Hear Me Now"

Coclico Carson
I thought these pricey boots were very pretty and liked the fit. A few readers agreed and wrote me emails when they scooped up discount deals for these boots.

Coclico "Carson"

Coclico Danann
I didn't get a chance to try these on but loved the picture sent in by a reader.

Coclico "Danann"

Frye Melissa Scrunch
These boots get an honorable mention because they may work for some of you who are on the larger end of the narrow calf spectrum. They are still widely available at Zappos, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Amazon, and Frye.

Frye "Melissa Scrunch"

Aquatalia Drew
These get an honorable mention as well because I read a review on another blog (thanks to a reader for sharing!). Limited sizes are available at Amazon, and also at Avenue K, and Foot Notes Online (I have no experience ordering from the last two sites).

Aquatalia "Drew"

Let me know if there are other ways to make this post more helpful of if you have suggestions for posts that might be interesting. I'm looking forward to hearing you weigh in on the comments about boots that worked for you that I either forgot to mention or haven't yet featured on this blog!

~ Little Contessa

Boot Roundup

2013-11-14T23:01:00.000-05:00

In trying to find the next pair of boots to review, I came across the following options for a boot roundup. As always, I haven't tried these on, but base my selections on descriptions, reviews, and tips from fellow skinny calf Contessa's :)

Sidenotes

* Thanks to all of you who friended / liked me on Facebook! It's so great to see how many other skinny calf ladies are out there and rockin it! Hopefully the page will make it easier for us to share quick and timely tips.
** Unrelated, but I realized that Amazon is having a sale - 30% off $100 on select boots/shoes. Good deal!

1) Enzo Angiolini Deanja ($90-$170, review)
I ordered these because there were quite a few positive reviews about the narrow calves as well as reviews complaining about the narrow calves. See the link to my review above. They are widely available online at Zappos, Nordstrom, Amazon, Piperlime, Bloomingdales, Shoebuy, Heels, and Lord and Taylor.

Enzo Angiolini "Deanja"

2) Chinese Laundry Faith ($50-$80)

A helpful reader - SS - sent me a note about these boots along with a picture. A size 7.5 fit her 12.5" calves. A narrow calf boot that's affordable - that's good news! They are available at DSW, Shoebuy, Macy's, Shoes, Amazon, and Chinese Laundry.

Chinese Laundry "Faith"

Thanks to reader "SS" for sharing these great pics!

3) Born Lecia ($160-$185)
I considered ordering these for a review and I think I still might. They remind me of a smooth leather option of Timberland lace-up boots that I still regret missing out on a couple of years ago. There are a couple of complaints that the toe is too round. Hopefully the lace-up means these are friendly to narrow calves. Available at Shoes, Amazon, Planet Shoes, and Back Country.

Born "Lecia"

4) Born Estelle ($190-$210)
Another lace-up boot but these lace up the side, which is kind of a nice change. Not too many reviews yet. One reviewer did complain that the laces were too delicate. I do think there's a good possibility that the lace-up is more decorative than functional. Also, I noticed that the leather on my GeeWaWa Blair (both the boots and the laces) has stretched a tiny bit after a few wears, so even if this fits okay laced up tightly, I'm wondering if it could stretch. Widely available at Nordstrom, Zappos, Macy's, Amazon, Shoes, Shoebuy, and Online Shoes.

Born "Estelle"

5) Rocket Dog Renaldo ($77-$90)
Although these are another pair of lace-up boots, I'm always happy to find affordable options. Only a couple of reviews so far. Available at Amazon, Zappos, Shoemall, Shoes, and Rocket Dog.

Rocket Dog "Renaldo"

6) Dirty Laundry Pride and Joy ($50-$85)
Another affordable lace-up option. Available at Amazon, Zappos, Macy's, Shoes, and DSW.

Dirty Laundry "Pride and Joy"

Stay warm!

~ Little Contessa

New Facebook page and a giveaway (for a different blog)

2013-11-01T10:35:00.000-04:00

I decided to create a Facebook for this blog since it may be an easier way to share posts and it would allow me to post quick updates. This would be helpful if I get a good tip and want to share it quickly or--to use a recent example--to notify readers if I return boots that were out of stock. Right now, I update each post and it's probably a pain for readers to keep checking them. So feel free to "friend" me! But I made all the posts public so you can still see the posts and comments if you prefer not to.

Also --and I apologize for the digression since this isn't related to boots-- I found out about a contest recently and thought it was pretty exciting. I don't read a lot of fashion blogs but I do enjoy Effortless Anthropologie and I suspect that some of you are fellow Anthropologie fans. EA is holding a pretty great contest to celebrate that blog's 5 year anniversary. I wanted to share it because I suspect some of you might be interested (and because it allowed me to get another entry into the contest :). More info about the contest after the jump.

Don't worry, I'm still searching for boots!

Effortless Anthropologie: Celebrate EA's 5th Blogiversary with an amazing co...: Effortless Anthropologie turns 5 today!!! To celebrate and thank you for your comments, participation in this community and following alo...

A few tips about DUO boots

2013-10-29T21:14:00.000-04:00

A few readers have written to me when they're considering ordering from DUO boots to ask about my experience with the company. Although I can't write a review since I haven't ordered from DUO myself, I can share some tips from a friend of mine -- M -- who ordered from them about a year or so ago.

A quick overview -- DUO allows women to purchase boots that are custom tailored to their leg measurements. They have a pretty wide selection of heeled boots, riding boots and ankle boots, and all appear to be leather. Prices for ankle boots start right under $200, and tall boots range from $260 to over $400. I counted about thirty pairs that were $300 or under. I haven't spent a lot of time of their site but it seems to have a much larger selection of styles compared to just a couple of years ago. I found myself coveting quite a few pairs. My friend, M, said that the leather on her pair seemed high quality. I can't remember which style she ordered.

There are a bunch of reviews of DUO floating around on the web and I'm not sure if the tips below add anything new, but here's some advice that M shared.

1) When ordering, send DUO an email asking if they can adjust ankle size, not just the calf size. In the return form that DUO sent her, they asked for many other dimensions aside from just her calf size. If she had seen that form initially, she could have made a much better decision. Her only complaint about the boots was that the ankle fit too loose. The calf fit perfectly.

2) DUO has great customer service. M received immediate responses to her emails. When she returned the boots, she also received a very detailed message confirming that the boots were received. They offered to issue a refund unless she preferred to adjust any other dimensions on the boots.

3) Her main complaint about the order process was return shipping. She did USPS and paid $30. Shipping from the UK to the US (or other destinations worldwide) is free.

4) Items delivered to non-EU locations are subject to import taxes. A note from DUO about import taxes-- "Customs taxes are charged on goods shipped outside the EU, and unfortunately there is no way of avoiding these charges. Sometimes a parcel may slip through the net and not be charged but this would be lucky and not to be expected. The charges are usually about 10% of the cost of the product, plus an admin fee- it might be worth checking with your local customs office for more information." I’m not sure about the time frame to receive the notice about the tax, but it might take a month or more. I think hers was about 10% ($30) for her $300 pair of boots.

If you have experience with DUO, please share in the comments. I look forward to reading them and I'm sure other readers do as well!

~ Little Contessa

Review: Fitzwell Finley Narrow Calf (believe the hype!)

2013-10-23T00:28:00.000-04:00

*Updated with pictures.
**The size 6 I returned has been snatched up by someone--hopefully one of you!

Finally! Boots that are actually made for narrow calves! Not ones that we have to tighten, tailor, stuff, or practically maim to get them to fit correctly. The calf circumference on a size 6 is actually 12 inches!! I couldn't get a good ankle circumference measurement but they fit my 7.5" ankles pretty well. The shaft height is 15". I measured from the arch of the foot to the top of the boot.

The heel is 3" and although it's not a stiletto, it is a skinny heel that probably won't be great for standing or walking a lot. The description says there's a "gel comfort heel pad" but I didn't notice any extra cushioning. The sole felt a bit hard, although I wouldn't say the boots are uncomfortable. Perhaps readers who own these can weigh in about the level of comfort.

I imagine these boots will be great with skirts and dresses. I don't think the narrow shaft will accommodate jeans unless your calves are much slimmer than my 12" calves, although tights and jeggings may work. I like that the leather isn't super shiny. The sheen on my Blondo Louna boots can be a bit much at times (I reviewed the Louna last year in this post). The Finley boots definitely seem like a better / slimmer fit on my legs than the Louna, although the Louna is very comfortable.

I'm happy to be able to spread the word about these boots, which I hope will work for many of you. Currently, it looks like they're only sold at Zappos ($139). It looks like sizes 6 and 6.5 are sold out at the moment. I couldn't find any other online retailers that sell these boots but I'll keep an eye out for them. I plan to return my size 6 this week. I considered keeping them but frankly, I've been so fortunate to have found a few pairs of well-fitting boots over the past couple of years (many thanks to you all!) that there's just no reason for me to keep these to myself. I hope one of you is able to pick up the pair that I return.

Fitzwell Finley Narrow Calf ($139)

Update-- Ok, now that I've gotten over the initial elation, I realize that the shaft and ankles seem a bit saggy in these pictures. I think the horizontal seam a couple of inches above the ankle (visible in the picture above) creates a crease that looks like a sag because of the stiff fabric. But in reality, the ankle is pretty slim and so is the shaft. However, the crease did rub against the side of my leg and is visible from the front. I imagine this could be uncomfortable and irritating. Hopefully it won't be too noticeable with socks (I wasn't wearing knee-high socks in the pictures). Also, after wearing these boots for a few minutes for the pictures, I'm still uncertain about the overall comfort level of the heel.

I'm always interested in hearing your thoughts.

~ Little Contessa

Review: GeeWaWa Blair

2013-10-22T00:15:00.003-04:00

A helpful reader shared her experience with GeeWaWa's Blair boots (see her comment at the bottom of this earlier post) and I'm so thankful that she did! I think these affordable boots are a strong flat boot / riding boot contender for slim-calved ladies. I apologize in advance for the graininess of some of the photos. (I removed some of the original photos and added new ones that hopefully are better).

Altogether, I'm very happy with how these boots fit. The calf circumference of my size 6 measures between 12.5"-13" fully laced up, although it may be possible to shave off another quarter inch by replacing the leather laces with thinner ones. The shaft height is 13.5". I measured from the arch of the foot to the top of the boot--basically the full length of the side zip. The shaft hits at the widest part of my calf, so the boots look proportional to my height (I'm 5'2"). The ankle was a bit saggy. It was tough to get an accurate measurement but the ankle circumference is between 9"-10". As a reference, my ankle circumference is 7.5", although something in the 8"-8.5" range would probably look best on me.

The boots are a soft leather and will need some type of protective treatment. The underside has no grip so these are definitely not for extreme winter weather. They lace up the back and have a "tongue" for a better fit (see the third picture). I laced them up as tightly as I could, which made the laces super long. I'd trim the laces to keep them from looking ridiculous. The toe is a bit pointy and I'm uncertain about whether they make my feet look gigantic, or whether it's not too noticeable. Our tipster said these run a bit large, but I think I can work with my true size 6. There's a bit of room in the foot but not so much that my foot will slip. I think this size would work for those of you who are a size 6-6.5 and maybe even a size 7. I'm planning to keep the brown pair. The black pair felt a teeny bit looser around my ankles. I'm still torn on whether these boots would work with skirts or dresses? I have a tough time gauging this. I still feel like a novice when it comes to wearing knee-high boots with skirts/dresses, so any input is appreciated!

Now for the bad news. I couldn't find these boots anywhere other than Shoebacca ($88), which has them in extremely limited sizes since they are on clearance. I'm planning to return the black pair tomorrow (via mail) so those of you who are a 6-6.5 can keep an eye out for them. Hopefully they'll be back up in a week or so.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any similar options by GeeWaWa (pronounced like chihuahua-- their logo is a little chihuahua :) I'd never heard of this brand but I plan to email them this review. Hopefully that will prompt them to make similar styles in the future!

GeeWaWa Blair (now $88)

Closeup of the laces

Built-in "tongue"

The shaft looks a little shorter from the side. I prefer the look from the front.
I tucked the laces into the boot on my left leg (the leg on the right side of the photo) to get an idea of what it would look like if I trimmed the laces.

I'm so embarrassed about the poor fit of my skinny jeans :( I'll have to expand my search to good jeans for skinny legs!

The black pair.

Another Boot Roundup (updated)

2013-10-18T11:05:00.000-04:00

After writing the previous boot roundup, I came across the following boots that I wanted to mention quickly. Once again, I haven't tried these on but based my notes on the descriptions and reviews. (New boot added-- A helpful reader submitted a promising tip about Nine West's Noureen boots so I added it to the list as #8)

1) BCBG Erinn ($64 - $200)
These have a lace-up back--a nice alternative to the lace-up front. One reviewer sent a pic of how nicely these fit her narrow calves. Thanks :) Available at Amazon, Macy's, 6pm and in very limited sizes at Sears.

BCBG Erinn

2) Cole Haan Tenley ($200-$370)

One reviewer said that a size 7.5 fit her 13” calves well. She also noted that she is 5’4” and these came almost up to her knees. Although they're sold out on Zappos, reviewers said these fit narrow calves well. Also at Amazon, 6pm, and other online vendors. Note that these seem to be pull-on boots.

Cole Haan Tenley

3) La Canadienne Ramona ($193-$335)
I thought I'd included these in a previous boot roundup but that doesn't seem to be the case. As is the case with all La Canadienne boots, these are $$$ but it may be possible to get them off-season for cheaper, since this brand doesn't seem to discontinue styles quickly. Reviews seem favorable. Available at Amazon, Zappos, 6pm and La Canadienne. It looks like 6pm is having a La Canadienne styles currently.

La Canadienne Ramona

4) La Canadienne Passion ($250-$350)
The reviews for these boots are relatively positive, although not overwhelmingly so. Be sure to read through the reviews if you plan to purchase these. Available at Zappos and Amazon.

La Canadienne Passion

5) Aquatalia Unity ($300-400)
There are multiple positive reviews on Amazon for these boots. One reviewer said a size 8.5 fit her 13" calves pretty well and another said the same of a size 7. There were also a few reviewers who complained about the narrow calf--always a good thing for us! Some reviewers suggest sizing up by a half-size for this brand if you plan to wear thick socks. I tend to stick with my true size since calf circumference gets larger with size. As with all Aquatalia boots, these are $$$ so it's a pass for me.
Update - A helpful reader said her size 7 have a 12.5" circumference. She also said these are warm and comfortable. Sounds like a winner for skinny calves!

Aquatalia Unity

6) Ugg Darcie ($300)
There's one review on Zappos that says these have a narrow calf. Zappos lists a size 7 with a 13" calf. Also available at Ugg, Belk, Nordstrom, and The Walking Company. There are a lot of reviews (and a couple of photo reviews) at Nordstrom but I wasn't able to look through all of them.

Ugg Darcie

7) Tsubo Kynlee ($280)
Zappos lists a size 6 as having a 12.75" calf, so most of us may be sized out. Also available at Tsubo, Nordstrom, and Online Shoes. No reviews yet.

Tsubo Kynlee

8) Nine West Noureen ($99-$129) **Newly added**
A helpful reader said a size 7.5 fit her 12" calves perfectly. There are positive reviews on Macy's that reference the small calf and ankle size. That's great news! Lucky for us, these boots aren't super expensive and seem to be widely available at Macy's, Nordstrom, Amazon, and Zappos!

Nine West Noureen

Have a great weekend!
~ Little Contessa

Boot Roundup

2013-10-17T22:18:00.000-04:00

I'm traveling this week and since I cannot do any reviews, I thought I'd share some boots that I'm considering ordering for reviews. Surprisingly, I hadn't heard of most of these brands previously. Let's hope that means there will be lots more slim calf options in the future!
(Note-- See this boot roundup for information about Nine West's Noureen boots, a promising suggestion from a helpful reader!)

1) GeeWaWa Blair ($88, review)
A helpful reader shared her success with these boots (see her comment to this previous post). Personally, I'm thrilled to see an option that's less than $100. It makes me sad that most boots featured on this blog are so much more expensive. Although I've never been a fan of boots that lace up the front because they don't really work with my person style, I really like a lot of the new boots this year that lace up the back. Why don't more brands do this and why didn't they do this sooner?? I ordered size 6's in the chocolate and black to review and it appears there was only one each in stock, so now that size is showing as sold out. Our tipster said these run a full size too large so I'll probably return mine after the review. I'll add an addendum to this post once they're returned so those of you who are interested can keep an eye out for them. Unfortunately, it seems like they're only available at Shoebacca currently.

GeeWaWa Blair ($88, review)

2) Arcopedio L31D ($175)
These are another pair of lace-up boots that I'm excited about. Unfortunately, Zappos seems to have sold out of them in black but still has a few left in brown. There's a few left on Amazon and Planet Shoes as well. Lots and lots of positive reviews from the small calf community! They're not real leather so there's a risk of them looking cheap. Personally, I get excited about vegan/vegetarian shoe options, but I just wish they weren't so expensive. I feel like an additional benefit of getting non-leather shoes should be that I shouldn't have to pay the same price as I would pay for leather. I'm hoping to order a pair soon to review.

Arcopedico L31D ($175)

3) AIGLE Start M ($167)

There are very few of these left at Zappos and I couldn't find them elsewhere. Shoebuy used to carry them but they are out of stock. AIGLE appears to be a UK brand and hopefully they will soon be available on Amazon. A reviewer said a size 8.5-9 fit her 13" calves perfectly. I really like how these look but since they're not real leather, they might not appeal to everyone.

AIGLE Start M ($167)

4) Fitzwell Finley Narrow Calf ($139, review)

It's exciting to see a boot that's marketed as "narrow calf" and that is reasonably priced! I just ordered the last size 6 so I hope to have a review up next week. According to Zappos, a size 9 has a 13.5 circumference. There's only one review so far and it is promising. Unfortunately, I haven't found these anywhere else.

Fitzwell Finley Narrow Calf ($139)

Happy searching!

I hope to have reviews to share next week.

~ Little Contessa

Has anyone heard of Gabor boots?

2013-10-08T07:30:00.000-04:00

I came across Gabor brand boots on Amazon the other day and realized I've never heard of this brand. Many of their boots have buckles that make the calves adjustable, but I'm not sure how slim their shafts really are even when fully buckled. There are no reviews currently. I'm thinking about ordering a pair to review but wanted to ask the community first in case some of you have advice to share. Here are a few that stood out to me on Amazon.

Gabor Tall Adjustable Calf boot 75.789 ($325)

Gabor 36.596 boot ($270-$355)

Gabor Fashion Basic Tall boot ($300)

Gabor 31.503 Boot ($150-$345)

There's also a different pair on Zappos that is listed as having a 13.75" calf for a size 8, but still no reviews.

I'd love to hear from anyone with insight to share!

~ Little Contessa

Review: Mercanti Fiorentini Lazio Riding Boots

2013-10-07T21:09:00.000-04:00

Although the positive reviews and listed calf circumference of 13" were encouraging, these boots did not live up to their hype. My true size 6 felt a half-size too large. The circumference was about 14" and the buckles were not useful in adjusting the calf size significantly. Perhaps a size 5 would be a better fit, but I'm not crazy enough about the style to order it again. At this price point, I expect a great fit. Sorry for the terrible photo! I will try to find a spot with better light.

Mercanti Fiorentini Lazio ($200) with leggings

Review: Unisa Terena Riding Boot

2013-10-07T07:30:00.000-04:00

I ordered Unisa's Terena riding boots ($60) because they received so much "skinny calf" praise from reviewers. I hoped they'd be an affordable option that would work with skirts. Sadly, they were not a great fit for me. The calf circumference of a size 6 was closer to 14" and there was quite a bit of gaping throughout the shaft. The boots are not leather, which is to be expected at this price point. The shaft is a bit high and hit the bottom of my knee.

Unisa Terena Riding Boots (with leggings)

The search continues....

~ Little Contessa

Review: Aldo Floria

2013-10-06T14:15:00.000-04:00

A good flat boot that works for slim calves is a very difficult find. The last one that worked well for me was the Simple Brrlin boot, and I bought two pairs. I'm happy to say that Aldo's Floria boot may also be a pretty good option. The boots come with a built-in knit sock "collar," so although the outer circumference is around 13.5", the inner sock wrapped around my 12" calves nicely. At 15" in length, the boots fell comfortably below my knee. The leather is a soft, slouchy suede and although the arch support seems minimal, I think they'll be decently comfortable for walking. One thing that confused me was that the boots arrived with the zipper sewn shut. Since I wasn't sure if I'd keep the boots and since I could pull them over my slim calf (even with jeans) pretty easily, I didn't try to break the thread and unzip the boots. I just assumed this would be possible, since the descriptions of the boots say it has a pull tab zipper. However, one reviewer on Zappos said she wasn't able to unzip the boots. I'm not sure I believe that the zipper is non-functional, but if any of you have experience with it, feel free to chime in.

I ordered a size 6 (black) and the sizing felt right. I'm really looking for flat / riding boots that I can wear with skirts and I'm not sure how I'd feel about wearing these with skirts because of their slouchy-ness. However, I do think these are a nice, slightly dressier option than my Simple boots so I'm still considering keeping them. Aldo Floria are available at Zappos, Amazon, Aldo, and Asos.

Aldo Floria

With jeans

With leggings

Happy shopping,
Little Contessa

Boot season is back!

2013-09-21T17:48:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all of you who sent emails asking me to continue the blog this year-- your messages were sweet and much appreciated :) I wish I hadn't stopped blogging during the summer, because it seems like boots were being released throughout the year. I'm trying to catch up quickly and recently ordered 3 boots that I hope to receive and review in the next week (more on them below).

One of the first stops in my boot research was Shoes.com, which until recently, allowed for searching by calf circumference (like Zappos and Nordstrom). However, it seems like they got rid of this option :( I wrote to customer service asking them to reinstate it and I hope some of you readers will too. I also suggested that they define a narrow calf as less than 14" (their previous option was <15"). I haven't seen the narrow calf search option reappear but maybe (hopefully) they'll take it more seriously if some of you write as well.

Another stop was this narrow calf boot page on Squidoo, which I think I mentioned last year. It seems to be a pretty active site, with lots of readers leaving suggestions and reviews in the comments. What frustrates me is that it seems like there are tons of great options on this page, so I get excited. But when I click on the boots, read the reviews, and spend a little more time on Google, I realize that most actually aren't suitable for narrow calves. So I'm thinking of keeping a running list of boots that are advertised incorrectly as having narrow calves. I'm hoping that will prevent all of us from ordering and returning the same pairs of boots, which can waste both time and money. I'm not sure what the best way is to do this, but maybe I'll do it in a series of posts for now.

After my own searching, I ordered the following 3 boots that seemed promising based on their descriptions and reviews. I hope to review the first within the next week.

Unisa "Terena" Riding Boot ($60, review)
One reviewer said these fit her 13" calf perfectly but didn't provide her shoe size. Many, many other reviewers also recommended these for skinny calves. The downside is that they aren't leather and may look a bit cheap. Only sizes 5.5-6.5 remain at DSW. I didn't see them anywhere else.

Aldo "Floria" ($100, review)
The listed circumference of 12" seems unlikely but I'm hoping the built in sock will make calves look smaller. These remind me of a Corso Como style I coveted a couple of years ago.

Mercanti Fiorentini "Lazio" Riding Boot ($200, review)
I don't usually like boots with lots of straps, but reviews were positive and the buckles appear to be adjustable. I only saw these at DSW.

Here's to hoping that this boot season will be a successful one for skinny calves! (Especially the highly coveted but elusive narrow calf riding boots :)

~ Little Contessa

Review: Blondo Louna & Blondo Pasadena

2012-12-23T15:56:00.000-05:00

I apologize for not publishing posts recently. It's been a bit tough to do a lot of searching over the holidays. However, since many of you have written to me about your luck with Blondo's Pasadena boots, I thought I'd order them as well and see if they worked for me. I also was emailed by a helpful reader who recommended Blondo's Louna boots and I decided to try my luck with them as well.

Blondo Louna ($200-$240)
These boots are great! A size 6 fit fine on my narrow feet but I can see how sizing up a half-size might be recommended. Although I measured the calf circumference at 13" or slightly less, I tried them on with tights and liked how they fit on my size 12" calves. The description on Zappos says "The Louna boot is designed to accommodate the needs of women with thinner calves" and I totally agree. The boots are lined with a soft fabric and the upper is a waterproof leather. The foot bed is on a platform so the 3" heel feels much smaller. I was surprised at how easy these were to walk in! The sole is rubber/non-skid-- good for winter wear. I found them at Zappos, Amazon, Shoes.com, and Shoebuy.

Blondo Louna

Blondo Pasadena ($170-$240)
Since many reviews said these run small, I ordered these in a 6 and 6.5. The 6 was a little snug so a half-size up is probably the best bet unless you have very narrow feet. Although I measured these at the same 13" as the Louna, I thought these looked slightly larger in the calf perhaps because these were a half-size larger. The quality of these were similar and the 6.5 was very comfortable to walk in. These also have a platform heel with a rubber sole. I tried on both, the black suede option and the black leather and both fit similarly. However, I couldn't pinpoint exactly why, but I think I favor the Louna slightly more. Blondo Pasadena is available at Amazon, Zappos, 6pm, Shoebuy, and Shoes.com. I recently returned the ones I got from Nordstrom so hopefully those will show up online soon because it looks like they're sold out otherwise.

Blondo Pasadena (black suede)

Blondo Pasadena (black leather)

Review: More Coclico Boots

2012-11-14T19:00:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Coclico is having a friends and family sale of 20% off from Nov. 23-25 with the promo code "FRIENDS".

I was in NYC a few weeks ago and had a chance to visit the Coclico store in Soho. In an earlier boot roundup, a blog reader submitted a few pictures and reviews of Coclico boots, which she noted were expensive but suitable for slim calves, so I wanted to check them out in person. I enjoyed trying on their boots and the owner and sales associates were very helpful. The brand is super expensive but I wanted to write a post about the brand anyway because I know many of us keep our eyes and ears open about sales and because some of you have written to me about wanting to invest in a pair of well-fitting boots.

1) Coclico 'Carson' ($530-$555)

These are probably the best fitting boots I've come across so far. The pictures below don't fully capture how well they fit. A size 36 fit well. The major feature that sets these boots apart is that the ankle fit snugly around my very slim ankles. Absolutely no ankle gaping here! The chunky heel was easy to walk in and it hit about 1" below my knee, which I'm fine with. I'd feel comfortable wearing them with bare legs, although I think they'd look better with tights or skinny jeans. They are available at Coclico, Amazon (in mostly tan and a few brown), and City Soles (in brown and black). I haven't heard of City Soles so I was surprised to see that they have a video review of these boots and a few others from Coclico.

I left the store empty-handed because I don't think my wallet can take that kind of hit but perhaps some of you out there will be luckier :) The store offers free shipping. They only carry one of each size of each pair of boots in their store but may be able to help locate a pair of boots elsewhere. Since the boots are handmade, they said that they may even be able to have a new pair made (although not with custom measurements). Here are some additional pictures.

Coclico Carson

2) Coclico 'Windy' ($550)
I was excited to try on these boots after seeing positive reviews at Anthropologie. I think I tried these on in a 36.5, which fit fine. These were incredibly comfortable and I didn't even notice the heel when I first put them on. However, the shaft hit my knees so I think they're best for ladies 5"4' or taller. The shaft on these was wider than the Carson and could be manageable with jeans, but not optimal for those of us with <12.5" calves. These are certainly more casual than the Carson boots but could work with skirts. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable wearing such expensive boots as my casual/weekend boots. These boots are sold out at Shopbop but there seem to be frequent pop-backs. They are also at other online vendors that I found while googling. (In the picture below, my right leg is wearing my trusty Naya Quail boots, which I reviewed last year in this post.)

Coclico Windy

3) Coclico 'Ramona' ($535)
These were a bit more snug on my bare calves compared to the Windy boots, but still less snug than the Carson boots. I really liked them and think they'd be a great casual wear pair. I think they'd look great with skinny jeans or leggings. As with the others, these were very comfortable. Also available at Amazon, Neiman Marcus.

Coclico Ramona

closeup of Ramona's calf circumference

Little Contessa

Review: Frye Melissa Scrunch

2012-11-13T19:20:00.001-05:00

I'll try to keep this review short since I already mentioned these boots in a previous boot roundup. Although Zappos and Amazon list these as having a 12" circumference, I measured 13" on the size 6 pair I received. I think there are a few of you in the 12.5" - 13" range who these boots will work for, but for me, these are a pass.

I ordered these in the Dark Brown, which is a brownish-reddish and seems like a pretty versatile color. The boots hit a couple of inches below the knee. Since the front of the boot is a "flat" leather while the back of the boot is a "scrunched" leather, I felt like the front splayed out a bit on the side. As one reviewer noted, the foot bed is pretty narrow. I have narrow feet and my foot still took up the entire foot bed, so sizing up may be worth considering. They were comfortable but the soles on these boots were very slippery on my wood and carpet floors.

Frye Melissa Scrunch Boots ($400)

Frye Melissa Scrunch Boots

I wasn't crazy about how these boots looked around my calf, but I didn't try them on with jeans. Although I do think they'd look better with jeans, the fact that they are pull-on makes it unlikely that I'd ever wear them with jeans because they'd probably cause my jeans to scrunch up at the knee. The pictures below show close-ups of how they fit my calf.

Frye Melissa Scrunch Boots

A close up of the top

(Sorry about the dark pictures. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to get bright pictures and my iphone isn't cutting it.)

Still searching!
Little Contessa

Review: Romantic Soles Lynnea

2012-11-08T23:47:00.001-05:00

I mentioned Romantic Soles' Lynnea Narrow Calf boots in a recent boot roundup because the description says it's "designed to accommodate a narrow calf." This makes me optimistic that our community is starting to be recognized by mainstream vendors rather than just niche, high-end ones! I found these boots only on Zappos, got them today (Zappos' super-quick shipping never ceases to amaze me), and quickly took pictures to post this review.

Romantic Soles Lynnea Narrow Calf Boots ($120)

My true size 6 seemed big and I think sizing down by a half-size would be appropriate. The calf circumference measured about 12.5" or slightly less. It was a good fit, as should be evident in the side profile picture below. The ankle fit well (finally!) but the area immediately above the ankle gaped a little, which is visible in the picture above.

I found the material, which is not leather, to be a bit stiff and rubbery. One reviewer on Zappos said her boots scuffed easily and I can see how this is possible. While I think these boots would be fine for casual daily wear, I do wish they looked a bit fancier, but maybe I'm being a bit picky, given how challenging it can be to find boots at this price point. I liked them more than most of the shiny / pleather-y / stretchy boots I've come across. Although I really liked how they looked from the side, something about the front bothered me. I feel like the "v" at the top isn't the best shape for a narrow-calf boot because it seems to create a slimming effect? Just a thought.

close-up of the top of the boots

I wish this brand had more narrow calf styles to choose from. Currently, they also have a Lyris Narrow Calf Boot, which lists a 15" calf circumference for a size 9. I kinda like how these look. If any of you have tried these on, we would love to hear from you!

Little Contessa

Boot Roundup

2012-11-06T09:44:00.001-05:00

It's election day! And although I don't think boots are on people's minds this morning, I wanted to do another quick roundup post. It was exciting to see quite a few comments on the last roundup post and I'm sure other readers found them helpful as well. I hope those of you who have experience with the boots below can chime in to the discussion. (Apologies in advance for the Frye overload. They just pop up the most in my Zappos searches and I don't know yet if this is because their calf circumferences are incorrectly listed or because they actually have narrow calves.)

1) Frye Melissa Scrunch ($400, review) - 12"
I ordered these today and hope to put up a review next week. Both Amazon and Zappos say the circumference is 12", so we'll see. [UPDATE: Thanks to Zappos' great service, I got these boots shortly after posting this entry. Unfortunately, the size 6 has a 13" calf circumference so it won't work for most of us. I'll post a review soon].

2) Frye Mimi Back Scrunch Boot ($450) - 13"
These seem like a heel version of the Melissa scrunch. Only one review so far on Zappos, but the reviewer said they fit her self-described narrow calves. Available at Amazon, Zappos, Frye, and Dillards. Frye says a size 6 has a 13.25" circumference, which makes me think it's the same for the Melissa Scrunch.

3) Frye Mimi Scrunch Boot ($260-$390) - 14" (size 7.5)
Ladies with both narrow- and regular-calves submitted reviews that said these boots fit them well, so I'm a bit confused on how well these could work. Found them at Amazon (some on sale), Zappos (black is on sale for $215), Heels.com, and 6pm (in a size 11 for $215). Frye says a size 7 has a 13" calf, which made me wish I ordered these to review instead because perhaps a size 6 has a 12.5" calf.

4) Frye Riding Chelsea ($500) - 13" (size 7)
A couple of reviewers said these were tight on their calves but one reviewer said a size 9 was too large for her 13 1/4" calves. Many reviewers said they sized down at least 1 size and a couple of reviewers said these are more suitable for taller women. At Zappos and Amazon. Frye says a size 6 has a 15" circumference, but that doesn't seem in line with the Zappos reviews.

5) Romantic Soles - Lynnea Narrow Calf Boot ($120, review)
A size 7.5 is listed as having a 14" circumference but one reviewer said these boots fit her 12" calves. I'm thinking of ordering these. These are marketed specifically as a narrow-calf boot, which I haven't seen before. So far, I've only seen them at Zappos.

6) DV by Dolce Vita Lujan-2 ($200-$220)
A few reviewers said these were good for skinny calves and one reviewer said they fit her 13" calf well. The shaft is listed as 17" tall so this might be for taller ladies. One reviewer on Piperlime said these were too big for her calf. Available at Zappos, Shoes.com, Macy's, and Piperlime.

7) Me Too Latrice ($155)
Zappos lists a size 8.5 as having a 12" circumference, which is hard to believe, although the fabric panel at the back makes me hopeful. Available also at Amazon, Shoebuy, and Shoeline. Reviews on the HSN seem positive, although none commented on a narrow calf, which makes me question whether these are truly for slim calves.

8) Rockport Tristina ($225)
Says a size 7 has a 12" calf. I like the look of these. Available at Zappos, Planet Shoes, Shoebuy, Rockport, and Amazon. One Amazon reviewer said the calf on a size 9 was too big for her 13" calf and a Zappos reviewer said the calf on a size 9.5 was too small for her 14.5" calf.

9) Rockport Lola ($190)
Zappos says a size 8 has a 14" calf. One reviewer said these fit her 13" calf well but didn't provide her shoe size.

10) Sesto Meucci Darsy ($362)
Zappos doesn't have many sizes left but lists a 12" circumference for a size 7.5. I couldn't find these boots elsewhere, but did find a similar pair called 1201/M from the same brand, on Amazon.

LC

p.s. - I don't know why my Amazon links have those annoying white boxes around them... perhaps b/c they're affiliate links?

Little Contessa

La Canadienne Sale on Amazon

Review: Two Lips Lockdown Riding Boot

Review: Franco Sarto Candy

Review: Corso Como Radar

Review: Aquatalia Unity (perfection!)

Preview of upcoming reviews

Review: Enzo Angiolini Deanja Boots

A list of narrow calf boot successes

Boot Roundup

New Facebook page and a giveaway (for a different blog)

A few tips about DUO boots

Review: Fitzwell Finley Narrow Calf (believe the hype!)

Review: GeeWaWa Blair

Another Boot Roundup (**updated**)

Boot Roundup

Has anyone heard of Gabor boots?

Review: Mercanti Fiorentini Lazio Riding Boots

Review: Unisa Terena Riding Boot

Review: Aldo Floria

Boot season is back!

Review: Blondo Louna & Blondo Pasadena

Review: More Coclico Boots

Review: Frye Melissa Scrunch

Review: Romantic Soles Lynnea

Boot Roundup

Another Boot Roundup (updated)