Boots that Fit

I’ve always had skinny legs. To borrow from Terry Hatcher, “I could gain 30 pounds, and none of it would go to my legs” (translation: it would NOT look good). I don’t have a problem with them during spring and summer—they fit right in with those seasonal fashions. But when fall comes, there is a problem. Until recently, Enemy Number One was boots.

Ladies, some of you might know what I mean: the gap between the boot and the leg that happens when you have small gams. With ankle-length boots, the space can make you trip. On most knee-length or thigh-high boots, it just looks really unfashionable—like you borrowed shoes from your older sister (that didn’t fit). The only solace had been those stretch boots, but I haven’t seen them in abundance since high school—“circa” late 90s? Even then, I spent more time pulling them up than I did walking.

Until a couple years ago, I had been resigned to wearing boots in the most boring way: under some boot-cut jeans. But the return of the boots-over-the-pants fashion has given girls like me a chance to look trendy in fall and winter, like here:



Sometimes there’s still a gap with them, but it’s not as noticeable. Pair them with those new skinny jeans, as shown here, and I feel like I have another A-plus option!

And then there’s those slouch boot



Oh, I could sing of their virtues all day long. Because the whole boot stretches out, they appear to beef up the leg, hiding the skinny. If they’re small enough in the calf area, I can even wear them with a knee-length skirt or dress—which I had wistfully watched other women do for years.

I’ve also found that timing matters. My best chance to get boots that fit is early fall shopping season—like, end of summer. This year I began aggressively looking in August. After three unsuccessful weeks, I found three pairs at Arundel Mills: some dark brown, knee-length slouch boots that narrow at the calves; slim, calf-length suede ones in black; another pair of slouch ones that are cinnamon brown, leather and reach the upper ankle. Throw in a couple other winners from DSW and Nordstrom Rack, and I have had a profitable month in boots shopping!

Another trend I like this year? The abundance of sweater dresses! I’m looking forward to wearing them with cute belts….and boots that actually fit.