boot squee!

In the continued spirit of cleaning, I got rid of a couple Web things that I wasn't using at all: Friendster and MySpace. I simply never used them. Hadn't updated them in over a year. Friendster I find pretty much obsolete at this point, and MySpace just turns me off completely. If I did get a message from someone, I could never remember my password. So: gone. And it felt almost as freeing as getting rid of clothes and yarn, or reducing credit card debt.

To balance the purging, I also restocked my supply of knee-high boots. I haven't had a pair since 2005, when one of the heels of my old pair broke completely off, on New Years Eve, if I remember correctly. Out with the old...it just took a couple years to ring in the new. The problem was finding a pair of boots (I keep typing "books," which is clearly my subconscious telling me I need to buy more of those, too) that would fit around my calves. My old pair were kinda stretchy and I bought them at a place that stretched them out even more on a fancyschmancy machine. I also bought them when I had the luxury of time to go shopping for boots and spend hours trying on a bunch of different kinds. Times are different now, my friends. I had tried on several pairs over the last year, but the calves were all too--WAY too--small. I had put it down to being overweight, but it's also because walking is my primary form of transportation, so my calf muscles are pretty developed, too. Why it's difficult to find wide-calf boots in a pedestrian city is really beyond me.

Enter Zappos. And specifically, David Tate. David Tate makes boots with calf measurement linked to width, so that ordering a medium gets you a calf between 14-16" around, and ordering a wide gets you a 16-18" calf circumference. So I bought these

in the wide--my calves are about 16.5" inches and it's been my experience that size ranges favor the small. I was worried that the foot then would be too wide, but reasoned that if that were the case I could use inserts, hand knit socks, anything to fill the space. I got them yesterday, and they are fabulous. The calf fits perfectly, just perfectly, and the foot is a little roomy but very comfortable to walk in. I tried them on yesterday morning as I was dressing for work and realized as soon as they were on that I would not be able to take them off--they felt so good. (They also look vaguely piratey, which fit yesterday's theme.) It's nice to be back in boots.

Comments

[Juno]

very sexy. me like. me go shopping now.

[ann]

those are awesome! And yeah, I hear you on the trouble of finding boots for those of us with muscles. I broke down last year and bought some fryes because they are nice and loose for everyone in the calf-al region.

[Fiber Hounds]

I have the same calf problem and haven't bought a pair of boots since 1998! Thanks for the tip!

[claudia]

Extremely cute! Should there be a big-calf club, cause I'd join up.

[Romi]

Those are totally great. Mmmmmm. Mmm. :)

[alison]

Yay for boot season!

[carolyn]

love boot season! i did lose some weight in my calves (eventually) when i lost weight overall. so some boots that used to be tight are now just fine. it's refreshing. :)

my latest pair of boots has (unbeknownst to me when i ordered) expandable calves. :)

[anne]

Hot hot hot!!

[Tamsin]

I too have 'shapely' calfs and always found buying boots really dis-heartening. That was until I found DUO about two years ago. I recommend them to all of you girls. They come in a wide range of foot sizes but more importantly there are 21 widths!! So whether you are skinny or curvy, they'll fit you perfectly. I have three pairs and they are made of the most gorgeous leather. Slightly pricey but I wouldn't be able to wear boots without them so totally worth it. They have a shop in SAvile Row in London that I visit. I think they have also opened a shop in Manchester and Edinburgh as well. Their shop in Bath has been there for years and years. Now that I have been fitted I am really confident about ordering over the internet. I've got my eyes on Florence ( http://www.duoboots.com/calf_fitted_boots/classic/florence)next, perfect for running around everyday after the kids! What do you reckon...all your dreams come true at once! That's waht I thought when I found them!