How to Choose Boots for Different Shapes and Sizes
A reliable pair of boots is essential for your cold-weather wardrobe. Whether you live in your biker boots or love to wear over-the-knee boots for special occasions, they are designed to protect and insulate your feet when the weather gets cold while ensuring you look your best in any outfit.
At Gabor, we believe there are no rules when building your signature style and that every type of boot is suitable for any body shape and size. However, unlike sandals and trainers, there are more factors to consider when looking for boots that fit like a glove, especially if you’re after a longer pair.
To help you find the perfect fit, we’ve created a handy guide on purchasing longer boots, including how to measure your calves and boot styles to suit your body shape. With our useful advice, you’ll find the boots of your dreams in no time.
Contents
2.1. Ankle boots
2.2. Knee-high boots
2.3. Over-the-knee boots
How to measure your calves
Mid-calf, knee-high and over-the-knee boots can instantly create a beautifully chic aesthetic. However, if the tops are too tight or loose for your legs, this can make walking extremely uncomfortable.
There’s nothing worse than ill-fitting footwear, so it’s important to know your feet and leg measurements before buying a new pair of long boots. To accurately measure your calves, follow the steps below:
- Sit with your feet flat on the floor and your legs bent at a 90-degree angle.
- First, use a tape measure to measure your calf height from the base of your foot to the fold of your knee. You can refer to this measurement when purchasing knee-high or over-the-knee boots to estimate how they will fit.
- Next, measure your calf width by wrapping the tape measure around the widest point of your calf. You can use this measurement when purchasing flat boots; however, your calf measurement may be slightly different when wearing heeled boots. For a more accurate measurement for buying heeled boots, stand on your tiptoes to tense your calves, and measure these again.
The calf circumference of women’s boots is likely to vary depending on the retailer, so you’ll need to try on your chosen pair or consult the retailer's size guide to determine whether the boots will fit your feet and legs properly.
At Gabor, we offer calf-hugging boots in three different width options: narrow leg, wide leg and extra-wide leg. The widths and heights of our boots vary depending on the style of each pair. For more information about each size option, take a look at our size guide.
Best boots for big calves
Whatever your body shape, you can wear any boots and look and feel amazing. However, specific designs flatter bigger calves and provide a more comfortable fit.
Ankle boots
Ankle boots are one of the most versatile and wearable boot styles on the market, making them suitable for everyone. Their heights can vary, but they typically sit just below your calves so that you can treat yourself to any pair without needing calf measurements.
Popular ankle boots include Chelsea boots, biker boots and desert boots, which you can buy in various colours and fabrics. Pair yours with your favourite denim jeans for the ultimate laid-back look.
Knee-high boots
Knee-high boots are super-flattering and can be worn for any occasion. Whether you opt for durable leather or luxurious suede, they are guaranteed to keep your legs and feet warm during the colder months and add another layer of comfort to any outfit.
While you’ll be slightly more limited on the types of garments that you can style knee-high boots with, they will elevate your look instantly. Wear them over skinny jeans, tights, and dresses for a perfectly styled aesthetic.
Over-the-knee boots
Perfect for any night out, over-the-knee boots are designed to elongate your legs and add a luxe element to any evening look. They create the illusion of slimmer legs, so you can wear them with skinny jeans, leggings or tights to add to their fitted aesthetic.
Over-the-knee boots are one of the tallest shoe types, so it’s important to take accurate calf measurements to ensure a comfortable fit. When trying them on, ensure the boots' width is tight enough on your calves to prevent them from falling down without them being uncomfortable.
Boots for wide feet
Boots with wider calves are tailored towards wider foot measurements. This is to ensure that the boot’s proportions are correct, helping to provide a more accurate fit.
When measuring your feet, refer to our blog ‘Do You Need Wide Fit Shoes’ to learn more about our wide foot measurements and how to measure your feet accurately.
Now that you have the information you need to choose boots for different shapes and sizes, why not browse through our collection? With sophisticated ankle and knee-high boots for big calves available for every occasion, you'll be spoilt for choice. We offer excellent quality and design for a comfortable fit and effortless style.
Related
Size Guide for Women’s Wide-Fit Shoes
Do You Need Wide-Fit Shoes?
The Complete Guide to Understanding Wide-Fit Shoes
