Found: Comfortable Boots for Narrow Calves

Many of my clients are always on the hunt for boots with wide calves. I've personally spent many hours searching for good ones. This post is about the opposite need: narrow calves. For awhile there, I was like a mad woman. I was convinced that this was going to be the year that I would find boots that didn't gap around my calves or fall down or otherwise look ridiculous. I ordered and returned several pair. I tried on many, many more with no luck. For awhile, I convinced myself I'd just wear thick knee high socks all the time. 

Then, I went into my favorite Northern Virginia comfort shoe store and found these boots. They're made by Cobb Hill, which I had never heard of. Well, wouldn't you know, they're owned by New Balance! That made sense since my PT had recommended that I buy New Balance (and I did) back when I was having back issues. They weren't labeled for narrow calves, and they're not tight, but they are the best I've found by far. 

They have a slight heel, but they haven't hurt my back at all, and they're also very cute. They were expensive, but not compared to Frye or many others, and they're actually on sale now.

Looks like Cobb Hill also makes shorter boots if you're looking for a really comfy boot. 

Oh! And if any of you are searching for a wide calf boot, comment below because I have LOTS of ideas for you! 

Ugg Alternatives: Comfy, Casual, Grown up Boots

Ugg Alternatives: Comfy, Casual, Grown up Boots

Inspiration via

Yes, we're talking about boots again! Because, you see, I have a client who needs comfortable boots for fall and winter. This client is always cold, especially in her feet. Yes, she's had her thyroid checked (Mom). She has had back pain lately and is finally realizing that she can't wear flat shoes with no support. Ok, ok. That client is me! I'm the client!

Here's the thing: I hate how Uggs look. I've hated them since the beginning. But, they're so warm. And they're so easy. And they're so awful-so here we are. Here are my ideas for my "client" and for anyone else out there on the hunt for supportive, well-made, but not hideous, boots that will keep you warm in the coming months until it's time for serious winter boots.

Reader Q&A: Fall Boots?

Reader Q&A: Fall Boots?

Via

Rose wrote in with the following: I wanted to suggest that your adoring readership (or the women of the Northeast US, or maybe just me) could really use some advice on boot trends right now. 'Tis the season.

Happy to help, Rose! I've been drafting a post on Ugg alternatives for those of us who are always freezing, and I'll include some of that here. But you are a New Yorker with a great sense of style so I won't fill this up with the sad tales of those of us who rely on a whole string of Superfeet to keep us upright. I've included a few pictures and TONS of links of various price point boots for you to click through and see what you like. If you want to skip the post and find the coolest boots? Visit Pikolinos for the $200 range or Nordstrom's for a mix of prices.

Oh! For those of you interested, this is the type of email you'd get from me suited to your personal style if you book me for online personal styling. Just sayin'.

Here are three questions I'd like you to think about before you buy boots this fall:

The Hunt for Comfortable and Stylish Shoes Continues

The Hunt for Comfortable and Stylish Shoes Continues

For most of my life, I thought I had "easy" feet. My sister has very, very wide, flat feet, and my mom has always struggled with her feet (she's a Pisces, she'll explain). Relatively, mine seemed not that flat and pretty much, well, fine with any old shoes.

As a result of that belief combined with my general lack of funds as I went from college to a masters to a JD, I spent the first thirty years of my life wearing whatever cheap-o shoes I could find. As my husband said once, "you like shoes where your foot is flat on the ground." Flats, he meant, and cheap ones. Like these! Or these! Or these!

I've since realized that my feet are slightly wide-and in bad shape. Between the shoes and the long commute, my hips have started to act up, and it's just time to pay more attention to my sweet piggies. I'm growing up! About time, right?

Earlier in the summer, I wrote about wide summer shoes and even ordered two that were moving in the right direction. I ended up returning both, though, since they were actually not comfortable enough for my new standard.

This week, I ordered two pairs of shoes from Zappos and then got two with a coupon at Macy's. I'm keeping three for sure and am undecided about the fourth.

I grew up in Vermont, land of Naots with socks (not Berkinstocks, the story about hippie politics about Germany v. kibbutz is too long for here) and clogs. All clogs, all the time. I wore them in middle school for awhile, but mostly they were mom shoes. So it was with great trepidation that I ordered these Danskos. But, I love them! They're very comfortable, nice and medium wide around the toe box, and a great neutral that's not skin tone.

I wore them with a big, full skirt from H&M, a sweater from Loft, and my gorgeous crepe murtle. The first day of wearing something I'm worried doesn't fit my style, I try to pair it with an outfit that I love. It casts a certain "me" vibe over the new item, and then I fall in love with it.

These are the shoes that I'm not sure about, on the other hand. I liked the green and the height along with the idea of comfort, but I think the arch is too high for my feet. I wore them around the house wondering if maybe shoes should feel that supportive? But they just hurt, and I won't wear them. They're not as clunky as they look, but they are quite casual with the cork and the velcro. But, you can adjust the velcro, which is great for wider feet. And the emerald green is gorgeous!

Keeping with the jewel theme, I grabbed these sandals by Born. I wish the sides didn't have that odd wood grain look, but they're so darn comfortable! They're casual, and I needed supportive casual shoes. The open toe works well for my wider feet. Keeping these!

For Born shoes, I also really liked these. They were less casual and very comfortable, but I fell between the whole sizes on this fit and didn't get them. Macys had them in black, which I loved but can't seem to find on the website.

I also loved these red sandals, but they didn't have my size. They were a more true red in person and very comfortable. If you're looking for casual, supportive, summery shoes that are not sandals, these topsiders are incredibly comfortable. The blue striped sides seem to be sold out everywhere, though.

The pair above are very comfortable, similar to a lot of the old ballet flats I used to wear but have a solid bottom and nice support. I can't find them online and will need to do more searching for you if you're interested!

Thanks for bearing with me as I grow up and come to care for my feet. I hope you're doing the same!

And have a great weekend! I'm spending it with one of my best friends, the incredible Hannah of Love Always Hannah. We have time by my gym's pool, lots of trashy magazines, and a photo shoot with friends planned. I can't wait! Follow me on Instagram if you want sneak peeks of the shoot!