A wise person once said that a person’s look is incomplete without the right type of footwear. We could not agree with it more. Moreover, wearing shoes that are your size also comes down to a matter of comfort.
We all know how annoying it is to go about your day wearing shoes that just don’t fit. Boots are no exception to this case. There are numerous aspects to look into when shopping for the right set of boots.
However, on the off-chance that you end up getting a size too big, knowing how to make boots fit small calves will work wonders for you.
Please read the article that we have compiled today to find out how you can do that in no time!
Table of Contents
What Are Knee-High Boots?
Much like the name suggests, knee-high boots are footwear that comes up to your knees, or in some cases, ends just below them. You will find them in various styles ranging from flat ones to high-heeled boots and even lace-up ones.
If you’ve never worn one before, you will see that these pairs are usually found to be tight around the bottom of the leg- towards the ankle, and loosen up as it inches closer to your knees. The boots are designed in this way to assist us when walking.
You can wear knee-high or tall boots with almost anything. They can be coupled with miniskirts or even with skinny jeans. These boots will definitely make you feel more confident and add that extra detail to your outfit regardless of your attire.
However, you will be surprised to know that the fashion industry did not recognize these beauties until the sixties. In fact, it was the renowned fashion brands like Balenciaga, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent who introduced knee-high boots into the game.
A decade later, in the ’70s, these shoes gained their much-deserved popularity with the sudden rise in punk fashion- when idols like Blondie started wearing them.
Making Boots Fit Small Calves
Below, we will be listing a few foolproof ways in which you can put your favorite pair of boots on without having to make too big of a change.
1. Wearing Boot-Cuffs
One of the best ways to increase the circumference of our calves without working out or putting on weight is to wear boot cuffs.
For those of you who don’t know what these are- boot-cuffs are small sleeve-like pieces of fabric that you can wear around your calves. They come in an array of materials, including cotton and wool.
All you need to do is choose a pair which goes best with the weather (we don’t want your skin getting irritated because of wearing wool in the summer heat!)
Do make sure that you also get the right size. Your boot-cuffs will have to fit snugly around your calves.
This is so that when you put your boots on afterward, they too can fit properly instead of hanging loose around the calf area.
2. Layer up with Several Socks
If you are running short on the budget or can’t find boot-cuffs anywhere, follow this step.
Before wearing your boots, try layering 2-3 pairs of socks, one on top of the other, instead of wearing just one. Now, we must put out a disclaimer that this trick is best to be used in cold climates.
However, you will not be disappointed by the results that this hack produces. Albeit the trick isn’t a very fancy one.
This one is quite similar to the first tip on this list, with only one difference. Your feet will also fit more tightly into the boot.
You must know how many pairs would be too many for your foot and calf size since this number varies from person to person. On the other hand, you could also opt for padded crew socks instead of layering up, as this will also provide you with the same outcome.
3. Pair It up with Jeans
Wearing high-rise boots with skinny jeans is a very common look, that too, for all the right reasons. Not only does this look give your outfit a more classy and neat finish, but it also helps in reducing the size difference between your boot and your calves.
If you have narrow calves, we would highly recommend you pull your boots up and over your skinny jeans. At the same time, we would also warn you not to tuck in bell-bottom or flared jeans into your boots.
Doing so will only make your boots look extra puffed and in a very odd way.
However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot wear wide-bottomed jeans with boots. But it will be at the expense of your comfort- provided that you are not going for either one of the two hacks as mentioned earlier.
From the outside, though, your outfit will still look in top condition since the loose upper parts of the boots will be covered by the jeans, and only the feet will be visible.
4. Secure It in Place with a Belt
Who said you could only wear belts over loose pants? If you recently found yourself purchasing a pair of boots that’s a bit too big for your size, head to the store again and get yourself a thin belt. The belt should have the same color as that of your shoes.
However, if you cannot find one that accurately matches the color scheme, you could always opt for one which falls within the same range of colors.
After acquiring your belt, place the middle part of the belt at the back of the boot. Make sure it resides a few inches above your Achilles’ heel.
Afterward, bind the entire belt around your calves in a crisscrossing manner. Once you have reached the boot’s shaft, secure the belt in place by fixing the buckle as tightly as possible. Be careful not to cut off blood supply to your calves, though.
The last thing you have to do is put your boots on normally, and you are good to go!
5. Try Lace-Up Boots
If none of the above-mentioned techniques seemed right for you, you could always try changing up your look a bit by purchasing a pair of lace-up boots instead.
While these may not look exactly the same as regular high-rise boots, but they still go a long way in providing your outfit with that extra oomph.
Besides, tall boots with an intricate working of lace leading all the way up to the calves have their very own charm too. The best thing about these boots is that you get to tighten them to your liking.
In other words, the width of your calves does not have to be at the top of your priority list when you shop for these babies. Still, as a disclaimer, we would suggest you get a pair that is almost the right size for you- if not totally.
Other similar options include boots that come with a zipper at the back and boots that have buckles and/or straps.
6. Getting a cobbler’s Help
We have strategically placed this option at the very bottom of the list to reinforce that this idea should always be treated as a last resort.
While it is totally fine to seek professional help regarding fashion-related items, you will have to keep in mind that it will always cost you quite a hefty sum.
Numerous cobblers are well-known for their fantastic work quality. But the catch here is that they do not come cheap. You should only take your boots to the cobbler if you have tried every DIY technique there isbut to no avail.
Your cobbler will reduce the diameter of the boots’ shaft so that your calves fit more snugly in them. They usually achieve this by inserting extensions made of elastic or padding the insides of the shaft.
Apart from being pretty costly, this step can also only be carried out on your boots if the material is compatible. A surefire way of knowing whether you can make alterations to your boots or not is by simply asking the staff in the store you bought them from.
Many stores also have their very own cobblers, in which case we would suggest you seek help from them instead of taking your boots to an outsider.
Conclusion
As a quick note, remember to always look for alternative ways to fixing the problem before taking your boots to the cobbler. We hope you now know how to make boots fit small calves.
If you already own a pair of tall boots, do make sure you read through our article in detail one more time to stay on the safe side. If you don’t own a pair, that’s still fine since you can always use this knowledge in the future, should you ever need it.