Review: Two Lips Lockdown Riding Boot

It has been so long since I've posted here that I'm not sure I even have followers anymore! I'm not actually resuming this blog in the same capacity because I recently had a baby and unfortunately do not have the time I once did (I apologize in advance for any typos -- I'm writing this on my phone quickly while baby naps). But I did find a pair of boots the other day that I have to notify the community about because they seem to work for me, are reasonably priced and appear in stock!

I ordered Two Lips' Lockdown Riding Boot in both black and brown when DSW had a promotion for 30% off 2 or more pairs of shoes, so they were around $90 each. I noticed that they lace up the back and had lots of reviews about how they're great for skinny calves-- both very promising. I ordered my usual size 6. 

And I'm happy to say the black pair fit great! The shoes are leather, which is nice at this price point. The heel is great for everyday wear and I could imagine wearing them with both, skirts and skinny jeans. They are VERY lace-intensive though so once I get the right fit, I never want to adjust the laces again. 

The size 6 is an appropriate but snug fit, which is fine since I don't plan to wear them with thick socks (I find that leather boots tend to get a bit too warm). Surprisingly the brown pair were WAY looser and the shaft looked a little broken in, like they had been worn before. I wrote to CS about it and plan to return them. I hope these boots work for some of you in the community! I will try to add pics soon!

P.s- I also thought these looked promising based on the reviews:

Crown Vintage Carlee boot

Review: Franco Sarto Candy

Franco Sarto's Candy ($100) boots may work for those of you who have calves that are on the fuller side of the "skinny calf" scale, but I don't think they will work for the majority of us who have very skinny calves. The calf circumference of a size 6 measured approximately 12.75". The shaft height was 15". Although the top of the boots isn't very wide, the rest of the shaft is slightly wider and felt too wide for my 12" calves. The last two pictures below give you a more accurate picture of what they looked like when I wore them. I'm wearing thin tights in the pictures below and didn't try them on with jeans. Although I think the top of the boots would be a more snug fit with jeans, I'm not sure jeans would solve the shaft issue sufficiently for me. These boots are available at DSW and all sizes are in stock currently. 

Review: Corso Como Radar

I have a soft spot for boots with a built in knit sock, and that's what stood out to me about Corso Como's "Radar" ($80-$200) boots. I featured them in my very first boot roundup and was excited when I saw that they were still in stock and on sale. The sock hugged my 12" calf comfortably. I didn't have a problem with the shaft height (16"-16.5"), although some reviewers complained that these boots were too tall for shorter women. I do think they may be more flattering if you're taller because the shaft tends to sag, and I'm not too crazy about how the top of the sock hit me at mid-knee in the pictures below. 

Review: Aquatalia Unity (perfection!)

I became curious about Aquatalia's Unity boots (now $316-$400) after receiving multiple messages from readers who claimed success with these boots. When my size became available, I took the bait quickly. As soon as I tried them on, I understood the hype. They are the best narrow-calf riding boots I've come across and they may be the best narrow calf boots I've tried on, period. 

My size 6 had a 12.5" calf circumference (approximately). This seems to be the perfect size for my 12" calves and I think that anything smaller would be uncomfortably snug. The shaft height was 14.75". The boots are lined with a soft plaid fabric and have a sturdy and comfortable rubber sole. They fit true to size and are mostly leather, with two panels of fabric at the back. One thing I really like is that the fabric panels are very stiff and are rounded so they create the illusion of a fuller and more proportional calf. You can see this in the first two pictures below. I'm wearing tights in the pictures and did not try on the boots with jeans. 

Review: Enzo Angiolini Deanja Boots

So I ordered the Enzo Angiolini Deanja boots with the hope that they would be comfortable, with clean lines and enough of a heel to be dressy / skirt-friendly, but not too much of a heel to make walking difficult. The calf circumference on my size 6 was approximately 12.75" and the shaft height is between 14"-15". 

For the price ($100-$170) and the fact that these are leather boots, I expected the quality to be more substantial. The leather has a "crackled" look to it, which is fine but the material itself is quite thin. The shaft circumference was a good fit to the top of my calf when viewed from the side (I'm wearing very thin stockings in the pictures below so the fit would be better with jeans). However, I don't like the front view. The outer side of each boot has a small elastic/fabric panel at the top and I think this caused the boots to "fall out" at the side. Also, the boot shape is almost cylindrical, so the shaft seems like it's almost the same circumference throughout when viewed from the side. I would have liked it more if it was a bit more tapered throughout the leg. The ankle wrinkles very easily, especially when viewed from the front (although I can't be sure if this is more pronounced because of my thin ankles).

Review: Fitzwell Finley Narrow Calf (believe the hype!)

*Updated with pictures.
**The size 6 I returned has been snatched up by someone--hopefully one of you!

Finally! Boots that are actually made for narrow calves! Not ones that we have to tighten, tailor, stuff, or practically maim to get them to fit correctly. The calf circumference on a size 6 is actually 12 inches!! I couldn't get a good ankle circumference measurement but they fit my 7.5" ankles pretty well. The shaft height is 15". I measured from the arch of the foot to the top of the boot. 

The heel is 3" and although it's not a stiletto, it is a skinny heel that probably won't be great for standing or walking a lot. The description says there's a "gel comfort heel pad" but I didn't notice any extra cushioning. The sole felt a bit hard, although I wouldn't say the boots are uncomfortable. Perhaps readers who own these can weigh in about the level of comfort. 

I imagine these boots will be great with skirts and dresses. I don't think the narrow shaft will accommodate jeans unless your calves are much slimmer than my 12" calves, although tights and jeggings may work. I like that the leather isn't super shiny. The sheen on my Blondo Louna boots can be a bit much at times (I reviewed the Louna last year in this post). The Finley boots definitely seem like a better / slimmer fit on my legs than the Louna, although the Louna is very comfortable.  

I'm happy to be able to spread the word about these boots, which I hope will work for many of you. Currently, it looks like they're only sold at Zappos ($139). It looks like sizes 6 and 6.5 are sold out at the moment. I couldn't find any other online retailers that sell these boots but I'll keep an eye out for them. I plan to return my size 6 this week. I considered keeping them but frankly, I've been so fortunate to have found a few pairs of well-fitting boots over the past couple of years (many thanks to you all!) that there's just no reason for me to keep these to myself. I hope one of you is able to pick up the pair that I return.

Review: GeeWaWa Blair

A helpful reader shared her experience with GeeWaWa's Blair boots (see her comment at the bottom of this earlier post) and I'm so thankful that she did! I think these affordable boots are a strong flat boot / riding boot contender for slim-calved ladies. I apologize in advance for the graininess of some of the photos. (I removed some of the original photos and added new ones that hopefully are better).  

Altogether, I'm very happy with how these boots fit. The calf circumference of my size 6 measures between 12.5"-13" fully laced up, although it may be possible to shave off another quarter inch by replacing the leather laces with thinner ones. The shaft height is 13.5". I measured from the arch of the foot to the top of the boot--basically the full length of the side zip. The shaft hits at the widest part of my calf, so the boots look proportional to my height (I'm 5'2"). The ankle was a bit saggy. It was tough to get an accurate measurement but the ankle circumference is between 9"-10". As a reference, my ankle circumference is 7.5", although something in the 8"-8.5" range would probably look best on me. 

The boots are a soft leather and will need some type of protective treatment. The underside has no grip so these are definitely not for extreme winter weather. They lace up the back and have a "tongue" for a better fit (see the third picture). I laced them up as tightly as I could, which made the laces super long. I'd trim the laces to keep them from looking ridiculous. The toe is a bit pointy and I'm uncertain about whether they make my feet look gigantic, or whether it's not too noticeable. Our tipster said these run a bit large, but I think I can work with my true size 6. There's a bit of room in the foot but not so much that my foot will slip. I think this size would work for those of you who are a size 6-6.5 and maybe even a size 7. I'm planning to keep the brown pair. The black pair felt a teeny bit looser around my ankles. I'm still torn on whether these boots would work with skirts or dresses? I have a tough time gauging this. I still feel like a novice when it comes to wearing knee-high boots with skirts/dresses, so any input is appreciated!

Now for the bad news. I couldn't find these boots anywhere other than Shoebacca ($88), which has them in extremely limited sizes since they are on clearance. I'm planning to return the black pair tomorrow (via mail) so those of you who are a 6-6.5 can keep an eye out for them. Hopefully they'll be back up in a week or so.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any similar options by GeeWaWa (pronounced like chihuahua-- their logo is a little chihuahua :) I'd never heard of this brand but I plan to email them this review. Hopefully that will prompt them to make similar styles in the future!

GeeWaWa Blair (now $88)

Review: Mercanti Fiorentini Lazio Riding Boots

Although the positive reviews and listed calf circumference of 13" were encouraging, these boots did not live up to their hype. My true size 6 felt a half-size too large. The circumference was about 14" and the buckles were not useful in adjusting the calf size significantly. Perhaps a size 5 would be a better fit, but I'm not crazy enough about the style to order it again. At this price point, I expect a great fit. Sorry for the terrible photo! I will try to find a spot with better light.

Mercanti Fiorentini Lazio ($200) with leggings

Review: Unisa Terena Riding Boot

I ordered Unisa's Terena riding boots ($60) because they received so much "skinny calf" praise from reviewers. I hoped they'd be an affordable option that would work with skirts. Sadly, they were not a great fit for me. The calf circumference of a size 6 was closer to 14" and there was quite a bit of gaping throughout the shaft. The boots are not leather, which is to be expected at this price point. The shaft is a bit high and hit the bottom of my knee. 

 Unisa Terena Riding Boots (with leggings)

The search continues....

~ Little Contessa

Review: Aldo Floria

A good flat boot that works for slim calves is a very difficult find. The last one that worked well for me was the Simple Brrlin boot, and I bought two pairs. I'm happy to say that Aldo's Floria boot may also be a pretty good option. The boots come with a built-in knit sock "collar," so although the outer circumference is around 13.5", the inner sock wrapped around my 12" calves nicely. At 15" in length, the boots fell comfortably below my knee. The leather is a soft, slouchy suede and although the arch support seems minimal, I think they'll be decently comfortable for walking. One thing that confused me was that the boots arrived with the zipper sewn shut. Since I wasn't sure if I'd keep the boots and since I could pull them over my slim calf (even with jeans) pretty easily, I didn't try to break the thread and unzip the boots. I just assumed this would be possible, since the descriptions of the boots say it has a pull tab zipper. However, one reviewer on Zappos said she wasn't able to unzip the boots. I'm not sure I believe that the zipper is non-functional, but if any of you have experience with it, feel free to chime in. 

I ordered a size 6 (black) and the sizing felt right. I'm really looking for flat / riding boots that I can wear with skirts and I'm not sure how I'd feel about wearing these with skirts because of their slouchy-ness. However, I do think these are a nice, slightly dressier option than my Simple boots so I'm still considering keeping them. Aldo Floria are available at Zappos, Amazon, Aldo, and Asos. 

Aldo Floria

With jeans

Review: Blondo Vergara

The price of Blondo's Vergara boots recently dropped by $70 (from $250 to $180) at Nordstrom and since most sizes are still available, it seemed like a good time to post a review. I included these boots in a recent boot roundup because there are lots of shout-outs to skinny-calf ladies on the product page.  

My true size (6) fit well. The foot of the boot is leather, but the description says that the shaft is a "stretchy, diamond quilted" fabric and it reminded me of a fabric version of chain-link. I think the picture on their product page is very accurate. Although the boots fit well, they weren't my style. They are a bit too shiny for me and the foot portion seemed to stand out so I felt they made my foot look really long (another reviewer had this same complaint). However, after wearing them for a bit around my apartment, I warmed up to them more and I think they look nice in the pictures below. 

Blondo Vergara ($250, now $180)

Review: La Canadienne Dorina

After reading so many positive reviews about La Canadienne's Dorina boots ($305), I was curious to see if all the hype is truly deserved. I ordered a pair from Zappos and settled for a size 6 since they were sold out of size 6.5's (the listing says the boots run a half-size small). The verdict? I definitely see what all the hype is about! They seem really well made. The suede is thick, supple, and a nice deep black. The boots also have a soft microfiber lining and are waterproof! When I initially saw them online, I thought the button on the side of the boots looked silly, but I didn't even notice it when I tried them on (actually, I only noticed it when I sat down to write this review). 

I was surprised that the size 6 fit nicely, although I can see how some might find their true size a bit snug (I have narrow feet). I prefer to stick with this size and wear very thin socks because they are still comfortable and because of the possibility that calf circumference increases with size. I measured the circumference at 12.5". The best part is that the ankle fits snugly. As you can see in the pictures below, the boots don't quite hug my calves but I'd feel comfortable wearing them with skirts, leggings, or skinny jeans. They are a good height and hit a few inches below my knee.

Review: Biviel bv2166 Wedge

Last week, a boot that I’d spotted awhile ago –  Biviel Women's Bv2166 Wedge Boot – went on sale. Its description on Endless listed a calf circumference of 12¾, which was too good to pass up. It's also available on sale in limited sizes at Shoe Metro.

Since I read that Biviel tends to run small, I ordered a 6.5, a half-size larger than my usual. In the picture below, you can see that the boot initially fit my calves quite well. The wedge does not feel too high and it is surprisingly comfortable, although definitely not a walking shoe. The sole is not wooden and has some grip--always a good feature in the winter. The boots are a rich shade of brown and I liked the detailing on the sides. I was able to slide the boots on/off easily.

Biviel bv2166 Wedge Boot

Unfortunately, although the circumference is indeed narrow, I was disappointed to see that the boot shaft does not hold itself up. The suede is very soft so the shaft quickly slid down as I started walking. I could not figure out a way to keep the boot shaft up (Suggestions? Multiple pairs of socks would feel clunky, so perhaps leg warmers underneath?) The boots tended to settle around the middle of my shins, where my leg is much less than 12” around, so they looked pretty silly. I was so excited about this pair of boots and disappointed that they were executed poorly. 

These were not a keeper for me but maybe some of you will have better luck. I’m not exactly sure who this pair of boots would work for. Perhaps those of you with 13” calves and not very skinny shins/ankles. Or those of you who have 12-12.5” calves and can figure out a way to make them stand up straight. Here are some additional pics. 

Inside Leg

Outside Leg (boot doesn't stand up on its own)

A couple of years ago, Biviel made a pair of boots with a calf circumference that was apparently truly 12". Here's to hoping that they'll do something similar in the near future!

Little Contessa

Review: Simple Brrlin Boot

Thank you to the commenter who suggested I try Simple's Brrlin boot! I recently retired my only pair of casual, “daily-wear” knee-high boots after they I pretty much wore them down to their metaphorical bone. I got the Simple boots in the mail yesterday and am thrilled! The rear buckle allowed me to adjust the boot snugly to my 12” calf and I think it could certainly work for smaller calves as well, but may have a little bit of gaping in the back. I like that the entire shaft is narrow so there isn't too much of a difference between the width at the top and at the ankles. The upper is thin suede and so perhaps it could stretch with a lot of wear? I'm not sure so others who own the boot will have to weigh in. The suede is soft and malleable, so I can roll the boots up and tuck them into my big purse. This will come in handy in the winter, since I usually use a comfy pair of shoes for walking and change into heels or heeled boots when I actually get to where I’m going (e.g., work, dinner).

Simple Brrlin ($68-$90)

Fit & function– I am usually between a 6-6.5 and selected the latter because quite a few reviewers said the boot ran small. The fit is comfortable, although I’m not completely convinced that I couldn’t fit into a size 6. The 6.5 is a little loose so my foot slides a bit when I walk, but it will be fine with thick socks. If it annoys me, I’ll put in an insert. I guess it’s better than being too tight. As you can see in the picture above, the top of the shaft hit several inches below my knee. Despite being a slouchy boot, it stayed up nicely when I wore it today, probably because the buckle keeps the fit snug. The boots are very comfortable but seem to have little to no arch support if that’s something that matters to you.

Ordering tips– These boots seem to be available on a bunch of sites including Endless, Shoes.com, and Planet Shoes (get 20% off for a limited time with code extra20). The grey and chocolate are on sale at Zappos and Amazon, and I chose Zappos because of their free shipping/returns and frankly, their awesome customer service. Amazon also lists a bunch of other retailers who are selling the boots. 

Review: Franco Sarto Whitney Boot

I was excited to try on the Whitney boot ($130) because several reviewers on its DSW product page alluded to a narrow calf. It looks like a pretty nice, standard boot-- the kind that doesn't make an outfit, but complements it. I ordered the dark grey and found the color pretty versatile. The boot is made of a thick, good quality soft suede, with a full zip up the side. The material is stiff enough so it doesn't sag, and I didn't spot any obvious gaping at the ankles. There doesn't seem to be much cushioning in the heel and ball of the foot, but it still seems comfortable, despite the high heel. My true size 6 fit well. 

As you can see in the picture below, the shaft is quite tall-- way too tall for me. Unfortunately, it's also way too wide for my calves. The description lists a circumference of 15" but I measured approximately 13.5" and assume that it could potentially stretch to slightly larger than that. I think it's a good option for 13.5"-14" calves, but not a viable option for skinnier calves. 

Franco Sarto Whitney wedge boot ($130)

So far, I've only seen these boots at DSW, which has regular shipping / promo codes. Remember to look up if any are available if you plan on ordering. Their website also allows you to check the boots' availability at your closest DSW store. 

Review: Naturalizer Naya Quail Boot

Although I generally avoid Naturalizer boots because they favor wider calves, I took notice of their Naya Quail boot a few weeks ago. Naya is Naturalizer’s eco-friendly line and is quite a bit more expensive than regular Naturalizer shoes. The Naya Quail boot stood out to me because the expandable partial zipper in the back looked like it would accommodate smaller calves as well as bigger ones. They probably expect that most women will wear the boot unzipped to expose the sweater lining, but I wondered whether zipping it up completely could mean a more snug fit on the calf. One aspect of Naturalizer’s website that I really appreciate is the Q&A option, where you can ask about topics that aren’t mentioned in the product description. They state that the circumference for a size 6 is 14.5”, with an additional 3/16” for each additional half-size up. I hoped that this referred to the unzipped circumference and tried my luck.

The result - I’m very happy! Although the fit isn’t perfect, it’s pretty good, and certainly the best fit I’ve experienced in a long time given that I have a 12” calf. I think this boot would be wonderful for those of you with 13-14” calves. My one major annoyance is that there is quite a bit of gaping for me in the ankle. Of course, I have very slim ankles (6”circumference) so I hope this isn’t an issue for most of you. But honestly, I do wish that companies would realize that women with slim calves probably also have slim ankles, and craft their boots to accommodate that. I might consider taking the boots to a cobbler if I can find a trustworthy one, to explore whether the ankles can be taken in.

Naturalizer Naya Quail in Bordo

Fit and function - I ordered the Bordo color, which is a lovely dark red-brown much like the picture on the Naturalizer website. My true size 6 fit best. A 6.5 was too roomy even with socks. Plus, I doubt I’ll have to wear thick socks with these since their entirely leather shaft means they’ll be pretty warm. I’m 5’2” (hence the blog’s title!) and the shoes hit about 2” below my knee. The leather is very soft but the boots do stay up pretty well, aside from the unfortunate wrinkling around my ankle. They’re also very comfortable, which is pretty great given the 3” heel. The shoe is a little noisy because of the buckle, but I suspect that will be less of a problem for those with slightly bigger calves, since the buckle doesn’t rest snugly on mine.

In addition to Naturalizer, the boots are also available at Endless, Amazon, Zappos, Planet Shoes, Shoebuy, and Piperlime. 

I hope this helps! Feel free to add your comments if you have this boot or if you have any questions for me!

Little Contessa