Welcome to the next instalment of the Where to Buy posts. This week it is wide fit boots. Boots for the plus size, large legged amongst us. Some have extended shoe sizing. Others offer wide fitting calf and ankle boots. Earlier this week, it occurred to me that it was feeling like the cooler weather might be just around the corner. What better time to talk boots? Wide calf and ankle boots are available now for the Autumn 2013 season in Australia, right? Thankfully the brands were on the same page because the new season boots are hitting stores now. Join one with the other, and hey presto, a post is born.
Autograph Fashion
For the past couple of seasons, I have picked up at least one, if not two, pairs of boots from the Autograph range. The first year there was a black pair and a brown pair, which was pretty much it—boy, how the range has grown since then. Exciting news of the new red boots spread like wildfire through the Aussie Curves ladies, and if you head online, you’ll see the range covers a lot of bases. They are sized to a size 12 and priced at around $100. These are a great value boot, especially for their price point.
City Chic
One of the first times I met Dani from Danimezza.com, she was wearing a pair of heeled City Chic boots, and I couldn’t help but ask about them. They were a gorgeous fit, and she was running around like a madwoman in them, so they must have been comfy enough. A couple of years later, Dani still has those boots, and they are still just as fab. A good quality boot will do that for a girl. The City Chic boots have a higher price point, but the previous seasons have been worth the money if the reviews are anything to go by. I would love a pair of wedge suede boots myself. They’re on my list!
Duo Boots
This brand approached me to review their boots for the blog. Having heard some great things online and being a bit of a boot fiend, I replied that I would and pointed out a pair I’d love to test drive. It turns out {awkward} they weren’t offering me a pair; they were requesting a review. I told them I would file the idea away should I ever need it and thanked them for thinking of this blog. So when doing this post, there is no way I could go past them even though I’ve never personally tried them. There’s a HUGE selection of boots that can be ordered in various widths and sizes. Well worth a look, for sure.
TS 14 Plus
The first pair of boots in the TS14+ range has hit the online store, and I expect that there will be more to come. Last year TS14+ had some fantastic boots. So keep an eye out for more coming soon. These cute, on-trend ankle boots should get you started. Loving the chunky heel; I bet that makes them SUPER comfortable.
shop taking shape
Bennett’s Boots was one of the first brands I recommended in the last post. I don’t have any personal experience with them, but the readers here who had tried them raved about them. Extra-wide calf widths work beautifully for those who require a little more room. The sizing chart is a wonder with listings for every part of the foot and leg, so get your measuring tape and get measuring. There are also reviews on most of the boots to give you an idea of fit and quality, and let’s say that the range is pretty darn impressive. Massively so! The Adele boot is one of my wardrobe investment pieces hit list. Just gorgeous.
Shop bennetts boots.
Another brand mentioned was Boots for Broads, and when I went over to check it out, I was impressed by this collection for the modern classic styling. All the new season boots look very new season with modern colours and styles, but I believe they’ll be just as at home in the wardrobe in a few years. Beautiful detail work, and that’s not even the kicker. These boots are custom-made for your measurements. Seriously. Starting from $280 for knee-high boots, this is excellent value for a custom fit. Oh dear lord, won’t SOMEONE please pick me up a pair of those mustard boots! Gah. Perfection. And those red cowboy boots? Sigh.
Shop boots for broads (now silk sisters).
While I knew about My Size for clothing, I didn’t realise that their range included wide calf boots in sizes 38 – 41 with three levels of widths. I think they may be seasonal, though, so don’t stress if they’re not there when you go looking. The sizing chart looks detailed enough to get you a decent fit if ordering online or if there are boutique stores across Australia. It’s a small range at the moment with four boots in the field, some in brown or black. With prices from $199, I would expect the same level of quality that is synonymous with the brand’s clothing. Let me know about your experience with My Size boots if you have any; I’m very curious to hear about it.
Shop my size.
Currently, I have three pairs of SARA boots. I generally wear a size 11, but the only pair of SARA boots that fit me is a size 12. While older, size 11 boots had wider widths in calves, I found them to be pretty standard, if not a little narrow, in foot width, which hasn’t worked out for my broad foot. I’m not sure if this has changed, but in my experience with the last pair, the customer feedback comments and sizing guide were accurate, so I highly recommend using them.
The SARA brand is more of a fashion brand, and you’ll find synthetic materials and more affordable prices {similar to a lot of the boots in the first post, such as Autograph}. My brown boots from the recent Aussie Curves: Boho post is from SARA, and I couldn’t be happier with them. There are loads of incredible options there this season which is such an exciting thing to see. Yay!
Shop Sara.
Do you need a wider fitting boot? Where do you buy your shoes from?
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
I know this is old but I still feel like I have to add Frankie4 boots 🙂 X
For sure! They’re absolutely doing the rounds now, compared to then.
Duo is not good. I have ordered several boots and had to send them all back bar one. Plus on this end with my last pair I paid an extra 160 on customs, sent them back, and lost $200 on customs and postage which is not being refund. Buyer beware the sizing is not consistent and you can buy just as good locally.
This is such a nice collection! I love the black low ankle ones from Duo 😀 Do you know where I can find the prices? I usually buy from Naturalizer or Comfortview, they have pretty good boots for wide calves (like mine lol). I recently got some kick-ass biker boots from them that I’m loving!
Really stylish blog, will be following your posts 🙂
xxx
Hi Maria, thank you! During the Australian winter it was SUCH a common search for the ladies that I had to put something together. It served us all well, I think. Lots of great boots purchases and loads of awesome outfits. Enjoy your biker boots, they sound fab!
I haven’t tried them, but the ladies at bootsforbroads.com tailor-make boots to all sizes, and are reasonably priced. They’re based in Canberra but you order online.
Thanks Jodie! I heard so many great things I put Boots for Broads in my second post about boots. How could I not!? Right?
I can highly recommend wide calf boots from JessicaLondon.com. (I bought the Jackie style) Not everything on there is great, but the boots I bought were gorgeous, and I got a 40% off coupon when I joined their mailing list, and I think they cost about $35 to ship to Australia which is more than reasonable for boots. Have worn them every day and they haven’t changed or sagged, don’t show any signs to wear except for the little heel rubber bits and they are so so comfortable!!
Thank you Cat! I’m sure this will come in really handy for the ladies searching. Much appreciated.
Onestopplus.com has inexpensive wide calf boots. I love mine from there. International shipping would be the bad thing for most people.
Awesome, thanks Misty. I’ll check it out.
http://www.bennettsboots.com is fantatic. Very high quality leather boots, with a beautiful breathable furry lining. Boots come in up to 4 different calf widths for each foot size, so you can find something that fits you the way you want it to.
Awesome! Thanks for this, I had shortlisted Bennetts for the follow up post to this one. This comment made them a definite.
I recently, inspired after this post, purchased a pair from Autograph. Their flat riding boot (pictured in red above) is amazing! It fits! And I bought them on sale – down from $$99.95 to $59.95. I would highly recommend these boots to anyone who asked (and even those who didn’t). The only thing to be careful of is sizing, they are made LARGE and I, even with the widest, fattest feet in all the land went down from an 8 to a 7.
Still, best winter purchase. Ever. Thanks again, Suger!
This is SO great! Thanks for sharing your success Emma. I pick up a new pair of Autograph boots every season and haven’t had a pair let me down yet. I’m just throwing out my first pair now, they have been my mud/outdoor version for the past 6 months. Haha.
I bought a pair of CC boots I think it was the first year they did them (2009?) and they were shocking, and started falling apart within a few weeks of wear. Am sure they’ve improved since then, but the $300 price tag made me too cautious to go back.
I’m now on year 2 with a pair of black, flat knee-highs, I got from Diana Ferrari flat, which was part of a special range for those of us with larger calves. They are brilliant and still going strong in spite of constant wear.
Oh great! Thanks Rebecca. I used to wear DF boots back in my early twenties but hadn’t found any in years that worked for me. From now on I’ll check for what they have just in case!
Ezibuy for sure! I have 2 pairs from them and they are great. They have a huge range this season and have a good range in price.
I literally did the whole face palm thing when someone said Ezibuy, I can’t believe I forgot them. I’m thinking I need to edit to add them in.
Hmmm reading back over my comment I think I’ve been a little harsh on Boots for Broads…My BFB boots are seriously the best fitting boots I ever owned and not a piece of elastic in sight! for more reviews check out http://frocksandfroufrou.com/2012/05/mayde-brief-boots/ and http://frocksandfroufrou.com/2009/07/have-little-heart/ and http://frocksandfroufrou.com/2008/11/little-red-riding-boots/
Phew…now I feel better 🙂
Haha. No problem. Thanks for the links, can’t wait to check them out. LOVE Frocks and Frou Frou!
I have big feet (as well as big calves) so used to go to a Brissy store (in Hawthorne near where I lived) called The Shoe Garden. Their shoes START at size 10! http://www.shoegarden.com.au/ And the owner has a Facebook page on which she shares stuff that comes in.
Gah! Awesome. Thanks Deb.
I’ve got 3 pairs from Bennetts boots http://www.bennettsboots.com/ they may be on the pricey side but I’m happy to pay for quality and good fit. I tried on a red pair from Autograph but while they fit my calves I found them to be too large in the ankle. I’m fussy about the fit of my boots 🙂
I also bought a pair a few years ago from Boots for Broads http://www.bootsforbroads.com/ and they fit like a glove (made to measure). Be warned though I did have to replace the inner soles and the outer soles needed replacing after only a few wares, but aside from that these boots are still going strong and are the best fit!
Thank you for this! Some more great places we can check out. Gorgeous ranges!
I know what you mean about the Autograph ones, my first ones I just dealt with it I was so happy to have any option. Then the end of last year I picked up a pair of the ones with the buckle at the top, which meant I could size down for the ankle fit and loosen the buckle off. Win!
Gah I am craving a pair of ankle boots this winter but my bad feet mean I have to find some that are either ortho-friendly or fit some orthotic inserts. Will be checking out the Autograph ones for sure!
Happy shopping. I picked up my first pair of ankle boots last year and love, love them. A great investment. Go find yourself a pair, you’ll love them.
I am a little embarrassed to admit this but I have large calves and finding boots that fit comfortably is really hard. Even my new Hunter wellies are tight (beware of that brand fellow large/gorgeously shaped calve ladies). Thanks Suger … Great post been looking online all weekend at boots but then sulking about the lack of wider calf fit.
I’ve always had big calves. I blame my Father’s side and their Viking heritage. Haha. Nothing to be embarrassed about there. Enjoy looking around, there’s more variety out there at the moment then you would think. Try the panelled ones and the likes of Duo that you can order your calf width.
I am going to try on the black version of Autographs red boot you’re showing up there to see how it fits BUT I really really really want the wedge suede boot from City Chic but I’m REALLY struggling with the price tag. With HUGE calves, I need a boot that has an elasticated panel and the City Chic one does but *sigh* $250…..
I ordered some boots from Duo a couple of years ago – gorgeous they were but even though I followed THEIR sizing guide, they were too big and it cost me a BOMB to return them, so that’s something to be aware of, check sizing and triple check it, which I did but still got caught out 🙁
x
I hear you about the price tag. I once bought a pair of Joanne Mercer boots that cost me well over $300. Years later I was still wearing them and by this stage had met Hubby, we were talking about me trying to find another pair and how I hadn’t found any that I liked that would fit and that I didn’t want to spend $300+ on a pair that I didn’t love. He literally did a double take. In that moment I realised maybe that was a little pricey. 😉
Thanks for the tip with Duo. Like I said, no personal experience so am relying on you guys.
Last year I bought a pair of leather riding boots from Mysize. I had to have them reheeled with better quality rubber on the heels but once that was done they were my favourite boots of the season. They even made it into my bag for New York being so comfortable for walking. Not sure if they have some this year but worth checking out
Will do! Thanks Martina, one of the ladies on the Facebook page suggested MySize the other day and they completely slipped my mind. Glad to hear they’ve been so good to you.
I have a pair of dark brown Duo boots and they are AMAZING. Still going strong 7 years later. I wore them to work every winter day for the first 4 years because I couldn’t find any alternatives here. I’ve had a few pairs from Ezibuy and like them, though obv not leather, so haven’t lasted as long.
I’ve been eyeing off CC ones since last year and think this time I’ll buy before they sell out!
Good to hear! I’m always a little iffy about including a brand I haven’t tried myself, happy to hear this.
And YES! I forgot Ezibuy. They make a good fashion type buy.
I have a pair of burgundy suede high heeled boots from Duo also. Best time to shop is about now as they head into warmer weather and their winter stock goes on sale. My boots are 6 years old and still excellent.
GREAT! Thanks for letting us know Emma. The picking them up on sale now thing is a great idea.