
Finding Plus Sized Boots:
I love knee-high leather boots. Each fall, when the local stores stock up on winter wear, boots and jackets, I head to the shoe
department with my fingers crossed. Praying this year will be the year I will be able to find a pair of leather or suede knee-high boots
that will fit my calves. Year after year, I walk away empty handed in disappointment.
A few years ago a retail company caught my eye. They have a catalog and Internet site you can order from. Roaman's clothing for plus
sized women. They were offering a boot supposedly custom designed for the plus sized woman. In whole and half sizes, in widths
from regular to double wide. The shaft of the boot was fuller than the normal boot.
I ordered them right away; I didn't care how much they cost. They ran about $79.00 USD at that time several years ago. They never
arrived. My husband was without a birthday present for me that year because of this. For three solid years after that, each fall season
when their fall catalog came out, I tried ordering the boots. Each year, once the order was placed, I received an email telling me the
item was temporarily out of stock and would be in soon. *sigh*. I began to try at any time of the year with the item number. I don't
know how a company can advertise a product, yet never have it available. But that's just me.
Finally, while flipping through a similar catalog from the company Silhouettes I found out that they too had a plus sized boot. I
ordered them right away. Here's the funny part: Two weeks after I placed my order for the boots at Silhouettes, the boots from
Roamans showed up! I kept them to compare with the others hoping they would arrive. They did, and only two weeks after I ordered
them! So here is my opinion on both:
Roaman's Naturalizer "Wonderful" boots have a sexier cut to them. They are larger in the shaft than the average boot, but they still
weren't large enough for my calves. I have discovered my right calf is larger than my left ("well isn't that special"). The shaft is just
under 16 3/8" (at size 7) in circumference vs. 17 1/4" (at size 7) on the other boots. I had ordered my size (7 1/2 W). The shaft was
so tight it cut off my circulation. I could close them, but they were tight. Yes, I know leather stretches, but I was afraid the zipper
would fail or they would be ripped at some point. They state that the shaft becomes larger the higher up the size boot, but then the
foot would be too large. The heel wasn't as comfortable as I had hoped. Not enough cushion. Plus when you take into consideration
the flakiness of the company, and the low availability of the item, I can say I wouldn't recommend buying them. Shipping and
handling ran around $14.00 USD for UPS Ground, or USPS, and today, the boots price is higher at $119.00 USD.
Silhouettes "Regence" boot has a boxier cut to them. This is especially noticeable at the ankle. There is allot more room than
necessary for me at least. You can see this (I think) in the pictures above. The leather is nice, and the shaft of the boot is larger in
cut than the other boots. I could see this right away when I had them both out of the box. While they both have the v shaped area
with the elastic, these boots have more stretch. The heel is more comfortable, and these are lined with a thermal material to keep
you warm. The shaft is easily zipped up for me. They arrived 2 weeks after I ordered them, with no hassle. The Item number for the
boots is # 400991. The price for these runs $129.00 USD, Shipping and handling was around $13.00 USD for UPS Ground or USPS.
Both companies occasionally offer the "buy now pay later" deal.
READ THE FINE PRINT: BOTH COMPANIES DO NOT REFUND SHIPPING AND HANDLING,PERIOD. KEEP THIS IN
MIND WHEN ORDERING. JUST TO TRY SOME ON, IT WILL COST YOU MONEY.
If a catalog company does not advertise the circumference on a boot you like, email them and ask them to tell you the size before you
consider ordering.
You can also take a seamstresses tape measure (available at any fabric store) with you when you try on boots so that you can measure
the circumference on a boot that does or doesn't fit you well. Then, when you're online (and unable to try things on) if you find out
the circumference, you'll be able to know right then if it will fit you.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
OTHER IDEAS ON BOOTS:
You can try on a pair of lace up boots. There are some suede boots out there, which are made with the fringe across the tops. They
lace up on either the front or the side. They are very medieval looking. You can cut off the fringe if you feel it is not adding to the
look you are after. These are completely adjustable to your calf. Just keep in mind that they still need to be able to close and feel
comfortable! I have had mine for years, and have worn them to many an outdoor event, water, rain, etc..and they still hold up. I
spotted some for sale over at the "Pillaged Village" web site here:
http://www.pillagedvillage.com/
They have the short boots, for $37.00 USD and the knee-high boots for $55.00 USD. I have never done business with them before,
so I cannot vouch for them. Look under accessories, footwear and headgear. They have lots of cool things for sale there! The only
drawback to this style boot in my experience is they tend to loose grip on reality and slouch. I was always pulling them up, and
re-lacing them. Unless you are able to secure them better than I could, this might be a problem for you.
And here is a revelation-sort of, for me anyway.. One day the thought occurred to me, why not try on some of those stretchy material
boots? So that's what I did. In Target, in the fall when the fall boots came out, I found a pair of knee high brown faux suede boots.
See this pic blown up by clicking on it. These boots cost all of $34.99 USD, and are made of a faux stretchy suede material. Very
giving. The only size they had left that day that was close to my size was a 8 1/2 size. I normally wear a 71/2 to an 8. I said what the
heck-and sat down to try them on. The first thing I noticed, the shoe wasn't as big as I expected it to be for a 8 1/2, felt more like my
8 or 7 1/2..the zipper started going up and when I got to the dreaded above ankle spot, I expected them to choke, as they all do- and
not fit, but they kept on going, I think I might have started laughing out loud hysterically to myself and looked quite a bit like a mad
woman at that point..=0) They FIT!! I do not know why, and I do not care!! LOL They have a 3" heel to them, normally I do best in a
max heel height of 2 1/2", but I will learn to walk in these babies. I want to give this as a thought to you all, who love boots like
these the way I do- go find some of the stretchy type and try them on. Try a size or so larger than normal for you as well. See what
happens. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
A fellow Pre-Raphaelite shares with us this idea on making your own boots for yourself, maybe with the help of a shoemaker..
"First, we found PULL ON ANKLE LENGTH LEATHER BOOTS (NO LACES) We removed the stitching that held the boot-top in
place, so what we were left with was a "shoe" with a "tongue".
From there, we went to a store that sells suede and leather remnants (FABRIC STORES, UPHOLSTERY SHOPS, ETC.)and picked
out pieces long enough to go over the knee and wide enough to wrap around the leg to the ankle, that matched the boots. (Soft
leather or suede works best for this.)
Next, we took an old sheet (YOU COULD ALSO USE MUSLIN FOR THIS STEP), cut pieces wide enough and long enough to
wrap around each leg from knee to ankle, then pinned and trimmed them to fit. This becomes the pattern for the "boot top". (TIP:
It's best to have someone help you do this.) Make sure the pattern allows overlap down into the shoe.
Once we were confident of the pattern, we transferred it to the leather and cut the leather out. Leather does stretch, but I suggest
leaving a 1/2" seam allowance in the pattern so the boots will be comfortable the first time you wear them. (As I recall, we allowed
the leather to overlap a bit for this.)
The last step was to take them to a local shoemaker and ask if he could do the stitching to attach the "boot top" to the shoe. He
charged us about $10.00 per boot, and by the end of the day, voila! Knee-high boots that fit!!
All in all, we spent about $18.00 for the boots (Men's section at Wal-Mart), $15.00 for all the leather, and $20.00 per pair for the
stitching, but it was worth it. I've had these boots three years, and they are still as comfortable as the day I put them on. Roughly
$50.00 per pair, total.
FYI:(IF YOU'RE THINKING OF MAKING SOME FOR YOUR DARING RANGER) My boyfriend purchased boots that were
heavier and had a reinforced toe, because he uses them in "combat"(Think "Musketeer"-style knee-high riding boots, minus the spurs).
Follow the same steps for your own boots."
Another Pre-Raphaelite shares this with us:
"I ended up buying the normal version of a boot from Naturalizer and having them stretched... until they couldn't be stretched any
more... and then the man (shoemaker) put in elastic inserts so my legs would fit in...the larger calf version(of this boot) were just too
big."
This is a great thought for those of you that are on the edge, or stuck there between plus size and regular size. Plus size is too big and
regular size too small.
And lastly, there is always the option of "boot tops" that are worn over the leg and your own shoe. There is a pattern I have from
1997 made by Butterick, that is for a "Star Wars" type costume, and included is a pattern for "boot tops". I made a "Jedi" costume for
my husband and I decided to use his old dark brown lace up shoes as the base for the "boots".
Then I bought vinyl in the similar color as the dark brown shoes. I made the boot tops with the pattern, and used BLACK 3/4"
elastic at the bottom (this holds it on under your shoes) rather than the white shown in the pattern photo, so that it blended better
into the bottom of the shoe.
These look just fine, especially for something like Halloween. They have velcro up the backs of each "shaft" to keep them closed. The
pattern suggests adding boning to the inside of the boot tops if you want a stiffer boot.
There is a newer pattern out there made by Simplicity. It does have a boot top pattern inside it; I am not 100% sure on this. This is
pattern Simplicity 9753. This pattern set is for a Merlin style cloak, and a King Arthur style outfit, for men. This doesn't mean you
can't use the pattern, or pieces of it. It was featured in the Halloween book this fall.
I hope I have given lots of options to you all; yes you can have knee high boots!!
Full Figured Fashion Tips
MY EXPERIENCE WITH PLUS SIZE FASHION:
One good experience I had with Roaman's is, I did order some plus size leather jeans and they are very nice. They are lined and very
comfortable. They have elastic in the back. They have sizes 18W-28W, and they have tall sizes. The only place I note tightness is in
the knee area. This I am sure would stop if I wore them more often. The item number for the pants is #509-30157-342 and they run
$69.99 and $74.99 (tall) USD.
I did not like the experience I had with an online retailer called "Size Appeal" at all! They have some really cute clothes too, so it's
too bad. The problem I had with them is, I ordered a skirt from them in my size (1X) and what I received was a Misses XL...Uh,
HELLO this is NOT the same thing! LOL. I emailed them back and asked for a 2X, as long as the 2X was REALLY a 2X, not an
XXL...they said it was, and what I received was a Misses XXL!!!! Arrrggghhh. I wouldn't recommend buying from this company. You
might have better luck than I did, but I doubt it. Food for thought: you can be two different sizes. I don't just mean you might wear a
larger bottom than a top, I mean for me: I can wear a Misses size 18 bottom, but I can also wear a Women's size 16W on the bottom.
They are about the same. I can wear a Misses XL top (14/16) or I can wear a Women's 16W. They are about the same. So- keep this
in mind when you are shopping..and do yourself a favor, try on a few different sizes, you might be surprised to see what fits you best.
No, you are not forced to settle for the frumpy clothes at the "back of the store" at the large chain retail stores; here's a list of online
catalog retailers for you:
I'd also like to recommend to you, please start watching BBC's "What Not to Wear" with Trinny & Susannah. These women have
totally changed the way I decide what to buy, and how I look. They are some smart b*tches!! I say that with all respect! They will tell
you EXACTLY the truth, and that's why you should trust them. I do not ever watch the TLC version of this show, because I do not
feel that the hosts are as honest as Trinny & Susannah are. Check your local tv listings for BBC's What Not To Wear. One of the
most important thing you will learn from watching this show is, YOU ARE IMPORTANT. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, you just gotta
learn how to show it off properly. They also have a web site with forum. It's only by hearing the harsh honest truth that you can
finally move on, if you choose to.
KIYONNA
http://www.kiyonna.com/
THE PLUS SIZE YELLOW PAGES
http://www.plussizeyellowpages.com/
GRAND STYLE
http://www.grandstyle.com/
ROAMANS
www.roamans.com/
UNIQUELY ME (HAS MATERNITY TOO)
http://www.uniquelyme.com/
LANE BRYANT
http://www.lanebryant.com/
JC PENNEY'S
www.jcpenney.com/
*(look under women's- special sizes)
JUNONIA ACTIVE WEAR
www.junonia.com/
REAL SIZE
www.realsize.com/
PLUS SIZE BRIDAL
www.plussizebridal.com/
FREDERICKS OF HOLLYWOOD
www.fredericks.com/
HIPS AND CURVES
http://www.hipsandcurves.com/
AVENUE
www.avenue.com/
COLDWATER CREEK
www.coldwatercreek.com/
ALWAYS FOR ME.COM
http://www.alwaysforme.com/
PLUS SIZE TEEN DIRECTORY
http://www.largerteens.com/
ONE HANES PLACE
http://www.onehanesplace.com/
B&LU.COM
http://www.beninaandlu.com/
IGIG:
http://www.igigi.com/
BABY BECOMING (Plus Size Maternity)
http://www.babybecoming.com/
PICKLES & ICE CREAM (Plus Size Maternity)
http://www.plusmaternity.com/
MATERNITY 4 LESS PLUS SIZE STORE
http://www.maternity4less.com/Merchant2/extra/index2.html
Web Site for "What Not To Wear" on BBC America:
http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/home_living/what_not_to_wear/what_not_to_wear.jsp
NOTE: I HAVE NOT PURCHASED ITEMS FROM EVERY RETAILER LISTED, SO SOME MAY BE MORE RELIABLE
THAN OTHERS.
