Next, I placed a call to J. Crew, who told me that they only had “normal sizes” available in store. I bristled a little at “normal sizes,” but decided to let it go and move on to Nine West. Their salesperson told me that the shank circumference varied from style to style, and that Nine West didn’t specifically make larger calf boots. Hmmph.
I concluded that if you’re in possession of a larger shank, it seems your best bet is to measure yourself then scour the Internet for stylish boots that will fit you, rather than wasting your time running from store to store, building up your calves even more, trying on boots that don’t stand a chance of zipping. It’s a little bit of a pain not being able to try things on, so make sure to check out every site’s return policy before you buy. (Zappos’ return shipping is free!)
The best thing that’s come of my revived interest in zip-up boots is that I’ve finally shed the shame over my large calves. I liked the camaraderie my coworkers and I shared as we revealed our calf measurements; there was even a playful email exchange over bragging rights to the largest calves and all the kick-ass things those calves could accomplish. It was refreshing and empowering to see women battle for the right to the largest body part for a change. And why shouldn’t we? Sometimes bigger is better. I earned these calves the old-fashioned way: from mom, dad, and a few burritos, yes, but mostly from running, kickboxing, and power walking the gigantic hills of my beloved city. Despite what the teenage salesclerk at J.Crew thinks, my calves are normal for my 5'10" frame. If she and her puny calves want to challenge me to a calf-press or hill-running competition, I’m game. My money will be on me every time.
Some choice styles for wider calves:
Related Story: Fashion Advice: Wide Calf Boots
