Things to Consider When Shopping for Boots with Short Legs / for Petite Women
Nov 03 , 2021
Tags - Boots for Short Legs / Boots for Petite Women
It’s finally boot season again!
The time has come to put your sandals away and get your autumn/winter wardrobe ready.
But if you’re a petite woman, have you struggled finding the perfect boots for you?
As a short girl, I rely on heels to give me some extra inches, especially when wearing long clothes like jumpsuits or maxi dresses.
However, as it begins to get colder, there’s nothing better than a pair of boots to wear on a daily basis.
Not to mention add a touch of class to any outfit.
The most challenging part is finding the right boots because my legs are so short.
Yes, there are ankle boots, but they’re not warm enough for the bitter cold, and in terms of knee high boots, they’re not exactly designed for the shorter woman.
If this sounds like you, I’ve summarised a few things to consider when shopping for boots with short legs.
Boot Measurements
Before we jump into how to shop for boots, you’ll want to understand how they are measured to ensure you get the perfect fit.
Similar to petite clothing, the measurements of the boot itself will determine whether they will fit properly. There are 4 measurements to look at:
- Shaft Height: this is the length of the boot from the base to the top
- Calf Circumference: this is how it fits around your calf - some are cut for women with slimmer legs and others have stretchy fabric that conform to your shape. Some may have functional laces, perfect for wider calves and some are made for women with wider than standard calf measurements
- Ankle Circumference: this is measured around the narrowest part of the boot
- Heel Height & Incline: the height of the heel will determine how comfortable they are - the higher the heel, the harder it is to walk
For petite women, the hardest part is to find the right shaft height.
In most cases, knee high boots that are supposed to sit just under the knee often sit in the middle of the knees for those with shorter legs, which can make it uncomfortable to walk in - generally, a shaft height under 15.5 inches should work for you.
Best Boots for Short Legs
Now that you have a better understanding of boot measurements, let's take a look at the best boots for women with short legs.
1. Knee High Boots
It may take some trial and error to find the perfect knee high boot with the right measurements, so don’t get frustrated if the first couple you try on are not right for you.
And, if you’re looking to elongate your legs, it’s a good idea to try to match the colour of your boots to the colour of jeans or trousers; if you’re wearing dresses, try to match these to the colour of your stocking so you can create the length you desire in your bottom half.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to wear a mini skirt, the key is to buy a black pair and wear with black tights which will make you appear taller.
2. Over the Knee Boots
Believe it or not, over the knee boots can look super flattering for petite women.
The reason being, if you have short legs you want to try and create length through your styling, and over the knee boots give the illusion of longer legs without a broken vertical line.
Not to mention they’re super warm for the winter months.
And because they’re supposed to fit over your knees, you won’t have to worry about them fitting awkwardly, so you can look effortlessly stylish whilst staying super comfortable.
3. Pointed Boots
Arguably, the most flattering style of boots for shorter women is those with pointed toe shapes.
Because even though they only have an extra inch at the front of the toes, it makes a huge difference in making your legs look longer than they are.
In fact, you don’t even have to wear heeled boots with this shape, even pointed flat boots will extend your legs!
4. Ankle Boots
Ankle boots always work best for petite women as you don’t need to worry about shaft heights or calf circumferences.
Rather, the trick is to wear ankle boots in the same colour as your bottom half clothing which helps to form a continuous line all the way down.
For example, if you’re wearing black jeans, then wear black ankle boots to give the long leg illusion.
Worst Boots for Short Legs
Now you know what types of boots you should be buying, let’s take a quick look at the styles you should avoid.
1. Mid Calf Boots
For women with shorter legs, you’ll want to be careful with mid calf boots, as they’re already an awkward length and can make your legs look shorter than what they already are.
Moreover, because they end at the widest part of your legs, it can make your calves look a lot bigger too, particularly if they have detailing around the openings which will draw more attention to them.
2. Square Toe and Slouchy Boots
Basically, square toe boots are the opposite to the pointed toe boots I mentioned earlier and will make your legs look shorter - not ideal!
In addition, slouchy boots or anything that are too loose will not look good on short women. You want to wear boots that are well fitted to make your legs look longer.
3. Too Much Detailing
Boots with a lot of lacing and other details look good on the shelf - there’s no denying that.
But for short women, you’re only going to draw more attention to your feet and bottom half rather than your top.
As such, the best boots are those with simple, sleek designs which will not give a broken vertical line and help to create height.
Rounding Up
When you’re on the shorter side, finding the perfect pair of boots is like finding the perfect pair of jeans; there are certain styles that will flatter your frame and some that are better left for taller women.
As a woman who is 5’3, through trial and error I’ve been able to find out what styles are best for my short legs and now, I always reference these considerations when buying a pair of boots.
From shaft height to toe shape, you want to ensure you’re investing in the right pair so you can not only look good, but feel good too!
Want to know more? Get in touch today.
Take a look at our full range of boots for women in the meantime.
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