15 Ways to Add Sparkle to Your Step

As a gal with a little more meat and muscle on her bones, this has always been a problem for me. It’s infuriating, but it feels even more isolating. I can’t always wear the same styles that smaller women do, and even if I do find similar boot designs fashioned for wide calves, they look noticeably cheap or simply don’t check all the boxes in terms of my desired look.

I grew tired of saving all the “perfect” tall boot outfit inspo pics to my Pinterest board only to find that the boots in question had way too small of calf sizes, so I did what I always do when I shop for size-specific pieces: I took to Reddit.

I primarily consulted r/femalefashionadvice, r/plussize, and r/ausfemalefashion to see what people like me are saying about wide calf boots. The frustrations with finding good-looking, comfy tall boots was pretty similar across all three subreddits. As one passionate user put it:

“Even at a size 6, I have never been able to just buy any old pair of boots and have them fit. It is interesting to me how we've made great progress the past several years in regards to body inclusivity, yet somehow there seems to be a huge lack of sizing in regards to tall boots… It makes me so sad to see these beautiful boots everyone else gets to wear, slouchy, over the knee, western inspired, leopard/snake print, etc. Nothing like that comes in wide calf.”

Luckily, Redditors across all three threads suggested a handful of brands that actually offer cute wide calf boots with extended sizing. I had never heard of a few of them, but after scrolling through their sites, it felt like I struck gold.

The top-recommended brands for wide calf boots:

• Penningtons
• Børn
• DuoBoots
• Franco Sarto
• Sam Edelman
• Billini

Franco Sarto Bowman Wide Calf Knee High Boots

You're meaning to tell me these chic boots can really accomodate my calves?! The deep red color already had me sold, but that 15.75-inch calf circumference made this style so much better. They also come in a smooth brown color and a foxy faux-snake pattern, if those speak to your personal style more.

Børn Hayden Extended Calf Boots

The suede leather construction of these boots honestly rivals that of the beloved Campus boot, but their fit is much more roomy, boasting a 16.5-inch calf circumference. These zippered boots also have a playful lace-up detail on the back that's utterly unique.

Penningtons Extra Wide Width Black Tall Heeled Boots with Harness Straps

The calf circumference on these bad boys starts at around 17 inches for shoe size 6, and tops out around 19 inches for shoe size 12. I can't get enough of these moto-style boots and I love that they have the signature harness with silver hardware around the base that other similar boots do.

DuoBoots Saffron Knee High Boots

The fact that you can choose the calf sizing yourself when purchasing these Western-esque boots is ahh-mazing. The options start at 13 inches and go up to 20 inches to hold your beautiful legs without any fuss.

Billini Granger Extended Curve Boots

From all the wide calf boot brands suggested on the Reddit threads I scrolled through, Billini has to be my favorite. They state that these adorable camel-colored boots can fit calf sizes from about 18.11 to 21.42 inches, and while they do have an elastic panel on the sides to stretch even further, I think it's discreet enough that it doesn't distract from the overall look. Score!

Baretraps Thalia Wide Calf Boots

A very similar style to my wishlist Sam Edelman boots, this black pair actually has a 16.5-inch calf circumference that'll fit my legs to a tee. The block heel is the perfect shape and height, plus the toe isn't overly pointed (I don't necessarily care for pointy toes).

Sam Edelman James Wide Calf Western Boots

Finding cowboy boots with wide calves can be a big challenge – but no more! These reddish-brown boots have a 16-inch calf circumference so you can confidently rock any and all Western looks.

Billini Oshea Curve Boots

Immediately yes. These broader-fit boots are everything you need to make a statement with your shoes. They're definitely going on my wishlist! The calf circumferences for this style start at 16 inches and go up to 19 inches based on your shoe size.

Vince Camuto Seshon Extra Wide Calf Boots

With a 18-inch calf circumference, you won't have to worry about squeezing into these tall boots. I adore the timeless squared toe and wide block heel on these!

Stemon Three Tone Block Heel Boots

Post-fall shoe haul, it's likely you already have some classic black booties — and that's where these babies come in! I absolutely love this tri-toned pair of block heels to add a dash of fun to any look. The metallic accents are super on-trend right now, and the shiny vibes are perfect for these more twinkly months. They also come in a black variation, if you're looking for something different!

Wheedle Croc High Heeled Calf Boots

We've made it explicitly known that red is our color, through and through. So obviously I had to add these tall boots to the roundup! This pair is sexy and chic, elevating your style to the next level with the croc-embossed faux leather. Not feeling the red? You can choose from two other colors — plus, they're on sale for $59!

Women's Shelby Slingback Ballet Flats with Memory Foam Insole

Now these? These are absolutely darling! Ballet flats are back and truly better than ever right now — as exhibited by this bow-embellished pair from Target. The slight shimmer adds just enough sparkle without being too much, and the bow could go with everything from a pair of jeans and a sweater to your fave holiday look! These $35 shoes also come in red if you're feeling bold!

Women's Taylor Jet Studded Kitten Heel Ankle Boots with Memory Foam Insole

IDK how to explain it, but I just know Emily would slay these in Paris. She'd likely dress them in an unexpected way — I'm envisioning sweats and a beret? IDK? — and I'd immediately try to recreate the look. And while studs can make a statement, these are also just neutral enough that you can get away with a more subdued style as well. At $43, these are a total steal!

Struter Embroidered Platform Fur Classic Slip-On

Uggs duuuupe! These platform slip-ons are perfect for those days when you're out and about with your Starbucks in one hand, pushing the Target cart with the other. These also come in three other colors, and they're currently on sale for $42

Harness Buckle Ankle Boots

Some days require an edgier look that's even...dare I say, borderline grunge? It's our favorite way to dress when we're in a mellow mood, so if this sounds like you, slip on these cute ankle boots. The round, closed toe and cushioned footbed make them way more comfortable than they look.

Women's Elsa Mary Jane Ballet Flats

Metallics are perfect for the holiday season — and throughout the rest of winter, for that matter. These are great for the days you have to double up on a day at the office and make it to the holiday party by 7. Plus, at just $30, what more could you ask for?!

Ball Heel Stretch Ankle Boots

Keep it stylish with these glam boots! They heel height is only 2.25 inches, so the soles of your feet won't be under a ton of pressure as you strut through town. You get all the fun of a unique look without all the typical struggle of a unique shoe.

Slip On Mule Flats With Memory Foam Insole

These flats are so gaudy, but we're mesmerized by them. They take studs to the next level — and yes, I'm thinking about Emily in Parisagain. The round closed upper won't crush your precious toes, while the backless feature will make you happy as you pad around Target looking for new things to buy.

Women's Pippa Chunky Heel Ankle Boots

Love the first pair I shared, but wanna commit to the all-metallic vibe? These booties are here for you. At only $40, you'll shine bright like Eve from Life-Size. And with that block heel, you'll definitely be able to shine far while you're at it.

Women's Sage Slide Slippers

You obviously need plenty of shoes to strut your stuff around the town, but you also deserve a little something chic for the house! These stylish slippers are only $15, so you can comfortably make your way from the couch to the tea kettle — and look cute while you do it!

Ivette Tru Comfort Foam Pull On Boots

Normally we'd save a pair of boots like this for apple mazes and pumpkin patches, but there's no rule against wearing them during winter. They're a universal must-have in our book because of how sturdy they are, not to mention their gorgeous brown color!

Junie Tall Boots

We know you'll still be wearing sweater dresses during winter because we will too! They're not complete without a pair of tall boots though. You'll love how versatile these suede pair are and may want to wear them with all of your winter OOTDS.

Fur Mule Loafers

Gucci stole our hearts with their 2015 Re-Edition Women's Princetown mules, but the price tag reminded us of the budgets we've been living on. We're willing to bet you're not interested in spending over $1000 for mules, but now you don't have to! These stylish loafers are only $35 at Target, but hurry because they're selling out!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!