For some women, boot shopping season has them turning to thoughts of calf curls at the gym. Yup, that’s right we’re talking about you skinny legs!
Ever found the perfect boot with the perfect fit around the foot area, but just too much give in the calves?
Turns out finding boots for slender calves is just as tricky as sourcing generous fits. Stretch boots are an option because they typically have a narrower cut. Town Shoes’ Crissi Giamos suggests the season’s trendy over-the-knee boot as a solution. Fans of more classic styles, however, may have to resort to having their boots altered.
Linda Aprile, an administrative assistant at Marsh Canada, an insurance brokerage, had her leather boots taken in at Mr. Presto Shoe Repair in Toronto’s TD Centre. “The shape didn’t change at all; he did a great job,” she says.
Owner Jimmy Langton says it’s a labour-intensive effort that requires care and precision. “I do them when I’m less busy. They take more time than stretching because they have to be fitted to the customer, and what can and cannot be done has to be explained.” He figures he does about 20 or 30 of those per year; the cost starts at about $65.
Kaner’s Handbags & Shoe Repair in Toronto’s Yorkville area also takes boots in; rates start at about $75. For a capable shoe craftsperson in your area, check with local shoe stores for a referral.
