The Vine: November 19, 2010
Dear Sars and The Nation,
I have baby-fine, stick-straight hair, and I’ve learned over the years that I want to work with it, not against it. A new stylist who cut my hair at the beginning of the summer recommended that I stop using conditioner, which I’ve been told before, because my hair is so fine that conditioner just weighs it down. I’ve never been able to do that, though, because without conditioner, I end up looking like I’m walking around with a Van de Graaff machine in my pocket all day.
However, I’ve been happy this summer using the product she recommended, Tiger Protein Reconstructor spray. I use it a little differently from the instructions on the package — I pretty much use it as you would a conditioner, in the shower, and I even rinse most of it out. I suspected I was rinsing money down the drain (the instructions call for putting it on damp hair and leaving it in), but my hair does seem to behave better all day when I use it than when I skip it.
My question for the Nation is whether they know of any product that does the same thing or is similar but doesn’t cost so darn much. If the product linked above the same product (the bottle I have is purple, so I’m assuming they just changed the packaging), it’s already cheaper on Amazon than it was in the salon, so that’s a start.
Do other people with fine hair use this product? Is it possible I’m just experiencing a placebo effect and convincing myself that it works? And will it still work in the winter, or will I need to weigh down my hair with conditioner some more to avoid the cold-weather flyaways?
Is That A Van De Graaff Generator In My Pocket, Or Am I Just Happy To See You?
*****
Hi Sars,
Yay for me! I just got a new job! It leads me to a problem, though, and I need some expert help from the Nation.
My problem is shoes…and scoliosis. It’s a fairly dressy office (ties for men and slacks/skirts for ladies). I have scoliosis caused by an anatomically short left leg. A 3/8″ heel wedge provides a lot of pain relief and helps me stand/walk straighter, but it’s really hard to find dressy shoes that will hold the wedge without my heel popping out on every step. I walk like Lurch as it is, so shoes that require me to step juuuuust right (to avoid derailing myself) are a real problem.
The other problem is, every time I find a shoe with a deep enough heel cup to let me walk freely, those shoes are so fugly my grandma thinks they’re out of style.
So, can anyone suggest something that meets these criteria?
- Ladies’ dress shoes, with a deep heel cup. Deep enough for 3/8″ of plastic to tuck in there without my heel popping out the top. Ankle straps totally help, but aren’t mandatory if the shoe is built right.
- Basic, classic style. I am not trendy by any means, so one of those never-goes-out-of-style styles is probably best. Comfort and function is much more important. Boring is perfectly OK, actually, as long as it’s not going to make people stare in horror at my feet.
- No significant heels…I seem to get away with kitten-heel styles up to about an inch. Anything higher than that just kills my back.
- Can work with business skirts, dresses, and/or pants. (If it’s one or the other, please tell me which one, because I am clueless.)
- The wedge itself is hard clear plastic, and I don’t really care if it shows (it’s hard to see, really.) So an open-back shoe is not out of the question. I can tape the wedge in place if some open-back model is a real winner. That said, I usually have a hard time with mules; the heel straps fall down most of the time. Sandals work OK.
- I live in a mild-winter area and don’t have to do a lot of hard walking, so these do not need to stand up to snow/mud/ice or miles of street wear. Long-lasting would be nice, though, especially if they’re spendy.
- Finally, I’m open on cost. I don’t have a lot of extra cash, but can save up for something quality if it will do the job well and last for years. $300 would take a lot of saving, but $100 is a pretty reachable goal. I’ll also spring $20 for something that will get me by, even if it falls apart in two months! There’s several DSW locations near me, if that helps.
It’s a tall order, but are there any suggestions?
Please, spare me from the grandma shoes!
*****
I’ve been on the hunt for knee-high boots for a couple years now, and I am met over and over with frustration. I just want simple, knee-high, black boots — a bit of a heel, tight in the calf, look awesome with skirts. And I cannot find anything to fit me. Why? I’m pretty sure the answer is my feet.
I have size 10 feet (42 in European sizing), but I’m not especially tall or large. However, the shoe companies seem to think calves come in proportion to feet. Everything I try on ends up looking like galoshes — not really the sexy fashion look I was going for. I started going for boots that had some slouch to them, thinking that might help, but even with those there’s still an extra gap at the top that doesn’t look good.
I found one pair that worked reasonably well a few years ago at JCPenney — even though they still were somewhat wrinkly — but they were kind of cheapies and the heel started wearing off almost immediately. Then the geriatric cat peed on them, and ever since then I’ve been back on the hunt with no luck.
Do the readers have any recommendations for brands of boots that are either 1) tight in the calf even at larger sizes, 2) adjustable in some way or 3) styled in such a way that the extra space looks OK? (Or really effective calf-toning exercises, heh.)
If I can find these I will be so happy!! I have a friend with the same size feet who told me just to give up, but I thought, “I’ll give it one more shot by asking The Vine.”
Bigfoot seeks small boots
Tags: Ask The Readers health and beauty retail
@Bigfoot Smallboots – I can’t help much with finding you some boots (being male and British), but I can definitely vouch that there’s nothing better for shapely calves than standing calf raises! Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful, I hope someone else can!
Van–what your hair is probably responding well to in that stuff is the protein, which fine hair tends to like. Consider switching your shampoo and conditioner to brands with protein built in. If you’re looking for cheap, you can’t get cheaper than Suave, and the Suave Naturals Coconut shampoo and conditioner are both full of protein and like 99 cents a bottle.
Bigfoot, I’ve got the opposite problem–big feet but calves that are too, um, athletic? to fit into most tall boots. I haven’t bought from them yet, so I can’t personally endorse, but friends have recommended that I save up for a pair from http://www.duoboots.com/–custom calf fit means never having to gap at the top.
@smallboots
Do you have Clarks in the States? It’s a UK brand but one of things they are great at are adjustable boots in large sizes – check out http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/department-is-women/size-is-_8/producttype-is-boots/enduses-is-smart/product-is-20333519
or
http://www.clarks.co.uk/find/department-is-women/size-is-_8/producttype-is-boots/enduses-is-smart/product-is-20342436
@Bigfoot: I have sasquatch feet and legs like pipecleaners, so I feel your pain. After *extensive* shopping around last winter I found a perfectly-fitting pair of plain black leather boots, just below the knee, one-inch heel, in a shop called Cara. A lot of their styles are tailored for women with slimmer calves, even in larger shoe sizes. Unfortunately I think they are UK only and ship only to European countries. But if you know anyone who could forward you a parcel, take a look at their website: http://www.carashoes.co.uk/ . They have quite a few elegant but slimmer boot styles.
Grandma shoes: My mother had one leg an inch shorter than the other after a car accident, and she would buy good shoes with a low heel, then have a cobbler put a block on the bottom of one heel. Since it was on the outside, people can see it, (although since it’s on the sole of the shoe it’s not that noticeable) but on the other hand, it’s nailed to the heel so it’s not going anywhere. This would work with any shoe as long as it had a separate heel (i.e., not flat soled shoes). Good luck!
Bigfoot and Grandma – how about boots for both of you? I’m thinking these: http://www.toms.com/womens/wrap-boots?view=all
A friend with svelte calves rocks these boots, Bigfoot, and gets a ton of compliments on them. And Grandma, I think that under slacks or a long skirt, these could fly in a conservative office. They definitely are not your Grandma’s boots. (Then again, I’m a woman in a very male dominated field, which I take to mean that I can take a lot of liberty with dress codes.) Bonus: for every pair of Toms purchased, they give a pair of shoes to a child in need.
Hope this helps – I’ve never had an answer for Ask the Readers before!
I also have really fine hair that floats all over the place. After a haircut my stylist used some Aveda Light Elements Smoothing Fluid:
http://www.aveda.com/product/CATEGORY11542/PROD5923/Styling/Straight_Smooth/index.tmpl
and I drove back to the salon that same day to buy some. It doesn’t look or feel like there’s anything in your hair, it just magically makes it all smooth and shiny.
Oh, sorry, looks like that link borked. it should just be http://www.duoboots.com
@smallboots, you might want to look into having the calves of your perfect pair of boots taken in by a shoe repair person. They can actually “tailor” boots just like you can clothes. It might be tricky if the boots are elaborate in the legs, but if you find the perfect pair and the calf fit is the only thing, you might have good luck with that.
As an aside, I think shoe repair people are AWESOME and I am crazy loyal to my current shop. They’ve fixed heels, toes, soles, and insoles on shoes for me, and straps and scuffs on purses. FAR cheaper than replacing those items (especially if the heel breaks off one of a new pair of boots the second time I wear them, ALDO I’M LOOKING AT YOU).
Grandma, I have the same problem (scoliosis caused by a leg length discrepancy) and I have a friend with various back/pelvic problems due to an accident. Both of us have had great success with having a chiropodist/podiatrist/pedorthist (depending on the terminology in your area) do custom adjustments to shoes. It’s spendy, but if you can find a pair or two that you really love, an expert can make changes to the shoes that are comfortable, permanent, and will make them wearable for your situation.
Dear Grandma- What about Dansko’s? Nurses and doctors swear by them, as they are easy on the back and feet for people who stand all day. I had a pair of the reddish brown professional ones, bought for about $100. They were very comfy, professional enough, and decent for walking through unexpected mild snow. The finish wore off after about 2 years, but I wore them most days and really beat the heck out of them.
http://www.zappos.com/dansko-womens-shoes~1
Dansko’s fit a bit differently than most shoes and may make you feel too wobbly. The fit is designed to be easy on your feet and back. I would check around to see if there’s a store where you can try a pair on and walk around for a good while to get used to them.
Best of luck :)
Bigfoot: I don’t know how much you want to spend, but the Fluevog Earl of Warwick Montagu has tiny, skinny calves.
http://tinyurl.com/3ago3qb
I recommend Fluevogs in general, and own quite a few pairs; they are well built, either classic or freaky enough not to really “go out of style”, and I’d say worth the fairly stunning price.
Anyway, I was looking for a black boot of similar nature myself, last year, and ordered the Montagu. It did not fit my (15″) calves; it wouldn’t even go up above the area where the calf starts to swell on my leg, so I’d guess in a size 8 the shaft was about 12″ around. (My shoe guy refused to even attempt that much of a stretch, so I wound up getting the Fluevog Adrian Heidi, which also needed to be stretched for me, but not as much.
Bigfoot, Try Via Spiga boots. They have tiny calves, and break my heart every time I put them on. They look lovely, and my calves don’t fit in them! (and I don’t have huge calves, but do have size 10 feet). Also: I’ve found Zappos’ calf measurements to be spot-on, so that will help.
I have a friend with a similar-but-opposite boots-related problem: her calves are too big for the boots she tries on. I went shopping with her this weekend and felt horrible as she tried on every pair of boots in every department and specialty store in the mall, and couldn’t zip (or completely pull up) any of them. It was a question of them being a bit too snug; she literally couldn’t get them on. I actually suggested she write in to the Vine, and then this question popped up!
So while we’re solving calf-related boot dilemmas, does anyone have suggestions for boots that will fit larger calves? The girl in question is about 5’3″, a size 14, and wears a size 8 shoe. She’s looking for flat, knee-high boots that can withstand a Boston winter and fit over her skinny jeans.
@Erin, you might try searching for that; I could swear we’ve covered the larger-calves waterfront before at some point.
If not, I’d recommend Blowfish. Super-comf, not too expensive, and they make a lot of scrunchy and/or fabric styles.
…My bad, we did do wider-calved boots, but for dudes. As you were!
@erin: Have your friend try http://www.widewidths.com/ – They give you the calf measurements for each foot size and range from wide to to extra wide to super wide; she’ll just need to measure her calf width.
I found a great pair of knee-high Naturalizers via this website then just ordered them directly from the Naturalizer website as the shipping was cheaper for me (Canada). The good thing about the boots is I have a few pairs of Naturalizer shoes so I know they fit my foot well. She could always try on a pair of the brand’s shoes at a store to confirm foot size and then order the boots online. I was super happy with mine.
@Bigfoot, I am 5’3″ and wear a size 10 shoe so I feel your pain! I have a pair of Arturo Chiang “Patty” boots that fit quite snug around my calf. A little scrunchy at my ankle, but wearing athletic socks underneath helps.
A quick google search deems that this style isn’t made anymore (I got them maybe 3-4 years ago at Macy’s) but Arturo has similiar boots out there.
Erin,
My feet are slightly bigger, but I have the big calf problem (I need about a 16 1/2in circumference), and I bought some great boots at DSW.com. Online they have extended calf sizes. try there!
@Erin Torrid.com – although don’t trust their measurements. They do have brick&mortar stores (usually paired with Hot Topic)
For Van de Graff, I recommend Bumble and Bumble’s thickening spray – it’s really cut back the floaty hairs during winter for me. Just a couple spritzes on damp hair before I dry it seems to work well. Also, the bottle I have has lasted for a long time; I think it’s an 8oz, I bought it from my salon last December, and I’m maybe a quarter of the way through it, even though I use it every other day.
For the shoes, we definitely do have Clarks here in the States, so I second those, as well as the Fluevogs. Along with Ecco, Born, and Merrill, there should be some options for both shoe questions. I’m currently wearing a pair of nearly-flat Fluevog mary janes, and the back of the heel probably comes up high enough to keep Grandma Shoes’ wedge in place. Zappos carries all of these brands, except for Fluevogs (most of the time). Best part of all these brands is that they LAST, so they’re well worth the price tag if Grandma Shoes and Bigfoot find something that works.
Hi, I’m Van de Graff, and I really appreciate all your hair advice. Also, Bigfoot, I have wide feet and average calves, and I’m having the same problems finding boots you are, so thanks to everybody for the boot suggestions!
And as for Grandma Shoes, girl, do I feel your pain. I have the aforementioned wide feet, have had several foot surgeries, and I have orthotics I need to fit in my shoes. I don’t think my orthotics are as big as your heel cup, but http://www.footsmart.com might have some shoes deep enough to will accomodate it. Some of the shoes there do tend toward grandma, but not ALL of them. (I’m pretty sure they have Clarks on the site, for example.) Plus, there are other helpful foot-related items there that you might find useful. The downside is that once you order something from them, you start getting, like, the “Cripples Unlimited” Catalog and “Old People Monthly” in the mail. But don’t knock it–I ended up finding a really neat doohicky that allows me to hang my walking cane on the counter when I’m checking out at a store. :) Also, I’ve found that Mary Janes are usually the best style for not slipping out of the shoe when I’ve got my slippery orthotics in. GOOD LUCK!
@Erin http://www.womanwithin.com and http://www.roamans.com both have large-calf boots that are also stylish.
Van De Graaff, I too have stick-straight, super-fine hair that seems to both love and hate conditioner. A few years back I read this advice on some forum somewhere (perhaps The Usual Suspects?), and it changed my life. Here goes: shampoo, condition, shampoo. That’s right — wash your hair, then put the conditioner in, then rinse it out and wash your hair again. You’ll get the benefit of the conditioner without your hair feeling weighted down or gunky. It works perfectly for me, regardless of what brands I use.
Ah, the baby fine stick straight hair! I’ve had wonderful luck with right from the grocery/drug store stuff–particularly the Aussie brand. This routine works for me but not my sister, who has the same baby fine stick straight hair but a different color. I do best with a shampoo/conditioner combination plus a leave in conditioner and gel.
I wash my hair every morning with Aussome Volume 2 in 1 Shampoo. http://aussie.com/en_US/aussome-volume-2-in-1-shampoo
I use about a nickel sized (I have pretty short hair so longer may need more) amount of leave in conditioner. Right now I happen to be using an Aussie one: http://aussie.com/en_US/hair-insurance
I use about a pinto bean sized dab of gel. I like the Aussie stuff http://aussie.com/en_US/instant-freeze but when I travel I tend to just use a squirt of Aloe Vera gel which works just as well.
For the record I don’t work for Aussie (but I’m thinking I should buy stock!).
BeautiFeel Shoes. http://www.beautifeelshop.com/. You can search by heel height. I have one pair I’ve had for 15 years (alas, they no longer make that style. My local shoe repair guy has replaced the heels twice and every year cleans and winterizes them and they still look new. Similar to these: http://www.beautifeelshop.com/Doli_Black_p/9560-001.htm but with a 1/2″ heel.
If you can find a shop in your area that carries them it’s worth trying them on as I find their medium width sometimes runs a bit narrow in the closed toed shoes. They are expensive but they are worth every penny. Zappos sometimes carries them so you can order and return if they don’t fit.
@Van – I also have fine, wispy hair. My hairdresser recommended that I not wash my hair every day. (I still take daily showers, I just keep my hair out of the water.) I find my hair has a lot more body that second day, and my hair products last twice as long. So, I don’t feel as guilty spending the extra money on the more expensive products that work. Good luck.
Thanks everybody, for the large calf boot suggestions! I have the calves of an Eastern European dock worker and thought boots were out of the question for me. Huzzah!
Hey Van, I have incredibly fine hair & I haven’t used conditioner regularly in years. Instead, a few times a week (or more) about 10 minutes before I dry my hair, I use Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave-in Conditioner. It’s a spray-on, super light mist that softens the hair without weighing it down and keeps static and flyaways far far away. Amazon has it listed at about $15, but I find it at CVS or even at the grocery store for about $12.
For Grandma, I have to wear really chunky orthotics, and can recommend Think! brand shoes. Pricey, but they come with fairly thick removable innersoles, so you could take out one on the side where you wear your wedge. And they look good – I’ve got more compliments on my shoes since I started buying them than in the previous decade, and had much less agony shopping.
Ecco can also be good, but a lot of their orthotic suitable shoes are a bit granny-ish, so you’ll have to experiment. El Naturalista (a Spanish brand) have really cool shoes that also work, but it depends how formal your office is, as there’s a certain amount of visible stitching and a chunky rubber sole on most of their shoes.
Katxena, that is just crazy talk. I’m going to have to try that.
Bigfoot, if you are in a city that has a John Fluevog store, you might want to go in and try on some of their boots. A frequent complaint about Fluevog is that the calves are too damn small, and most Fluevogs go up to either a size 11 or 12. Some boot styles also have lacing or buckles that you can use to adjust the calf width.
If you can’t get to a Fluevog store, it’s worth calling one to ask about the boot you want – the staff at the stores generally know their stuff, and they will try to answer questions about fit over the phone to help you order what works.
http://www.fluevog.com. I don’t work for Fluevog, I’m just smitten with love for the brand.
Also, Amazon (and Endless.com) also carry Fluevogs, and they often have them at prices much cheaper than Fluevog.
I’m totally going to second the rec for Danskos for Grandma–I’ve had several pairs over my professional life and keep going back to them. One of my best friends has to wear orthotics and she has something like six pairs of Danskos.
I would also recommend Fluevogs for Grandma–the sides on his shoes are high enough to hide the orthotic, but they are almost always fun, funky and well made.
As for Bigfoot, have you tried Fryes? I spent the better part of an hour trying different pairs on, but I also have size 10 feet and not terribly large calves and found a pair that worked perfectly. The trick is to try on just about every style in the store–the style I went in for wasn’t the one I left with. One caveat–they are expensive and take forever to break in, but afterwards, they are heaven.
Seconding the Duo Boots recommendation, for anyone who has boot/calf issues (skinny, wide, you name it). You choose your fit by the centimeter, so they’re really well fitted, and the selection’s pretty great as well. They are not cheap, but the pair I bought a couple years ago is super comfy and fits my short, wide-calf, slightly-bowlegged legs like a dream. (Also, they included extra heel caps, so they should really last.) Someday I’ll be able to get another pair…
Also, get yourself on the mailing list; they let you know when everything starts going on sale, and if you’re willing to wait, you can get a nice deal in February/March.
@Grandma – lots of great recs already. I would recommend Kumfs. They have all sorts of dressy, classic styles, and many of them would definitely accomodate my lift. Shoot, I think the pair I’m wearing right now came with a removable half-insole that’s about that thick. They are a little spendy, between $100 and $200.
Van de Graff—I was in a very similar predicament this summer, my hair was feeling super weighed-down by conditioner but without it it tangled like crazy (my hair is super fine but there’s a lot of it, and without conditioner it always felt like the follicles had little grappling hooks all over). I finally stumbled upon Burts Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet shampoo and conditioner and it basically changed my hair life. If it’s in the 60s or warmer I don’t need conditioner at all, the shampoo takes care of the flyaways and velcro-ness of my follicles all by itself. In the 50’s or below I use the conditioner (just on the length & ends, and in varying amounts based on how dry the air is). My hair is so shiny and smooth and not static-y at all. Also, even though I had long ago given up on the dream of volume in my hair, on Day 2 my hair gets decent texture without looking dirty.
Friend with wide calves—I have enormous calves from running so no leather boots would ever fit, until I got my Naturalizers (Arrays, http://www.naturalizer.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC0224317&pg=3007542). I’ve gotten so many comments from people with wide calves (how on earth are most bootmakers ignoring this population? My calves are pretty proportional for me but I have tons of friends who are slender runners with big calves—this goes beyond the usual marginalization of plus-size clothing) who want to know where the boots are from.
As an aside, if your friend wants nice-looking leather boots, she shouldn’t plan to wear them through the elements during winter, that’s a good way to have boots that don’t last very long. Target has cute and cheap rainboots (and you can get fleece liners from many places for winter) that she should use in weather.
Thanks, everyone, for the wider-calf boot suggestions! The Nation never disappoints.
Anti-grandma Grandma shoes: I got a pair of booties (even though they call them “loafers” from Clarks a month ago~they work with pants and skirts, and they are black leather, so they look dressy and can be dressed down easily. If you search for Clarks “Wyld Limbo” you’ll find them. They’re super comfy~I have wide, kind of chubby feet, but they fit me like a dream~and they have a side zipper to help them on and off. They were only 60 bucks where I got them (Dillards) and they’ve been my stellar shoe find of the year!
Bigfoot: I second the Fluevogs rec. I am devoted to them, wear a size 10 – 11, and have always had to have my Fluevog boots altered since the calves are so small. I’ve had zippers & elastic put in pull-on mid-calf to knee high boots, so if you’re looking for LESS room, give ’em a try. Besides, they’re always smashing & get tons of compliments.
Grandma Shoes: Have you looked at the Cole Haan AIR line? From kitten to “real” heels, fairly deep heep cup, and due to their partnership with Nike, actually confortable. They can get spendy ($100-$300), but have frequent sales.
For the person with wide calves and too-skinny boots– I too am blessed with freakishly wide stumps. I bought a pair of Fluevog boots online, because I LOVE them and nothing was going to stop me from having them… but wearing them, not so much because of the calf-stumps. So I took them to an old-school shoe repair place, and they picked apart the inner seam of the boot and sewed a triangular insert in there– the insert is about 2″ at the top of the boot, and is about 5″ long, tapering to a point. It does alter how the boots sit on my leg– in the sense that the top margin of the boot sits slanted on my leg, and not straight– but I do not care, because I now have Bond Girl Boots that fit my leg.
And just as some have suggested above, I’d bet a good shoe repair place can alter boots that are too wide at the calves.
I’m of the shorties-with-muscular-calves ilk, and the boots that perpetually break my heart are Camper. So, perhaps the longer-legged and smaller-calved among us would have success there.
Personally, I’ve had a lot of luck with Frye. Counter to most theories of boot height, calf-width, and good fashion, I’ve been quite happy with my Frye Billy Pull-On, which has a little V in the back right around where my calf muscle really starts to bulge. I don’t typically do the boots+skinnies thing, but with skirts or leggings, they’re killer. And to second an earlier recommendation, my previous favorite solution was Naturalizer; my boots had a very subtle elastic V at the top, which made them comfortable without screaming YOUR LEGS ARE TREES.
“Grandma” here… my, but do I have some shopping to do! On first glance, these made my inner 7-year-old go wild. They may not be too professional, but who cares, they’re rainbow colored!! (…ahem. Back to 40+ mode.)
Seriously, thank you all for the recs and recs to come. It’s nice to know I am not alone. Truly, the Nation never disappoints.
Oh, I have Van de Graff hair too! I’ve had good luck with the John Frieda “Spotlight” leave-in. A small dot of that on damp hair works wonders, otherwise I look like a 7-year-old that just ran in all breathless from recess. Spotlight is very hard to find in stores, but Amazon carries it. The small bottle does go a long way, even on my longer hair.
@Grandma – I don’t have any specific suggestions, as I don’t have foot or back problems, but if you decide to go with Danskos take a look at their outlet: http://www.danskooutlet.com/ The problems with their outlet shoes are typically very minor but the price cut is significant. Danskos are very comfortable and high-quality so they’re worth the money, even at full price, but I like to save a little if I can.
Grandma Shoes: Check out Merrells. They have some casual styles (not sport/hiking) that are really cute, but you can judge if they are right for your workplace. No heel height to speak of, but extremely comfortable. I have had two pairs, one of which I just gave to my sister (too big for me); they have very deep heel cups that both of us have to pad or they give us blisters. Adding your wedge should be no problem, but the insoles are removable if necessary. They run $80-100, depending on style.
(The pair I kept is also a bit big, but my dog decided the leather on the back of the shoe tasted good. I recommend keeping them out of reach if you have a dog. Not pleased to find on a practically new $95 pair of shoes!)
Oh, Van De Graff, we have the same hair! I’ve been using Aubrey Organics hair products and love them. In particular, the Calaguala Fern Leave-In Conditioner:
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/ProductInfo/135.aspx
You need only a little bit, and this plus their regular hold hairspray is the stuff for conditioning and styling. And it’s super-cheap compared to salon brands.
I’ve got the same hair here, and I also received the recommendation to quit using conditioner. It worked on me, though–I buy better quality shampoo (which means I upgraded from, like, drugstore brand to Tresemme) and use conditioner maybe once a week. Some days I use Sunsilk volumizer, but in my experience, less product is better than more.
For those with boot issues, on Zappos they list the calf circumference on all their boots.
@JenB – those wrap boots are fantastic. Just the sort of thing I was looking for too. I ordered a pair straight away. :)
@Kimretta: Not to sign off on your heartbreak, but Campers are fab. (I’m a 9 1/2 with average calves.) I spent what I thought was too much on a pair, and they immediately paid for themselves comfort-wise (break-in time = almost zero). That was five years ago. The styling can be a bit twee in the shoes, but the boots are more standard and they hold up really well.
Fryes are also a good choice as in investment, but those of narrow foot should prepare to spend months breaking them in. The Campus style in particular seemed determined to give me a blister in a new spot every time.
I’m Erin’s friend with the large calf problem – thank you guys SO MUCH for the suggestions. I’ve done some poking around online and I think I’ve found a fabulous pair that I’m going to order. I also LOVE the Toms boots – those are adorable.
You guys are the best and I’ve found a new blog to read. :)
I have a question about the wrap boots in the Doth-My-Eyes-Decieve-Me/Too-Good-To-Be-True vein: They appear to flat-soled? Are they really, seriously flat-soled, or is there a heel or super thick platform thingy hidden inside or something?
I’m a trip over her own feet sort of girl, so heels and added height are a no go (and very difficult to find in boot form).
@Bigfoot – I’m 5’10” and have thin calves, and I scored an awesome pair of black Fluevog boots from the clearance section of their site two years ago – fit my slender calves perfectly.
When shopping for winter boots last year, I was delighted to see that Endless.com actually tells you the shaft circumference (tee hee) in the shoe’s description. I invested in a pair of Blondo boots that fit like a dream around my calves (plus they come in wide foot-sizes, which is necessary for my fat feet. But I’m convinced the fat-feet genes are attached to the awesome-calf genes). I had never heard of Blondo until I started looking for narrow-calved winter boots, but they were a great investment – comfortable & stylish. These are the ones I bought: http://tiny.cc/EndlessBlondo