Bandolino Agatha boots
I don’t know why I covet tall boots so much. I have…let me check my closet, here…yes, it would appear I have exactly zero outfits that can show off a pair of boots. I do not own a pair of skinny jeans, for I am not a goddamned fool; I don’t have any perfect-length skirts meant for chilly autumn weather; all I have are long pants that cover my legs in their entirety.
Why bother with tall boots when everything but the toe will be obscured? Maybe it’s like wearing sexy underwear, the fact that you know it’s there puts a little spring in your step.
In my quest for the Perfect Tall Boot, I discovered that boots and sexy underwear have one annoying trait in common: the vast majority of them are uncomfortable as hell. Just like I don’t enjoy wearing colon floss, I don’t like wearing a pair of boots that cuts off all the circulation to my lower legs and creates both Calf Overflow and gangrene.
I don’t know if the evil forces that manufacture tall boots are all designing for Mischa Barton or what, but no one I know has calves the size of spaghetti noodles. I am the first to admit I don’t exactly have a waist that looks good in low-rise jeans, but if a boot gives me Leg Muffin Top, that is not my fault. My calves, like the rest of the non-human-pixie-stick population, have actual tissue and muscle and stuff, because I am not a walking cadaver like the Nine West boots I could only yank mid-leg were apparently created for.
Boot designers, you people SUCK.
So anyway. I needed a boot that had some give to the calf area. I didn’t want much of a heel because while some people can walk in heels without bringing to mind the words “mincing” or “ass-faced drunk”, I am not one of those people. I also didn’t want any of the wedge styles that I actually think are pretty cute, but make me look like I’m trying to get into an anime convention. Also, I didn’t want to drop multiple hundreds of dollars.
I ended up with a pair of Bandolino equestrian style “Agatha” boots, which I tried on at a Macy’s, then ordered online from Zappos (not that my lack of patronage is going to plunge Macy’s into the red or anything, but I will point out that had I received any customer service after having the box of boots tossed in my direction, I would have bought them on the spot. Stupid Macy’s and their retail-acquiring monolithic snobby-ass store).
These boots are definitely snug around the calf. The measurements include a 13-inch circumference, which, besides sounding spectacularly dirty, refers to the widest part of the boot (the shaft, to be precise. Heh). I measured my own calf and the widest circumference is 15 inches – you’d think the boot would be too tight, but it’s not. There is a V-shaped section at the top, near the zipper, that has elastic under the leather, so I guess that’s where you get the stretch.
I took a photo in the mirror to show you how the boots look on a real person, and I’ll thank you not to snicker at my cheesy denim skirt and weird fleshtoned net stocking things (I have since purchased some actual tights, because what the hell, fishnets?).
They’re very comfortable, although I’m still breaking them in. I like that they offer some ankle support (although take note that the ankle area has some give to it, rather than providing a form-fitting slim line), for I am a graceful ballerina who often trips over her own feet.
Overall, a good purchase. I don’t think they’re the One Boot to Rule Them All, but they’re fairly damn good, especially for having a pricetag that won’t make you swallow your own tongue. I’ve only worn them under jeans so far (except for my fancy photo session) but they’re spiffy enough to make me want to fix my non-boot-showing-off wardrobe problem. Suggestions for pieces that work with this boot length (about 2-3 inches below the knee, on me anyway) are welcomed!
Link: Bandolino Agatha boots on Zappos, or Amazon
Ballpark price: $140
Posted: October 24th, 2006 under Fashion, Personally recommended by Linda.
Comments: 17
Comments
Comment from chelle
Time: October 24, 2006, 4:04 pm
I am not sure how I found this blog, but I have been lurking around for a month or so, enjoying your entries.
This one brought me out of the shadows. I too love the tall boot (and rarely have clothes to wear with them!) So i had to share a secret! Take the boot to a show repair (or a mall shoe store possibly) and ask them to stretch the calf area. They will have you try them on then stretch them on a boot stretcher for a few days. Works like a charm! I always wanted boots however I have calf muscles so they never fit!
Comment from robin
Time: October 25, 2006, 4:56 am
I have big calves too (apparently) I love the tall boots with skirts, which you can find anywhere. I love that whole sweater/skirt/boot look. I’ve had the same boots (same low heel-I can’t do anything very high or I feel and look like a little girl playing dress up) for 3 years now. I think I got them at Kohls. The tops are stretchy instead of having a zipper. I don’t think the length really matters, I just wouldn’t go super long, because again, whats the point of the boot?
Comment from Jenny
Time: October 25, 2006, 7:36 am
Do y’all have a Harold’s? (www.harolds.com) They have a lot of “Ladies Who Lunch” kind of stuff, like those horrible loudly-patterned capris that I’m convinced would make even Mischa Barton look like Tank-Ass Tammy, but I buy lots of skirts there. They’re a good knee-ish length and, more importantly, they put stuff on sale all the time. Right now their tweedy wintery things are still expensive, but they’re starting to put a bunch of fall-ish colored skirts on sale. I am in LURVE with the tall boots (black pair and a brown pair and once it turns cold I wear them to death) and like to wear them with a fun skirt and a sweater set and voila! Kicky business casual!
Comment from Megan
Time: October 25, 2006, 7:57 am
Love the new boots! If you are looking for ideas of what to wear with them, the Banana’s Shop by Outfit section is filled with great tall boot-outfits.
Even if you don’t want to buy directly from them, it has lots of cute outfit ideas.
Comment from Christina
Time: October 25, 2006, 1:49 pm
Did you ever check this website in your boot-hunt?
Especially the western/ropers (they generally have rounded toes, not the pointy ones you’d usually associate with western style boots) and the equestrian sections?
Comment from Mrs. Breedorf
Time: October 26, 2006, 12:51 pm
I have a tall boot problem. Every year or so I scour the world looking for the perfect boot. I’ll find a pair that is *almost* right, agonize over them, say screw it and buy them, then the next year start the search again because they just weren’t 100% perfect. My biggest problem with fit seems to be that if the calf fits, the ankle is saggy. I’ve taken to wearing socks over my tights (and I should confess here that I have been known to wear fishnets — I think it’s okay if it’s just a small bit peeking out between top of boot and bottom of skirt) and folding the sock down once to create some bulk around the ankle. My feet get hot though. Someone needs to invent some sort of ankle bulker upper thing.
Comment from Jem
Time: October 27, 2006, 12:34 am
Ha. They’re great! At least you wear them despite your clothes dilemna, I have at least 3 pairs of boots I have NEVER WORN. I’m not exaggerating, at least 3. 1 cowboy, 1 UGG and 1 random stretchy suede stuff. Gah. What a waste.
Comment from Shawna
Time: October 30, 2006, 8:49 am
Last winter I saw women in capri-length and even knee-length pants with tall boots. It makes so much sense since we have so much snow and slush up here in Ottawa, Canada that I’m surprised I haven’t seen this before. Anyway, just saying you don’t need to use a skirt to wear the boots in the winter.
Comment from vieux bandit
Time: November 30, 2006, 7:39 am
(Beth from So The Fish Said sent me here 
Ah, what a relief to read this! I’ve given up on high boots for years because, well, who needs to spend an entire afternoon with salespeople going tssk tssk at her (healthy thankyouverymuch) calves? You’ve given me hope again!
Comment from Niki
Time: December 11, 2006, 10:01 am
Ooh, thanks. I’ve been searching for tall black boots sans pointy tall heels. I stumbled into a pair of Rockports, but the shaft isn’t that long (but it is amazingly wide; it’s probably 13 or 14″long), so I only bought the brown. I’ll have to get over to my local Macy’s and check these out. Quickly, as regards the clear fishnets: May I recommend them in a slightly bigger weave (or whatever you might call it — something you could stick at least your pinkie into)? Not for winter, obviously, but they’ve worked really well for me when I want to avoid pantyhose.
Comment from becca
Time: February 19, 2007, 8:15 am
Just to let anyone interested know, as of today LaneBryant.com has these boots for $69
Comment from jen
Time: February 23, 2007, 4:27 pm
thanks becca! i was actually just checking them out at piperlime where they are the same price. i wanna try them on real bad. i need boots! i wonder if they still have them at macys? im going tomorrow so ill check it out! hehe
Comment from Bad_boy
Time: June 3, 2007, 6:15 pm
Your boots don’t look good on you cus ur not hot my dear. Sorry. Sexy women love wearing colon floss and sexy high heel boots. That’s what we guys like. So take that. These boot makers don’t suck because they know sex appeal from a guys perspective. Otherwise, us rich guys will turn you down for a hotter chick.
Comment from msnfoywdxp
Time: July 3, 2007, 9:24 am
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Comment from girlsbootsaresoft
Time: July 9, 2007, 3:56 pm
Girls tall boots are comfortable and fell great on. I am liberated when wearing them! What brand hose goes best with them?
XY gender
Comment from Joan
Time: July 11, 2007, 11:36 am
My love of tall boots has gotten out of hand. At recent count, I had 5 pairs, worn mostly with skirts. This fall, the hunt begins anew: I will find my perfect boots. In the meantime, I have 5 lovely pairs to show off- 2 brown, 3 black. I need to expand to colours.
Comment from Susie
Time: October 2, 2007, 1:06 pm
I absolutely love tall boots. I have 3 tall & 2 mid-length boots.
I wear all of them but the Charles dave tall boots, that i bought for $400, 6 years ago. Sadly i had only wear them for less then 10 times, cause i can’t stand the high heels, but i love them cause it’s so sexy (perfectly hug my calves) & make me feel sexy too. Sometimes I feel that it’s such a waste, but when i put it on i fall in love with them again and again… This dress boot is the prettiest & the most uncomfortable one that i own.
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