JJ Footwear Wide Calf Boots Review
Knee high boots are a must-have item for every woman’s wardrobe. That includes plus size women. Unfortunately it can often be difficult to find quality boots that fit the calves. JJ Footwear, “Dutch women’s fashion boot company”, can appreciate our plight and have recently opened up a website to serve customers in the United States and Canada. They asked me to review a pair of their boots for Five Favorite Things.
JJ Footwear makes “high-end, classic-styled women’s boots” that are available in multiple calf sizes. They are “an 80-year old family-owned company based just east of The Hague in The Netherlands” and have been “making quality shoes and boots for over 80 years.” They fit feet 5.5 to 13.5 US (not all boots are in all foot or calf sizes). At this posting the cost for one of the twelve custom boot designs is $295 and there is no extra cost for shipping or returns.
I had such a hard choice choosing from the twelve styles offered as I liked most of them. I finally settled on two pair — the Elin and the Jordaan. To break the tie I did a Twitter vote and the final winner was the Elin in black (seen at right).
Ordering
To order the size I needed I went with a pair a boots I already owned. There was some confusion on my part as the size tag gave US and EUR sizing that didn’t match the website. I emailed customer service for guidance and heard back within a few days along with an apology for the late replay and an explanation on sizing which cleared things up. Once I had my shoe size I needed to measure both my calves. I entered both these numbers and received a final size that the company uses to fit the boots.
The ordering process was simple enough but the sizing had a combo choice which included the one recommended to me and what appeared to be a smaller choice which I found confusing. I continued on but put a note about the sizing with my payment info. As a new customer I had the option of registering or making a purchase as a guest. I chose the guest feature which was pretty quick. I was transferred to Paypal and the deal was done within a few minutes.
The boot order was completed on January 25 at 10:30 pm and the boots arrived on January 29 at 2:13 pm. All the way from Holland! I confirmed shipping details with the marketing people to see if it would be the same for everyone and was told: “3 to 5 days from shipment from our warehouse in Holland – Fed-X came up with some sort of arrangement and it’s been working great. We originally thought it would take from 10-14 working days, but good old Fed-X came through!” They certainly did.
The boots were double boxed. The outside one was damaged but the inside box protected the boots. The boots were stuffed with tissue and cardboard cut outs to help keep their shape in transit.
The Boots
The Elin boot is made from “buffed calf leather” and has a “rounded, pointed toe”. They are lined with felt fabric. Down the back of the calf is a deep elastic. They have a full zipper on the inner calf and there are two adjustable buckles; one on the ankle and one on the calf. The thick sole has some moderate tread embossing.
They are pretty form fitting. Thankfully the elastic back is forgiving on the one leg. Before ordering I was actually concerned that the ankles would be slouchy because I have small ankles in comparison to my calves but they are a good fit. I was a bit impatient to try them on so they were probably quite firm from being cold (it’s -15 C today) but so far I’m impressed.
They have a comfortable but fashionable heel (1 1/4″) that is easy to walk in. This is definitely an everyday boot. There is a thin felt lining that is remarkably warm. At -15 C my feet legs were not the slightest bit cold and on the opposite end they didn’t feel the slightest bit overheated either.
After the first day my left ankle, which has a previous injury, was a bit sore but overall no foot discomfort. They fit my feet perfectly and were comfortable to walk in.
I like the unique design with the buckles and elastic back (see picture insert in left corner). If I could go back and order them again I would probably order them with an extra inch around the calf to accommodate a skinny jean. As it stands they are strictly bare leg or tights. I don’t want to cover them up with pants because they are too pretty.
Overall, I’m quite happy with the Elin boots from JJ Footwear in terms of fit, wear, and fashion. If you have any questions about these boots please feel free to ask and I’ll respond in the comments.
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Topic Links
* Get your own wide calf boots from JJ Footwear
Houndstooth and Tights
A couple weeks ago I was reading Viva magazine (a women’s health magazine) and they had a fashion spread. One particular outfit caught my eye. Of course it was worn by a slender young woman but when I saw it I instantly thought it would also look awesome on a plus body. So for weeks I’ve been looking for the plus size alternative. I think I’ve found it. Or at least as close to it as possible at this time (sorry I don’t have the original photo to share).
The hardest part of trying to piece this outfit together was finding a houndstooth dress. And then I found two! The one on the left is from Etsy and can be “made to measure” by the PyxusPassionProject for $120 (very reasonable). The sleeveless one on the right can be purchased in sizes 16 and 20 from Target for $20.98.
These plus size red opaque tights are from We Love Colors and fit plus size women up to 375 pounds. They are $15.
These Ros Hommerson Melia booties are from Zappos and were the first part of the outfit that came together. They come in regular and wide widths in black kid leather for $117.95.
The Grey and Black Fur Capelet is from Torrid and is an affordable $24!
And finally the Wide Silver Bracelet is from Torrid for $10.
Incidentally the items in the magazine spread cost over $4000. Mine are under $300, even less if you go for the second dress choice.
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Topic Links
* Get your own houndstooth dress from Etsy
* Get your own houndstooth dress from Target
* Get your own plus size red opaque tights from We Love Colors
* Get your own Ros Hommerson – Melia booties from Zappos
* Get your own fur capelet and bracelet from Torrid
Wide Calf Black Boots
The Ros Hommerson Women’s Step Wide Calf Boot from Shoes.com is one of my favorite boots. It’s simple lines and low heel (1 3/4″)make it comfortable enough if you have to walk between stops and the leather allows it to be dressed with casual and career wear. One of the best things about them are their calf size — 18″. 
Getting a Good Pair of Boots:
- Measure your calves (both) with a tape measure. Chances are one will be slightly larger than the other. Go with the larger number.
- When you are shopping for boots online it is important to read the calf circumference in the product information.
- If there is none listed in the product information then don’t order. IF you really want the boots email the retailer and ask for specifics. A good retailer will have no problem giving you the information and will respond within a few days. If they don’t they are probably not a company you want to deal with.
- Read any reviews for clues on comfort and fit and whether customer read the product information.
- Expect to spend a little more on your boots for a good fit and comfort. That being said, extreme prices don’t necessarily mean both.
A little something to get you in the boot shopping spirit:
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Topic Links
* Get your own Ros Hommerson Women’s Step Wide Calf Boots from Shoes.com
Thigh High Boots
Thigh high boots seem to be the order for this season. High (up the leg, not the heel) and suede. Unfortunately finding a thigh high boot for plus size women need, is incredibly difficult.
I found three pairs I really liked at Shoes.com with a 15 ½” circumference: The Sam Edelman’s come in black, brown, and stone suede for $199. The Matisse come in black for $229. The Corso Comos come black and sand grey suede for $287. Shoes.com offers free shipping in the U.S. (they ship internationally).
For a thicker circumference, I found two pair at Zappos — Dolce Vita Crosby ($314.50) and See by Chloe ($719) — those that can do.
To take full advantage of the suede thigh boots go monochrome — black tights, short dress or long sweater etc. Or grey, brown, depending on color suede chosen.
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Topic Links
* Get your own thigh high boots from Shoes.com
* Get your own thigh high boots from Zappos.com
Classic Red Pointed Pump
Gabriella Rocha has updated the traditional pointed shoe that Hollywood starlets made famous with her new Mylie Pump. 
It comes with a severe point and 4″ heel with many colors to choose from besides the hot red you see here — black, brown, burgundy, camel, gold, grey, leopard, navy, orange, pink, purple, silver, teal, and white. There are at least five finishes to choose from: snake, leather, suede, patent leather and croco. Not all finishes come in all colors.
The Gabriella Rocha Mylie Pump is available in standard and wide widths from sizes 5 to 12. It is an affordable $65 and as you will see from the reviews at Zappos, comes highly recommended.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Classic Red Pointed Pumps from Zappos
Wide Calf Boots
Now that it is getting colder I can seriously start thinking about knee high boots. While many are saying that it is a must to have at least one pair of above the knee boots I’m not completely sold on them. A/ most of them look weird and B/ they are generally made for thin calves, knees and thighs.
There used to be a time that even knee high boots were a problem for plus size women but more and more shoe stores (online at least) are offering wide calf boots. There’s an online store called Wide Widths, no mistaking what they offer there, that gives the calf circumference for each boot and size so it isn’t hit miss like some places. I found two pairs of knee high wide calf boots there that I quite like.
The Kiersten Plus – Wide Calf Boot by Naturalizer for $130
The Stacie – EXTRA to SUPER WIDE CALF Micro Stretch Boot by Wide Widths for $120
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Topic Links
* Get your own ladies wide calf boots from Zappos
Shopping the Breast Cancer Site
Lindsay at Lindsay Curvy reminded me of the Breast Cancer Site (BCS), a great collaborative charity site that allows shoppers to support a few causes while they shop — child health, rainforests, literacy, animal rescue, hunger and breast health.
Since it is breast awareness month I’ll stick to the one store. Depending on the item, a purchase from The Breast Cancer Site will fund between 1.0 and 3.0 % of a mammogram. This web site has the expected tees and keychains but they also have many unexpected pieces. Here are a few of my favorite:
“Jewels of India” Floral Leather Sandals for $11.95
“Hope, Faith, Love” Triple Wish Hoop Necklace for $14.95 (currently buy one get one free!)
Pink Ribbons & Hearts Apron for $10.00
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Topic Links
* Get your own Jewels of India sandals from BCS
* Get your own Faith, Hope, Love necklace from BCS
* Get your own Ribbons & Hearts Apron from BCS
* For more information on breast cancer awareness check out the Susan G. Komen website
Affordable Booties
When it comes to “booties” it is hit or miss for me, often times miss because some of them are just so out there for an every day gal. And lets face it — expensive. I was over at the Payless website today and found they actually have a cute selection of booties (I so wish someone would have thought of another term — if you do a search for booties you get baby booties and women’s fashion booties) that are more affordable; of course, it’s Payless.
They don’t have oodles which may speak as to whether this will be a continuing trend or a fad that will die quietly. All the ones I found were under $38. Have a look-see:
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Topic Links
* Visit Payless for affordable booties
How Wicked are You
You have got to love a shoe called “Wicked”. These hidden platform shoes immediately caught my eye with their unique shape and 4 3/4″ heels. They were designed by Type Z and are available at Zappos for $69 in sizes 5 to 10. You can drag them out at Halloween, Christmas (oh, Mrs Claus!), and Valentine’s.
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Topic Links
* Get your own wicked shoes from Zappos
Alfani Sandals from Macys
Macy’s has these great Alfani “Ellis” Sandal
on sale for $75 (check out their “buy 1 get 2nd 50% off sale). I love the color, 3″ cone heal (which looks like less) and the multi-sized studs. They are available in sizes 5 to 11 and also come in black or brown.
If you are in the denim mode between now and August 30th and buy $75 worth of denim you get free shipping (coupon code: DENIM).
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Topic Links
* Get your own Alfani sandals from Macys
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