Shopping Challenge -- Thick Ankles and Calves

[magenta321]

Lynn's only real complaint is her calves.

And who doesn't feel a little self-concious about her calves? It's one of those areas that either looks lanky or looks chunky. It's hard to find middle ground!

This is actually my favorite one, because SOOOOOO many women make this mistake:

Pants

Cropped Pants



Leggings



Tapered Leg



Good:

Flares



Boot Cut



Why:

Cropped pants -- oy. I don't think they look good on anyone, personally. The What Not to Wear folks agree with me, at least, for people with heavy calves and ankles. If that's your problem area, why expose it to the world?

Leggings and Tapered jeans -- they hug the calves, and do nothing to camoflage their size.

Flares and boot cut pants hide the calves, without having fabric bunch up on them.

[magenta321]

Skirts

Bad

Calf-Length Skirts



Good

A-Line to Knee

[magenta321]

Shoes:


Bad

Ankle Straps



Ankle of Calf Length Boots



Good

Wedges



Heels



High Boots -- Tight in Ankle

[lynnzop[$]]

Hm...well, I agree with you on most of those choices, except I do like the long skirts. Guess I should ditch them. And I really don't like flares, but I will try them to see if they look better (I tend to the tapered leg, another no-no!).

And I tried some high boots one time - they were super cute and looked comfy. But I couldn't get them zipped!!! And if the short boots (I have some that are just above the ankle) are under pants, why are they a no-no?

Thanks Margaret, now I just need some shopping money!

[magenta321]

Short boots, under pants, are fine.

All of the long boots are different. Some are designed to actually fit women, so aren't. Keep tryin' on 'til you find the perfect pair!

[murasaki]

Lynn, a really long skirt should be okay--as long as it hangs past your calves. If the hem hits the fattest parts of your calves, it makes them look bigger.

--naomi

[quasar]

My pediatrician used to say I had grapefruit calves because they were about the size of half of a large grapefruit. Alas, they haven't shrunk. This is a problem I can relate to quite well. I can't wear anything tight in the legs because they won't fit over my calves. I have to wear anklets because even king size socks won't go any higher on my legs.

My advice? Don't worry about it. Just make sure whatever you wear is comfortable and doesn't cut off the circulation.

Janice