If you have small calves and slim legs, you probably weren’t born to wear cowboy boots. Most of the traditional cowboy boots designs have a fairly wide shaft that extends straight up, instead of having a tight calf like others.
This is because cowboy boots were originally designed for riding. Wide boots will make your feet comfortable when sitting in the saddle. So even if your feet fit your boots just fine, the wide calves can still let you swim inside them.
The constant change in dress thinking today has promoted diverse and innovative designs more than a few centuries ago.
As a result, modern cowboy boots have also been improved with a shaft that hugs the legs more closely but retains the iconic V-cut, impressive pointed toe and premium leather heel.
This is really good news for cowboy boots believers who have small calves and don’t want the15ir feet to be submerged in boots, right?
But if modern cowboy boots are not enough to make you feel like a real cowgirl, we still have great tips for choosing cowboy boots for skinny legs.
Keep scrolling to see what you can do to keep your feet from not looking like sticks in a pair of cowboy boots.
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How to choose Cowboy Boots for Skinny Legs?
A pair of skinny legs can be very attractive and admirable to wear with anything. No matter what kind of outfit you are wearing, your curves and beautiful legs are shown off desirably.
But this can also be troublesome as well when it comes to choosing a suitable pair of cowboy boots for slim calves.
The extra-wide shaft of these boots will probably cause uncomfortable and entangled feelings while moving (maybe).
If you feel like you can make sacrifices for fashion, we’re happy for you. If not, we have a few helpful tips below for you to consider before you buy:
1. Ankle cowboy boots
Ankle cowboy boots are always the best choice for skinny calves, and even for fat calves. These boots are only about 5 inches tall and fit around the ankle comfortably.
Because the height of the shaft will not reach the calf, you may not feel as entangled as your feet swimming in a wide pair of boots.
In addition, ankle cowboy boots are quite versatile and extremely suitable for office wear because of the minimalism, neatness, and sophistication they bring when worn with business attire.
But ankle cowboy boots also have their downfall. Some people will feel that these boots don’t seem “powerful” enough to represent the true identity of cowboy boots culture.
This is often shown in the high shaft with deep V-cut lines and intricate and sophisticated embroideries as often found in traditional cowboy boots.
If you have tried but never found a pair of high-neck cowboy boots that fit your feet, then ankle cowboy boots are the best choice for those who have thin calves.
2. Narrow boot opening
This is of course. A pair of cowboy boots with a smaller boot opening circumference will fit better on skinny legs. But how small is enough? Normally, the width of a person’s calves under 16 inches is considered small.
Most Americans have large bones and if your calves are not too muscular, you can still find a pair of cowboy boots on the market that will fit your small feet.
If your calves are way too small, there are still cowboy boots with a boot opening circumference of just around 13 inches and this is almost the smallest size in this type of boot’s size chart.
If you have small calves but have long feet, this is something to watch out for.
Most cowboy boots have rather long soles due to requiring a pointed toe design, which also gives a little extra space for your long feet.
But if your feet are unusually long, think about hiring a professional shoemaker to make your own pair of cowboy boots.
3. Shallow V-cut detail & High collar shaft
V-cut detail is a highlight feature of cowboy boots.
If a deep V-cut can be a factor that helps widen the boot opening for people with large calves when wearing cowboy boots, conversely, a shallow V-cut can reduce the expansion of the boot opening circumference.
Thanks to that, it will help fit better people with small calves. Although it may not make a big difference, if you wear barefoot cowboy boots, this slight change will give better comfort and fit the wearers.
Besides, knee-high boots will tend to be more suitable for skinny legs than mid-calf boots.
A regular mid-calf cowboy boot will really make you look like your feet are swimming in the boots because the smallest part of the foot from the ankle up will be suspended at the boot opening. Even a regular boot is difficult to hug the ankle bone perfectly.
Therefore, if you have small calves and ankles, knee-height cowboy boots will be a more reasonable choice. They usually embrace the calves better even when the boot opening circumference is literally wide.
4. Suede is the priority
The material of the boot is one of the main factors that affect the elasticity, causing natural expansion or tightness. While leather materials (either full-grain leather or faux leather) can stretch well over time, suede is often the least stretchy even if they are also referred to as “leather”.
Due to this property, suede will be a good choice for people with small calves.
Suede will snug slim calves better right out of the box due to the fact that most of these materials don’t need time to break in completely to give you perfect comfort. It is even softest when first used and will gradually harden with the environment, air, cleaning, and storage.
When wearing this material, people with small calves shouldn’t be worried that the boots will stretch wider after many uses. In fact, it tends to shrink more and more over time.
5. Physical fit or customization
A lot of people complain to us that the cowboy boots they’ve bought online are too tight or too loose. If you have exceptional legs or foot size, we recommend trying the footwear in-store rather than ordering it online.
You can have small legs but long feet, you can also have small calves but short and plump feet. There are even people whose calves fit very well with cowboy boots opening circumference as they desired, but the foot is too wide or tight for the size of the sole below.
Trying on boots in person before buying will save you a lot of money and maximize the satisfaction of spending that money to buy enjoyment.
If you’ve tried really hard but still can’t find an available pair of cowboy boots that fit as you wish, then customization is a good option. Only the cost will be more abundant, but in return, you will be served until you feel as satisfied as possible.
A pair of customized cowboy boots also allows you to choose the material, decoration, and color to your liking.
How should I wear Cowboy Boots for Skinny Legs?
Isn’t that when you find a pair of cowboy boots that fit your slim calves as you want, all that’s left is to put them on your feet?! But it’s not that simple!
Believe me, you will have a million things going on while matching boots with clothes or simply your most frequent experience wearing cowboy boots.
Here are some of the most common problems and ways for skinny legs when it comes to wearing cowboy boots.
1. Leave the boots outside skinny jeans
Wearing cowboy boots with skinny jeans is a fairly common way of dressing for girls with slim and petite legs. Skinny jeans will reveal the delicate curves of the legs while still being very polite and seductive at the same time.
Tucking jeans into cowboy boots helps to narrow the space inside cowboy boots neatly and naturally. Thanks to that, you won’t need to worry if your cowboy boots are too wide for your slim calves.
2. Leather straps
Leather straps are recommended as a fashion accessory while also helping to tighten the cowboy boots around the ankles. Leather straps have no fixed shape or size.
It can be long, short, big or small, thick or thin, depending on the preferences of the wearer. This is a very traditional method of tightening cowboy boots for slim legs.
You just need to tie the number of loops around the boots until you feel comfortable and fit your feet best.
However, there is a downside that using leather straps for a long time will change the texture of the leather surface of your cowboy boots. They will become wrinkled or cracked due to being tied tightly.
The shape of the boots will also be changed and lose their original shape, even irretrievably. So, consider carefully before using this remedy when it comes to tightening cowboy boots for slim legs.
3. Double thick socks
A safer and less hassle-free way to wear loose cowboy boots is to wear double the thick socks underneath.
Choose socks with a proper length and thick but breathable texture to help prevent your feet from perspiring from overheating on the inside.
Also, to avoid foot odor, dry your feet thoroughly before wearing 2 layers of socks as instructed.
Doubling the thick socks can reduce the space inside cowboy boots significantly so that little legs do not feel like they are swimming in the boots.
However, this method may only be suitable for autumn, winter, or snowy days. If applying in the summer, you better choose a pair of ankle boots, trust me!
4. Wear barefoot with dresses
If you have a pair of well-fitting cowboy boots and slim, pearly legs, why not choose to wear barefoot with cowboy boots and a skirt (or a dress). This is a very popular style for the summer and springtime.
You can wear the boots with dozens of different dress types to create a certain style of fashion, even if it’s for use as business attire.
The Best Cowboy Boots for Skinny Legs
Looking for the best cowboy boots for skinny legs, we have gathered these top-rated options for you below:
1. The Abby from Tecovas
Tecovas is renowned for its attention to fit and form. The brand often designs boots with a sleek profile.
For individuals with skinny legs, this means a closer fit that contours elegantly to the shape of the leg, avoiding the common issue of gaping that can occur with wider boots.
Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned
Tecovas prides itself on using high-quality leather and meticulous craftsmanship. This translates to a boot that not only looks premium but feels it too.
The leather typically molds to the wearer’s feet and legs over time, offering a personalized fit that can be particularly beneficial for those with slender legs.
Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned
The Abby features a design that balances classic cowboy boot aesthetics with modern sensibilities, making it versatile for various occasions.
Whether dressed up for an evening event or paired with casual wear, these boots can complement a wide range of outfits, which is a significant advantage for fashion-forward individuals.
The Abby from Tecovas are known for their sleek design and tall shafts, which can be particularly flattering for skinny legs.
They often provide a slimming effect while the height of the boot elongates the leg, creating a balanced and elegant silhouette.
Image copyright Tecovas Boot Company | #CommissionEarned
The quality of leather and craftsmanship in Tecovas boots typically ensures a snug, comfortable fit that conforms to the shape of the leg without being overly tight or loose.
2. Chisos No.4
The Chisos No. 4 boots stand out with their tall and sleek silhouette, which naturally complements skinny legs.
The feminine heel adds just enough height to elongate the legs without compromising comfort.
This design aspect is crucial for those with skinny legs, as it helps create a more balanced and proportional look.
Image copyright Chisos Boot Company | #CommissionEarned
The boots feature exquisite embroidery of the sun, moon, and stars over the Chisos Mountains, adding a touch of artistic flair.
This detailing is striking yet subtle enough not to overwhelm the slim profile of the boot, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a boot that is both stylish and not too flashy.
Image copyright Chisos Boot Company | #CommissionEarned
The use of Chisos heritage leather in these boots speaks volumes about their durability and comfort.
Unlike juvenile leathers, this mature leather offers superior resilience while remaining soft and conforming to the shape of the leg.
For skinny legs, this means a comfortable fit that doesn’t gap or look oversized.
Image copyright Chisos Boot Company | #CommissionEarned
According to their fit guide, Chisos boots are true to size, a crucial factor for those with skinny legs who often struggle with finding boots that fit well.
Wrapping it up
It can be said that cowboy boots are the most colorful chameleon that I have ever known in this fashion footwear world. They can change dramatically as long as you just want them to.
You can create a serious, well-dressed look, but within a minute of changing your outfit, you are fresh and free in the same pair of cowboy boots.
That’s why I’ve been a loyal fan of cowboy boots for many years. I have slim calves and I am Asian. It is difficult to choose a pair of cowboy boots that fit as I desired.
But when I did own them, this is the only footwear that has never made me regret buying at such a high price.
Now you can start a new pathway to cowboy culture by checking out these best cowboy boots for slim calves above.
In case you get narrow feet/calves, here’s our gift for you!
Howdy y’all, and welcome to From The Guest Room, your ultimate guide to all things Western! I’m Jay Gatz, a lifelong cowboy boot enthusiast with over 5 years of experience in the Western style world. I’m excited to share my knowledge with you and help you discover the perfect cowboy boots and western gear to elevate your style. Let’s explore the rich history and timeless appeal of Western fashion together!