Review: Blondo Louna & Blondo Pasadena

I apologize for not publishing posts recently. It's been a bit tough to do a lot of searching over the holidays. However, since many of you have written to me about your luck with Blondo's Pasadena boots, I thought I'd order them as well and see if they worked for me. I also was emailed by a helpful reader who recommended Blondo's Louna boots and I decided to try my luck with them as well. 

Blondo Louna ($200-$240)
These boots are great! A size 6 fit fine on my narrow feet but I can see how sizing up a half-size might be recommended. Although I measured the calf circumference at 13" or slightly less, I tried them on with tights and liked how they fit on my size 12" calves. The description on Zappos says "The Louna boot is designed to accommodate the needs of women with thinner calves" and I totally agree. The boots are lined with a soft fabric and the upper is a waterproof leather. The foot bed is on a platform so the 3" heel feels much smaller. I was surprised at how easy these were to walk in! The sole is rubber/non-skid-- good for winter wear. I found them at Zappos, Amazon, Shoes.com, and Shoebuy.

Blondo Louna

Blondo Louna

Blondo Pasadena ($170-$240)
Since many reviews said these run small, I ordered these in a 6 and 6.5. The 6 was a little snug so a half-size up is probably the best bet unless you have very narrow feet. Although I measured these at the same 13" as the Louna, I thought these looked slightly larger in the calf perhaps because these were a half-size larger. The quality of these were similar and the 6.5 was very comfortable to walk in. These also have a platform heel with a rubber sole. I tried on both, the black suede option and the black leather and both fit similarly. However, I couldn't pinpoint exactly why, but I think I favor the Louna slightly more. Blondo Pasadena is available at Amazon, Zappos, 6pm, Shoebuy, and Shoes.com. I recently returned the ones I got from Nordstrom so hopefully those will show up online soon because it looks like they're sold out otherwise. 

Blondo Pasadena (black suede)

Blondo Pasadena (black suede)

Blondo Pasadena (black leather)

Blondo Pasadena (black leather)

Review: More Coclico Boots

UPDATE: Coclico is having a friends and family sale of 20% off from Nov. 23-25 with the promo code "FRIENDS". 

I was in NYC a few weeks ago and had a chance to visit the Coclico store in Soho. In an earlier boot roundup, a blog reader submitted a few pictures and reviews of Coclico boots, which she noted were expensive but suitable for slim calves, so I wanted to check them out in person. I enjoyed trying on their boots and the owner and sales associates were very helpful. The brand is super expensive but I wanted to write a post about the brand anyway because I know many of us keep our eyes and ears open about sales and because some of you have written to me about wanting to invest in a pair of well-fitting boots.

1) Coclico 'Carson' ($530-$555)

These are probably the best fitting boots I've come across so far. The pictures below don't fully capture how well they fit. A size 36 fit well. The major feature that sets these boots apart is that the ankle fit snugly around my very slim ankles. Absolutely no ankle gaping here! The chunky heel was easy to walk in and it hit about 1" below my knee, which I'm fine with. I'd feel comfortable wearing them with bare legs, although I think they'd look better with tights or skinny jeans. They are available at Coclico, Amazon (in mostly tan and a few brown), and City Soles (in brown and black). I haven't heard of City Soles so I was surprised to see that they have a video review of these boots and a few others from Coclico.


I left the store empty-handed because I don't think my wallet can take that kind of hit but perhaps some of you out there will be luckier :) The store offers free shipping. They only carry one of each size of each pair of boots in their store but may be able to help locate a pair of boots elsewhere. Since the boots are handmade, they said that they may even be able to have a new pair made (although not with custom measurements). Here are some additional pictures.

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Coclico Carson

2) Coclico 'Windy' ($550)
I was excited to try on these boots after seeing positive reviews at Anthropologie. I think I tried these on in a 36.5, which fit fine. These were incredibly comfortable and I didn't even notice the heel when I first put them on. However, the shaft hit my knees so I think they're best for ladies 5"4' or taller.  The shaft on these was wider than the Carson and could be manageable with jeans, but not optimal for those of us with <12.5" calves. These are certainly more casual than the Carson boots but could work with skirts. I probably wouldn't feel comfortable wearing such expensive boots as my casual/weekend boots. These boots are sold out at Shopbop but there seem to be frequent pop-backs. They are also at other online vendors that I found while googling. (In the picture below, my right leg is wearing my trusty Naya Quail boots, which I reviewed last year in this post.)

Coclico Windy

3) Coclico 'Ramona' ($535)
These were a bit more snug on my bare calves compared to the Windy boots, but still less snug than the Carson boots. I really liked them and think they'd be a great casual wear pair. I think they'd look great with skinny jeans or leggings. As with the others, these were very comfortable. Also available at Amazon, Neiman Marcus.

Coclico Ramona

closeup of Ramona's calf circumference

Little Contessa

Review: Frye Melissa Scrunch

I'll try to keep this review short since I already mentioned these boots in a previous boot roundup. Although Zappos and Amazon list these as having a 12" circumference, I measured 13" on the size 6 pair I received. I think there are a few of you in the 12.5" - 13" range who these boots will work for, but for me, these are a pass. 

I ordered these in the Dark Brown, which is a brownish-reddish and seems like a pretty versatile color. The boots hit a couple of inches below the knee. Since the front of the boot is a "flat" leather while the back of the boot is a "scrunched" leather, I felt like the front splayed out a bit on the side.  As one reviewer noted, the foot bed is pretty narrow. I have narrow feet and my foot still took up the entire foot bed, so sizing up may be worth considering. They were comfortable but the soles on these boots were very slippery on my wood and carpet floors. 

Frye Melissa Scrunch Boots ($400)

Frye Melissa Scrunch Boots

Review: Romantic Soles Lynnea

I mentioned Romantic Soles' Lynnea Narrow Calf boots in a recent boot roundup because the description says it's "designed to accommodate a narrow calf." This makes me optimistic that our community is starting to be recognized by mainstream vendors rather than just niche, high-end ones! I found these boots only on Zappos, got them today (Zappos' super-quick shipping never ceases to amaze me), and quickly took pictures to post this review. 

Romantic Soles Lynnea Narrow Calf Boots ($120)

Boot Roundup

It's election day! And although I don't think boots are on people's minds this morning, I wanted to do another quick roundup post. It was exciting to see quite a few comments on the last roundup post and I'm sure other readers found them helpful as well. I hope those of you who have experience with the boots below can chime in to the discussion. (Apologies in advance for the Frye overload. They just pop up the most in my Zappos searches and I don't know yet if this is because their calf circumferences are incorrectly listed or because they actually have narrow calves.) 

1) Frye Melissa Scrunch ($400) - 12"
I ordered these today and hope to put up a review next week. Both Amazon and Zappos say the circumference is 12", so we'll see. [UPDATE: Thanks to Zappos' great service, I got these boots shortly after posting this entry. Unfortunately, the size 6 has a 13" calf circumference so it won't work for most of us. I'll post a review soon].

2) Frye Mimi Back Scrunch Boot ($450) - 13"
These seem like a heel version of the Melissa scrunch. Only one review so far on Zappos, but the reviewer said they fit her self-described narrow calves. Available at Amazon, Zappos, Frye, and Dillards. Frye says a size 6 has a 13.25" circumference, which makes me think it's the same for the Melissa Scrunch. 

3) Frye Mimi Scrunch Boot ($260-$390) - 14" (size 7.5)
Ladies with both narrow- and regular-calves submitted reviews that said these boots fit them well, so I'm a bit confused on how well these could work. Found them at Amazon (some on sale), Zappos (black is on sale for $215), Heels.com, and 6pm (in a size 11 for $215). Frye says a size 7 has a 13" calf, which made me wish I ordered these to review instead because perhaps a size 6 has a 12.5" calf.

4) Frye Riding Chelsea ($500) - 13" (size 7)
A couple of reviewers said these were tight on their calves but one reviewer said a size 9 was too large for her 13 1/4" calves. Many reviewers said they sized down at least 1 size and a couple of reviewers said these are more suitable for taller women. At Zappos and Amazon. Frye says a size 6 has a 15" circumference, but that doesn't seem in line with the Zappos reviews. 

5) Romantic Soles - Lynnea Narrow Calf Boot ($120) 
A size 7.5 is listed as having a 14" circumference but one reviewer said these boots fit her 12" calves. I'm thinking of ordering these. These are marketed specifically as a narrow-calf boot, which I haven't seen before. So far, I've only seen them at Zappos. 

6) DV by Dolce Vita Lujan-2 ($200-$220)
A few reviewers said these were good for skinny calves and one reviewer said they fit her 13" calf well. The shaft is listed as 17" tall so this might be for taller ladies. One reviewer on Piperlime said these were too big for her calf. Available at Zappos, Shoes.com, Macy's, and Piperlime.

7) Me Too Latrice ($155) 
Zappos lists a size 8.5 as having a 12" circumference, which is hard to believe, although the fabric panel at the back makes me hopeful. Available also at Amazon, Shoebuy, and Shoeline. Reviews on the HSN seem positive, although none commented on a narrow calf, which makes me question whether these are truly for slim calves. 

8) Rockport Tristina ($225)
Says a size 7 has a 12" calf. I like the look of these. Available at Zappos, Planet Shoes, Shoebuy, Rockport, and Amazon. One Amazon reviewer said the calf on a size 9 was too big for her 13" calf and a Zappos reviewer said the calf on a size 9.5 was too small for her 14.5" calf. 

9) Rockport Lola ($190) 
Zappos says a size 8 has a 14" calf. One reviewer said these fit her 13" calf well but didn't provide her shoe size. 

10) Sesto Meucci Darsy ($362)
Zappos doesn't have many sizes left but lists a 12" circumference for a size 7.5. I couldn't find these boots elsewhere, but did find a similar pair called 1201/M from the same brand, on Amazon. 

LC 

p.s. - I don't know why my Amazon links have those annoying white boxes around them... perhaps b/c they're affiliate links?

Review: Blondo Vergara

The price of Blondo's Vergara boots recently dropped by $70 (from $250 to $180) at Nordstrom and since most sizes are still available, it seemed like a good time to post a review. I included these boots in a recent boot roundup because there are lots of shout-outs to skinny-calf ladies on the product page.  

My true size (6) fit well. The foot of the boot is leather, but the description says that the shaft is a "stretchy, diamond quilted" fabric and it reminded me of a fabric version of chain-link. I think the picture on their product page is very accurate. Although the boots fit well, they weren't my style. They are a bit too shiny for me and the foot portion seemed to stand out so I felt they made my foot look really long (another reviewer had this same complaint). However, after wearing them for a bit around my apartment, I warmed up to them more and I think they look nice in the pictures below. 

Blondo Vergara ($250, now $180)

Boot Roundup: Heels

While looking for boots to write about in a roundup of boots with heels, I found the following resource -- a post on boots with heels, for skinny calves. It looks like the author has quite a few posts on narrow calf boots and although she doesn't review them herself, the posts are a helpful reference. I'll have to see if roundup posts by me will add anything of value beyond what she has called out in her posts. Any suggestions to make these more helpful? Have any of you used her posts to find boots? If you do find boots that work, it would be great if you could mention them in the comments or in a personal email to me so I can get out the word. In the meantime, I browsed on my own and also looked through her list and weeded out boots that were definitely not narrow calf boots (I read reviews on other sites) or ones that seemed less promising. I think I got through most of her list, but am not sure if she's updated it since then. 

Sidenote -- ever since Endless.com changed to Amazon.com/fashion, it feels like the stock of most boots is super low! When I click on a pair, I feel like I'm constantly notified that there's only 1 left in stock. I'm not sure if they restock regularly, but I find this very frustrating. 

Also, as a reminder, my "Roundup" posts are based on boots I found while browsing but have not had an opportunity to try on. I base the roundups on the listed calf circumference and what any existing reviews say about the boots. 

1) Blondo 'Vergara' (now $180) - 13" - A reviewer said that a size 9.5 fit her 13" calves. Quite a few other reviewers said this boot fit their skinny calves well. Unfortunately, it looks like it's a Nordstrom exclusive so I couldn't find it at other sites, but I might order it for a future review. 

2) Santana 'Belinda' ($90-$200) - 13" for size 8 - The listing says the calf circumference is 14" but one reviewer said these fit her 13" calves perfectly. She didn't provide her shoe size so I searched through her many other reviews to find that she's likely a size 8. A little nuts of me but hopefully it helps someone :)

3) Franco Sarto 'Yoni' ($90) - 13" - A helpful blog reader - K - said that a size 8.5 fit her 13" calf well.