Oh please, dear COTH pals, help me! I want black cowboy boots, but I have an abbondanza calf size (it’s not for nothing that I love the Womanly Sized Riders Unite thread).
Any suggestions re brand?
Help! 
Maybe a boot guy can put a gusset in for you?
AHA!
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!
I knew you’d be getting a pair of cowboy boots sooner or later!
And now I’m jealous. I sooo want a pair!
Yes, you KNEW it would happen!
Misty, I am showing Oliver western at the end of June. I know that it would be perfectly fine to use paddock boots, since it’s a little schooling show, but since I have my fabulous pimp-o-rama Hobby Horse show shirt and my yee-ha new cowboy hat, I have to have cowboy boots.
No, I am not wearing the cowboy hat in mounted classes. I will look like a fat dork with my helmet on, but whatever, it’s a wonderful fundraiser for Red Bucket Equine Rescue. 
I do not want to have to spend the $$ for a gusset atop new boots. For that I would just get new paddock boots LOL!
I saw the most amazing black patent leather Ariat cowboy boots last year, white patent trim, totally pimped. Yet, alas, they are for legs of the skinny persuasion. And none of me be of the skinny persuasion.
Have you tried the lower height, wider topped FatBaby boots by Ariat. They make them as riding boots and in tons of colors I think.
And yes, having boots to go with the rest of the pimped outfit is a must!
[QUOTE=MistyBlue;5605347]
Have you tried the lower height, wider topped FatBaby boots by Ariat. They make them as riding boots and in tons of colors I think.
And yes, having boots to go with the rest of the pimped outfit is a must![/QUOTE]
Ha! I was thinking FatBaby, too. Here’s a link:
http://www.ariat.com/Western/Women/Footwear/Fatbaby/FatbabyCowgirl.html
Many colors. Very cute.
ShowBaby is another appealing model.
Short tops will help.
A gusset is your friend or else you can take a knife and slice down the back side of the boot a lil bit. When Dear Daughter was rodeo queening we did this with some of the western dress boots that were snug going over her abundent calf. Or as stryder said, use roper boots and not the taller dress boot. However, most folks would advise against riding in Fatbaby boots because the sole is thick and wide and won’t come out of a stirrup easily.
Try a longer standing brand than Ariat - try Tony Lama, Justin, Nocona etc as they make more shaft length variation on any given style than Ariat and they also have a deeper scallop on top and that makes a world of difference. Double H also makes wider shafts than many makers, so do shop around before you set your heart on Ariats. I know, because I have fat calves too (and weird feet) so I cannot wear Ariats, Boulet, Brahman (Boulets in cheap clothing) and a couple of others. Those boots do not fit ‘duck’ feet (AA heel and B toe in my case) and are made worse by having a very high instep.
I semi-sneer at the shorter shanked, lower boot heel. Olathes have a snazzy deep scallop boot that is good for colt starting. The top really spreads out so you don’t get your foot stuck in the boot should it get stuck in the stirrup after you’ve taken a header off your colt. Follow that?? So, it’s really good for us fluffier legged ladies.
The Olathes do cowgirl pimped out pretty good too! Hubby’s boots are all Olathes and mine are Olathes and Tony Lama’s. I do admit to owning some Fatbabies but don’t ride in them. You can’t quit your stirrups or horse quickly due to the sole.
The Fatbabies come in different soles. Some are indeed stirrup-friendly (but you do have to be careful not to get the unsafe lugged ones, especially if you are ordering online).
Coreene, I’m not a huge Ariat fan, but the ProBabies (the taller version of the Fatbabies) fit my very large calves (18.5"), so I’d encourage you to try them. I have a pair of Justin Gypsy(?) boots that are shorter that also fit.
Another good options are Ariat lacers - they aer basically a western paddock boot. VERY fun to dress up with silver kilties! 
Dee
I have Ariat Fat-Babies and Pro-Babies and I love them both! I have ones with stars on them I only ride in the ones with the designated riding safe soles though. I think they are super comfortable and easy to get off an on.
I have Ariat Probabies and they fit my wide calves just fine. I have also ridden in them quite a bit, actually, in english stirrups too (Royal Riders 4 3/4 with cheesegraters) and they’re fine, never felt like I was stuck. I wouldn’t say they’re the highest quality boot, I used mine to show FFA livestock, ride in when I forgot my tall boots, and walk around the barn in during the summer, and after about a year and a half, they’re completely falling apart. They are extremely comfy, though.
Talked to my friend who rides western and she said that’s not uncommon for western boots, however, and that she has to buy new pairs every couple years.
Hope you find just the right boots!
have you tried mens’ sizes? i love my durango boots and where them everywhere.
not for my calves but for my really wide feet, much better fit than the womens’ same style.
I think we need to take a trip to the local boot barn, I could always use another pair of boots:winkgrin:
Ariat Fatbaby, Rodeobaby, Showbaby, Whoababy, Ranchbaby, Justin Gypsy all have shorter shafts and stirrup friendly soles.
Ooooh, thank you for all the super suggestions! And I just remembered that, should it come to gussetness, the shoe repair near my nail place is a boot guy.
You do all realize this is for a sum total of one halter class and one flat class? Because, after all, it is about the photos! 
My calves aren’t fat, but they’re certainly not skinny either. I have a pair of Boulets in a Men’s 7, which I LOVE. They’re expensive but worth every penny. They are the most comfortable boots I own with the possible exception of my Dubarrys.
If you want something a bit cheaper you could try Durangos Cowboy Boots. I think I got mine on clearance for like $80. I got them in a Men’s 7 too. It was funny - we were in Jackson, WY and there were a bunch of tourists in the shop trying on boots and plaid shirts. I think we were the only people in there who actually worked on a ranch.
I actually prefer the men’s boots to the women’s as there’s less bling on them. I got a men’s belt for the same reason. I got it 3 years ago and wear it pretty much every day - still looks brand new!
Except for the Fatbabies, I think all mine are men’s boot too. They don’t wear out but it seemed to me, the women’s boots don’t hold up as well.
One class or oodles of classes, you have to have “the look”!
Another vote for Durangos for something off the shelf. They aren’t expensive and b/c of that they seem to have a little more give to them with the thinner leather.
I’ve also had several pairs of Ariat ropers that I’ve loved.
You do all realize this is for a sum total of one halter class and one flat class? Because, after all, it is about the photos!
You don’t want to know what we’ve spent over the years “for the pictures.”
But with that said, I wear my cowboy boots all the time and never to the barn. They work well under a pair of boot cut jeans to go out in and are way more comfy than heels.
