Footwear follies

Since moving to the Tennessee I have discovered the weather here is drastically different!
Realistically I knew there would be a difference in temperature and humidity, 'cause duh the south is humid and warm.

What has taken some getting used to is all the rain!

Buckets and buckets of rain. Drenching, pouring, warm summer rain. 

Fat, chubby, luscious raindrops, the size of nickels and bigger!

Back in the bay area we haven't seen rain on this level in my entire life! I think about what rain is like back there and the raindrops that I had considered big, are laughable now. That's like a sprinkle here.

No wonder everything is so green and over grown here.

All this rain caught me very unprepared in the shoe department.

When we packed for the 4 day drive in our car, space was at a premium I only brought a pair of flip flops and one pair if canvas sneakers. Really these are the only shoes I wear in the summer. 

Back in the bay I could get away with wearing my flip flops if it was raining. Flip flops so long as you have a pair with some tread on the bottom, make a perfect shoe. Also I really hate wearing shoes.

The first time I tried to walk here while it was pouring rain, my flip flops got pulled off my feet because of how deep the water on the ground was. It was so bad I had to carry my shoes and walk barefoot. This happened multiple times before I came to the conclusion I can't wear my shoes in the rain here. This leaves me in a odd position as I can't spare my only close toe shoes, that are basically sponges on my feet, or my flip flops because they will just come off.  

I had to look for rain boots, but like all clothing challenges it wasn't going to be easy. 

As a fat girl with big calves (17 lovely inches!), I knew I was going to have serious trouble. 

I looked online before even attempting to go buy boots, The pickings were slim! 

The shaft circumference on the boots at target, 12 inches.. 12.. thats 5 inches smaller than my lovely legs, so no dice there. 

I then remembered that last winter I had been ogling boots from L.L. Bean, Yes le horror, yuppie clothes that aren't in my size and boots so expensive they make your eyes cross. But they are well made, and from all accounts they seem to last a looong time. 
To be honest I also dislike most of the wide-calf options that are available on plus size websites.


The first pair that caught my eye were:  Bar Harbor All-Weather Boots at $199

I had some serious doubts about how well they would fit my legs, despite how cute I thought they were. Additionally the only store that had them was not an easy drive. we are talking vermont or something.


Second boot I looked at were the ones I fell in LOVE with: 
Signature Women's Waxed-Canvas Maine Hunting Shoe, 16" $179

I will gladly admit I have a huge love for tall boots. I crave tall boots the way I crave knee socks and cashmere scarves. Added bonus of them being Canvas.

And Look at that gusset! That isn't some normal boot tongue, that is at minimum another two inches on calf space! I WANTED these boots so bad, I was ready to suck it up and buy them in hopes they would fit my thick wonderful legs. 

Unfortunately, They didn't have my size.. or any size except a woman's 11. I wear a 9, I cant stuff enough paper in the toe to hope I could fake it. 

I was heart broken. I was cheated. I did what any person, who wants something does; I went to eBay. 

That was also a fail. none in my size either, so I searched with less and less words in hopes someone had listed a pair incorrectly. 

And there next to an adorable succulent were leather versions of the boot!

They were used, they didn't have the best photos size wise, but it looked like they were miraculously wider than the other pair. They were starting at $30.

They were MINE! Oh and they were mine, after some serious bidding. They were also local to my new home! I could pick them up. 

Let me tell you, when I got them home and tried them on, magic happened. Not only did they fit my wonderful full legs, they had room to spare. the foot bed was wide and comfortable, my toes weren't squished. I can wear them with or without socks and they are just as comfortable!

I fortunately had longer laces than had come with the boots. I have had the laces a very long time, and don't really know why I packed them with the stuff for the car ride, but I did and lucky too!

I did some searching to see if the leather type was something the L.L. Bean had carried in the past but discontinued for some reason. I did find that the pair if boot I have are still available, but they are a mens style. Personally I don't care about them being a "men's boot", they fit and make me happy!

Men's Maine Hunting Shoes, 16" $169

See they have that awesome gusset just like the canvas pair! But this gusset seems more generous than on the women's boot. 

Anywho I a pleased as punch with these boots. I think they will also be great this winter with the ice and snow, so kind of double lucky. The quality of these boots are great too. If I even need another pair I would seriously pay full price, now that I know how nice they are. I mean come on they fit my legs and feet, how could I not want to share the love?



XOXO

Raven(This is a personal opinion: I have not been offered anything to give this opinion. This message is not sponsored in any way shape or form. But if this fine brand wants to throw some boots my way, I wont say no.. just saying!)