In our last Style Rules for Moms article, many readers either commented (or wrote in) wondering how tall a boot must be to qualify as a "tall boot".
Tall boots typically have a shaft height of roughly 16". On a petite mom like J (pictured goofin' around, next to a very pregnant me at left) 16" would probably hit very close to her kneecap. Which is what gives tiny moms the whole "little girl in my mommy's boots" look.
J solved this problem perfectly by going for a pair of Frye Harness boots (in a gorgeous charcoal color).
On a such a petite frame, the 12" shaft height is plenty, but still tall enough to style like any other "tall boot".
However, things do get a bit tricky.
Mid-rise boots have a roughly 8" shaft…going all the way up to 10". I think even the shortest of moms would do best to stick with at least a 12" shaft height for their tall boot option. Else, the styling (and look) will be that of a mid-rise boot.
Shorter moms should look for tall boots that have a shaft height of anywhere between 12" and the normal 16" for the best tall boot look.
Here are a few tall boot options that have shaft heights that range from 12" – 15":
ShortTallBoots by aintnomomjeans featuring leather mid calf boots
Thanks, J! Am SO loving those boots!
xo,
S
I’m a fairly petite mom (5’4″), and I solved this problem by heading to the girls department! I wear a 7 normally, so in the girls dept, I wear a 5. The shaft of the boot is a bit smaller, and you can still find nice boots. Kohls has a “Candies girl” line that is nearly identical to the Candies boots in womens. As a bonus, they usually cost less in the girls section, too.
Great post but you don’t mention how tall J is or what you consider petite. I am 5’5″ and consider myself average height so I’m wondering what your cutoff height is to be considered petite. At least when it comes to boots. P.S. You look terrific! When are you due?
I stumbled across this blog after doing a google search for some validation of a recent boot purchase (Nine West Maeble Black Boot). Lovely blog! I especially am relieved to know that I’m not the only one (along with my co-ad hoc MOM bloggers) that spend all night searching for the perfect boot. After one especially long session, I complained to my friend “It’s just so hard, I’m trying to put all my eggs in one boot basket, and it’s not going to work!”
Yay! Thanks for this, I posed the question on the other post. I just looked up my boots…they are 13.5 and I am 4ft 11in, so I think I’m safe. I was thinking about this blog today – went to a football game wearing my old standby bootcut jeans (that make my tush look great, if I do say so myself)…but everyone else was wearing skinny jeans tucked into boots. I guess the bootcut jeans are officially over, as you guys wisely proclaimed. 🙂
YAY! This post actually might help me get my sister (5′) into skinny jeans and boots!
Love this post. I am 5ft and constantly in search of the perfect boot.