As a Size 18, I Struggled to Find Stylish Wide-Calf Boots—Until I Discovered These 6 Pairs

For years, boots shopping for me felt like a chic form of emotional endurance training. When it came to the heel, the fabric and the vibe, I could find what I wanted without question—but I would always be let down by the fit. As a size 18, my calves have always been on the fuller side, and when I was younger, I dreamed of owning a pair of over-the-knee or knee-high boots; the kinds worn by some of my favourite pop artists of the mid-Noughties. Sadly, those dreams were cut short by zips that refused to budge, and brands that quietly but consistently declined to make space for bigger legs.

For a long time, the message was clear: some trends weren’t for ‘everyone’. But fashion, in a rare and welcome plot twist, is evolving. More brands are finally embracing inclusive sizing, creating stylish wide-calf boots that don’t feel like an afterthought or a personal challenge. Boots that zip up without nicking the skin; boots that feel and look good.