Many women find it difficult to find boots that don’t require sticklike calves. To fix this problem, some shoppers have gone so far as to buy boots two sizes too big just to be comfortable. There are, however, many solutions to this common problem.

The more obvious solution is to find designers who produce women’s boots in wide or extra wide calve. Even though the label can be somewhat upsetting, keep in mind that in the boot world, wide is normal. Certain materials work better with the average boot wearer. Leather will eventually stretch to fit and other lycra materials move well with your calve muscles to create a smooth and sexy leg.

When making your choice, make sure the boot has extra give, so that you can comfortably walk. When walking, all the muscles in your calve and leg enlarge slightly for balance and stability and when a boot is too tight, walking can be difficult and even painful. If the boot is extremely tight, the seams may rip, ruining the boot altogether.

All different style boots exist which help greatly with the calve size problem. First of all, with flexible leather, a zipper along the length of the boot can make for an easier fit. Second, ankle height or mid-calve boots have all of the style of knee high boots eliminating calve problems entirely. These styles can also increase overall comfort and look great with jeans!

Bigger heels and fun new styles have made boots one of the most fashionable and popular type of shoe today. Boots are not only great for working, hiking, and horseback riding; boots look great with all lengths of skirts and all types of slacks. Cowboy boots can now be worn anywhere, including city sidewalks. And pointed toe boots make a bold fashion statement. There are rubber boots to be worn in the rain, and platform boots working their way back up from the 70’s discos. Boots are no longer just for mucking stalls, they come in infinite colors and styles to fit every personality type.

No matter what your experience with boots, there are styles for you. You do not need to have tiny calves to wear boots, you just have to know what to look for: stretchy materials, wide or extra wide labels, full-length zippers, or just ankle length boots. With comfortable and stylish boots, any woman can feel sexier and fashionable.

Kimi Lasser is a consumer writer and fashion consultant for a local women’s dress shoes store and a women’s boots enthusiast. She currently attends the Rochester Institute of Technology where she studies Advertising Photography.

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Let us understand from the start that the term
“Undress” did not signify being unclothed. Likewise,
“Half Dress” did not mean one was literally half-
dressed. The terms are categorical, not literal.
Like Full-Dress, their name referred more to function
than a state of being. In which case you may ask,
‘What does it all mean?’

It means there had to be many gowns in a genteel
Regency lady’s wardrobe–regardless of the size of
her fortune. Indeed, to be active in society the
necessity of owning a large wardrobe could hardly
be avoided. In a small town such as Longbourne (where
the Bennett’s lived) the categories no doubt
overlapped more than they would, say, for a
debutante in London.

Nevertheless, a number of categories of dress were necessary, and of course there would have to be variety within each category–and this, no matter
where you dwelt, for there were different uses for

the different categories, as we shall see.

Having said that, one could argue there are
only two main categories of clothing for the Regency
belle: Undress and Full Dress. In this
“model”, Undress includes all of the gowns worn during
the day, and what is otherwise called Half Dress.
(Which is to say, the majority of clothing for daytime,
and even perhaps, informal evening wear.)

Day gowns include any gown worn for the morning,
walking out, shopping, carriage riding, or making
calls. Full Dress, on the other hand, was for the
evening Ball, very fancy Dinner, Opera or
appearance at Court. (The Royal Court, not a court
of law.)

The chief difference between Undress and Full was a
lower bodice for the evening, but in practice full
dress implied a whole ensemble; A short-sleeved
empire-waisted, low-necked gown, (generally of muslin
but by no means restricted to such) and including evening
gloves, a fancy headdress of some sort, a few jewels,
a fan, perhaps a reticule, and satin slippers. Other
accessories could also be worn or on hand: feathers,
boas, shawls, scarves and fans, to name the most common.

The following gowns constituted Undress.

See the difference? In theory, you were in Undress
in the morning, Half-dress in the afternoon, and
Full Dress for evening events. (Such as, a dinner or
soiree, opera, ballet, theatre, concert, or ball).
Court Dress was also considered Full Dress, though
it had extravagant requirements that no other
occasion called for.

According to the Georgian Index, a wonderful online
resource for Regency fans, Dinner Dress and Opera
Dress fall into the category of “Half Dress.”
And only “Evening, Ball and Court Dresses” passed
as Full Dress. Is your head swimming, yet? If not,
consider that the Riding Habit might not fit into
any of the above, but simply constitute a category
in its own right!

Ah, so many dresses, so little time! No wonder the
all-important Regency “season” was a roller-coaster
ride of entertainments, diversions and delights.
A lady must needs have enough events to make use of such an extensive wardrobe, and enough gowns in her
possession to attend them in “the mode.” Pity the
poor chit who couldn’t follow protocol or dress for
the occasion. Such was the challenge for families
with more pretension than means, who wished to
launch a Regency buck or belle into the swirl
of the fashionable elite.

The Regency. There’s never been a time quite like it.
You’ve got to love it!

PS:(I didn’t forget about Headdress. Article coming
soon!)
copyright Linore Rose Burkard 2006

Linore Rose Burkard is the Author/Editor of the monthly eZine, “Upon My Word! Facts, Fashion and Figures of the Regency.” Subscribe for free at http://www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com/Regency_eZine.html
Ms. Burkard is also the author of the Regency Romance, Before the Season Ends, a ground-breaking new book which combines the Regency with Inspirational Romance! (Love “Pride and Prejudice?” You’ll love this book.) Go to:
http://www.LinoreRoseBurkard.com.

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Hats are a large part of any woman’s wardrobe. Not only are they functional but the hat is great to provide protection from harsh weather. Most formal outfits will be greatly accented by dressy hats, adding a certain style that may have been otherwise lacking. For an evening out on the town you should think about wearing a hat as both a fashion statement and cover from wind or rain.

There are alot of different types of womens hats available for most occasions. You can find felt hats for a formal nite out. They will match any evening gown perfectly and accent what you are wearing. Try to glance around at as many different styles as you can until you find the perfect hat for your tastes. Remember that you will be wearing it often so it is important that you are happy with it.

To go with a more relaxing outfit you can wear visors, berets, or baseball hats made specifically for women. These are more suited to relaxing with family members and friends than a formal meal, but can make just as bold a fashion statement. These types of hats more popular than you may think. How many women have you seen wearing visors or golf hats out on the golf course? Not only are they in style but they provide protection from the suns UV rays.

And for those western girls you can always find womens cowboy hats. For as many styles of mens cowboy hats, there are just as many distinct women’s styles. The popularity of this hat means you will have a large selection from a variety of manufacturers.

And if none of the above are what you’re browsing for you can always get a custom made hat, suited specifically to your tastes and attire. This is a terrific way to find something that will be completely unique to you. Noone else will have the exact same hat. It is a pretty good feeling knowing that you won’t find another person out in public wearing the same hat as you.

No matter what the occasion there are many different hats to select from. So whether you are out for a formal nite on the town or catching an afternoon ball game you know you have a hat to wear.

James McDonald writes for findhatsonline.com, a website dedicated to custom hats and other headwear. Browse our categories to find a hat and read our articles for information related to the industry.

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