Dr. Martens Phina - Finally, sexy, wide calf leather boots!

Dr. Martens Phina

I just got these Dr. Martens Phina boots & wore them today for the first time. I totally adore them! SQUEEE!!  :D

I wear a women's size 10 in all my shoes (and i generally like a medium to wide width for that extra comfy wiggle room.) I purchased the UK8/US10 & it fit perfectly. If I had gone down a size (as reviews on Zappos suggest) I would not even be able to get these on. They are snug with socks (thin socks.)

My calf is about 18.5" so I was worried these may not work, but was hopeful as I read elsewhere that they'd fit up to about a 19" calf. They absolutely DO FIT!

The leather is so soft & pliable, that they have just enough stretch to fit comfortably. I am also on the 2nd to last hole on the buckle, so I could loosen them up a bit more if I needed to. Perhaps over jeans they may need a bit more space, but I was able to fit my entire hand down between the shaft & my leg, so I know this leather has a lot of give to it. And since it's such lovely leather, i think they will loosen up a bit more with regular wear.

One thought I had, if they didn't quite fit, was looking into leather buckle/strap extenders (they sell these for men's kilts, for example), to give just a tad bit more room (like 1/2" maybe.) Not sure how that would look (you would have to consider the width, texture & color matching up enough, etc.), but i would absolutely have considered it since I LOVE the way these books look!!

When i was first putting these on, I unzipped one & undid all the buckles. I put it on, zipped it up & then tried to fasten the buckles around my calf. This did not work so well & I thought for sure the boots would not even buckle around my calf - it just seemed like the straps were not long enough.

The second boot I left buckled & just used the zipper - they zipped right up fine. So, if you are having some issues getting the buckles to fasten, I'd suggest fastening them in the last hole or 2nd to last hole before you even put them on. The leather stretches enough to let you zip them right up.

They do pucker a bit around the ankle, sort of like the leather is slouching down. But I think that's kind of how they are supposed to be. These aren't really for that smooth, sleek look. They just have a more rugged, bad-ass, kick-some-teeth-in look :)

All in all, for the price I am sooo pleased. They are way more comfortable & roomy than most other boots of similar cost. And they don't look or feel like cheap crappy leather, like most of the other $200 boots I've tried do.

They rub a bit on the heel, and feel a little tight across the top of the foot, but this will all break-in in time & they will probably be one of my favorite pairs of boots.

Buy them here:
http://www.zappos.com/dr-martens-phina

Tights!! You can stop hating them now.....

I've seriously never been able to find tights (or pantyhose) that actually fit well & comfortably.
I buy the absolute largest size I can find & struggle to get them over my knees. If I do manage to get them on, I am yanking them up constantly as they ever-so-slowly slide down my legs & bunch at my ankles. LOL

No more!!!! I have finally found several different sites with REAL plus-size tights.  I am convinced that all other plus sized tights are for girls 80lbs soaking wet & they just slap a "plus-size" label on it, because they assume all fat girls have toothpick legs or something.

So, the first amazing place to buy your new, fabulous tights is WE LOVE COLORS:

Style #1008
http://www.welovecolors.com/shop/PlusSizeNylonLycraTights.htm


Style #1202
http://www.welovecolors.com/shop/PlusSizeBlackStripedTights.htm


Style #1204
http://www.welovecolors.com/shop/PlusSizeWhiteStripedTights.htm

Style #1008 are solid color tights, in over 50 different colors (they do have a few weird multicolored tie-dyed patterns, too)! I bought size EE to be on the safe side. Especially since I've had such horrendous experience with tights in the past. (Again, I'm 14/16 in jeans & 5'7") These tights are huge!!!! But a good, comfortable, happy huge! LOL They are super stretchy, silky, soft & ohhh sooo cozy! They are nice & clingy, but still have loads of stretch. Perfect fit.

The striped tights (over 50 colors, too, i believe) come in "One Size" but the two style #'s listed above are extremely stretchy & fit really well. There's no yanking & tugging & hoping to get your ass squeezed into them. They just pull right on. Maybe if you're a LOT larger than a 16 on the bottom half, you may have more trouble, and I'd suggest trying the #1008 style instead.

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Avenue also sells some really nice tights that actually fit well.

Their microfiber tights in size EE fit me amazingly well. Again, they are very stretchy (not as stretchy as We Love Colors, though), extremely silky & smooth, and so soft!
http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Solid-Microfiber-Tights.aspx?PfId=247705&DeptId=19988&ProductTypeId=1

I would also recommend any of their net tights, such as these (i have size EE):
http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Small-Diamond-Net-Tights.aspx?PfId=250810&DeptId=19988&ProductTypeId=1

Like fish net, only different weaves, this sort of knit is very stretchy & flexible.

I just ordered these (size E, didn't have any larger, but I think they will fit fine) & am waiting for them to get here:
http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Open-Circle-Tights.aspx?PfId=247698&DeptId=19988&ProductTypeId=1

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How about thigh highs?? 

I purchased some from Stockings Only many months ago.
I completely avoid those "stay-up" style thigh highs. They either just roll down to my ankles or give me horrifically scary muffin-top thighs LMAO Instead, go with the non-binding tops & a garter belt.
I still had to buy the size 5x or 6x, and they fit my legs really well. But, I don't wear them ever. Way too self-conscious of my legs. I'm sure my boyfriend would LOVE them, but I haven't gotten up the courage to strut around in them. LOL

http://www.stockingsonly.com/ascantyplus.htm

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Or maybe you want to get a lovely crotchless body stocking? ;) You can wear these under skirts & dresses (with panties over them, if you like!) and they can make your day/evening a little more fun, as well!

My favorite is the fish net one from Hips & Curves:
http://www.hipsandcurves.com/plus-size-lingerie/p-309-plus-size-criss-cross-fishnet-bodystocking-hosiery.aspx
I think they only have Queen size, but I have a few of them & they are really stretchy & for the most part, fit great. The open crotch takes some getting used to, as the opening can sit a little funny, so you have to adjust the whole body stocking to get things positioned right. ;) And the knit loosens up after wearing for a while too, so you sometimes have to readjust everything.

I have tried some of their lacy looking body stockings & they are horrible. I guess if you have really great, sleek muscular thighs, and just more weight in your upper half, they would work better on you. But I seriously cannot squeeze my thighs into them. They have zero stretch, so you need a perfect fit for your legs. There's no flexibility or give. And if you do squeeze them on, they just look really tight & not attractive whatsoever. LOL

If you know of any other plus-size tights or hosiery that fit you really well, please let me know!

Tripp - Leopard Pencil Skirt

 This is one of my favorite skirts!


I bought this in a 14, but exchanged it for a 16. The 14 fit, but I felt it was just too tight for me to feel comfortable in it. The 16 fits perfect & still hugs my curves & looks super sexy! woo-wooo!!! It helps that I have a super sexy man telling me how hot I look all the time, too! LOL

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Clothing/Bottoms/Skirts//Tripp+-+Leopard+Pencil+Skirt-557677.jsp

I paired this skirt with these diamond net tights from Avenue
http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Small-Diamond-Net-Tights.aspx?PfId=250810&DeptId=20003&ProductTypeId=1

I ordered these tights in brown and size EE. I always, ALWAYS order the largest size I can find in pantyhose & tights, because they always run so fucking small! Drives me nuts. I'm only 5'7" and can order tights for someone 6' tall & nearly 400lbs and find them to be 8" too short. I mean, seriously, WTF is that about?? I'm a 14/16, and about 220lbs. There's no reason I shouldn't be able to find tights that fit! Especially when I buy plus size tights in some ginormous size, and they look like they'd barely fit some anorexic 8 year old. Anyway, these diamond net tights fit really well. I always have excellent luck with fish net & similar nets. They have a lot of stretch, so are super comfortable & fit well. I still find i'm yanking them up every now & again, but seems my hosiery always likes to migrate towards my ankles ;) LMAO

Tripp - Red Leopard Pencil Skirt

 http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Clothing/Bottoms/Skirts//Tripp+-+Red+Leopard+Pencil+Skirt-534575.jsp

I absolutely ADORE this skirt!!!!

I am (or should I say, was) one of those girls that love dresses & skirts but NEVER wear them in public.

However, I have slowly sucked up my hatred of my legs being bared for the world to see (not that anyone is even looking, I'm sure) & I've started wearing skirts a lot. 

Part of my issue, of never wearing skirts in public, was never having cute shoes to wear that complimented my legs & outfit, as well.

I've been slowly revamping my wardrobe, so I have sexy clothes to wear & can feel much more confident about how I look in them. ANYWAY....


I bought this skirt, originally, in a size 14. It fit, but I felt it was WAY too clingy & not in a good way. I'm pretty self-conscious of how I look, so I don't want to have some skin-tight skirt showing off every bump.  I returned the 14 & got a size 16 instead. Fits perfect. Still hugs my sexy curves, but not in that white-trash-muffin-top way that's so popular these days.

You know, just because you can get it on, doesn't mean it fits, nor does it mean you should be seen in public with it on!! LOL

Bloody Mess - Iron Fist

I purchased these heels a while ago.

I ordered a size 11, though i usually wear size 10.
Yikes, these shoes are SO UNCOMFORTABLE!!! They are extremely tight & crampy in the toe box. They are fine if you're sitting down or laying down, or doing anything other than walking/standing. LOL

I haven't even worn them out yet, because I can't wear them around the house for more than 5 minutes before I start cursing them out.

I usually wear them while I'm sitting at my computer desk, surfing the internet. Then my toes go completely numb, after only a few minutes & I have to take them off. :D

They are super cute & sexy, but I don't think I will ever be able to wear them out.

I think they have about a 5" heel & a 1" platform. I don't mind the height of the heel for walking, but since they are closed toe, they put too much pressure on my toes. The toe box actually feels odd, almost like I have my shoes on the wrong feet. So, my poor toes are not too happy in there.

I did try the frozen water trick, hoping to do some minute amount of stretching, so that I could wear these more comfortably, but so far, there has been no relief for the crampy toes. So sad.

There is the possibility that they will just stretch on their own, with more wear. But it's one of those situations where I don't WANT to wear them more than necessary because they hurt so much! LOL My other pair of IF shoes did stretch quite a bit after wearing them, so I suppose there is some ray of hope.

Here I Lie - Iron Fist

I purchased these heels a long while ago.

Now, I usually wear a size 10 in shoes, but not knowing how these would really fit, I ordered an 11. It was a very good thing, because these shoes were so unbelievably tight & uncomfortable. I had to resort to the frozen water trick for some toe relief....

Fill a zipper baggie about 1/4 to 1/2 full with water & close it TIGHT! Slip the bag of water into the toe of the shoe & try to make sure it's filling in all the toe space well. Then pop the entire thing into the freezer & leave it overnight (or till the water is completely frozen!) When you remove the ice the next day, it should have stretched the shoes a bit. You can repeat this to get a little more stretch.

Now these shoes are polyurethane (as far as I know), so I wasn't sure how well they'd stretch. But they really stretched quite a bit. Now, after wearing them a lot, they are loose & rather comfortable. They do hurt the balls of my feet after walking for a few hours, but again, there is zero padding/cushion, so that is to be expected.

These have something like a  5" heel & a 1" platform. But they are extremely easy to walk in. I really love wearing them with jeans.

Melia Zebra Peep-Toe

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/Shoes/Heels//Melia+Zebra+Peep-Toe+Heel+Wide+Width-523889.jsp

$39.50


I purchased these in a size 10. They fit well & feel quite comfortable.
The ankle strap is removable, which I like. I am probably going to remove it, just for convenience, but we will see ;) I haven't worn them out of the house yet, because it's been raining & yucky, and they are fabric on the outside. They have a 4 1/2" heel & 1" platform. I totally love that Torrid shoes are wide width, because I can buy my usual size & they will actually fit like a dream! No weird rubbing & not a lot of toe aches (other than from walking way too long in shoes without much cushion, typical for a lot of heels!)