By Amy Anderson
When it comes to fashion, my Achilles heel has always been finding the perfect pair of winter boots. Whilst I’ll happily sit at my computer for hours, drooling over the latest Kurt Geiger collections and trends on Pintrest, actually shopping for boots has always been completely different matter entirely.
Whenever I fall in love with a pair on the shop floor, I almost always fall out of love with them as soon as I try them on. My calves are definitely on the larger side so I’ve always struggled to find boots that fit me in the feet but don’t give me the dreaded ‘muffin top legs’ because, well, who in their right mind would want to rock that look?!
I was really excited, then, to be invited along to DUO in Edinburgh to find out more about their winter collection and the revolutionary sizing method they use. DUO is a British brand which started back in the early 1970’s and now has ‘fitting rooms’ in Edinburgh, Bath and London. All staff are trained experts in fitting and can offer amazing advice as to which styles are best suited to your body shape. DUO are a really unique company as their boots are sold in up to 21 different calf sizes and their shoes come in three different widths, thus offering a solution to two of the most common and frustrating problems with footwear. They also stock shoes in a really wide range of sizes. It’s about time the Shoe Gods sat up and listened to my prayers!
Upon arriving at the event, I was introduced to three ‘Boot Tribes’ by the lovely PR ladies that organised the event: The Ankle Tribe, The Knee-High Tribe and The Over-The-Knee Tribe. DUO believes that every woman belongs to at least one of these tribes. Those in the Ankle Tribe are inspired by the quirky yet understated style commonly rocked by the likes of Alexa Chung whilst those in the Over-the-Knee Tribe take their inspiration from pulled-together fashionistas like Olivia Palermo. As a huge fan of Kate Moss’ edgy yet glamorous look, I found myself most drawn to the Knee-High Tribe.
Whilst I’d initially planned to try and pick out a sensible pair of comfortable leather boots, I couldn’t help but fall hopelessly in love with a gorgeous pair of high-heeled suede boots called Brita. Whilst they’re definitely not as practical as some of their other styles such as Fader or Gravina, the thought of actually being able to get a pair of boots as gorgeous as this to fit me perfectly was too good an opportunity to pass up so, yup, you guessed it, Brita it was!
One of DUO’s friendly sales assistants was more than happy to give me a professional ‘fitting’, during which she not only asked me what size I usually wear but also measured my calves to ensure a perfect fit. When the first pair was a little bit too snug, it was no problem for her to exchange them for a slightly wider pair which were the perfect fit. I’ve never experienced this before and was amazed at how many different options they offer. Usually, when a pair of boots are too narrow for me that instantly means I have to hand them back to the sales assistant and usually go off in a sulk!
Though my new boots do have quite a high heel, they are surprisingly comfortable as they have a hidden platform which is actually cushioned for added comfort. They sit just below the knee which is very flattering as it makes my stubby legs look slightly longer (always a bonus!) and they aren’t too tight around the calves. I can’t wait to wear them with skinny jeans and chunky knit jumpers and I will definitely be heading back to DUO for a pair of more practical boots this winter.
It’s official; I’ve discovered the Holy Grail of Shoe Shops!
Which #BootTribe do you belong to? Leave us a comment below or Tweet us @Scotcampus