Lightening my hair color meant this winter I'll be needing some non-black boots :) I didn't want the usual dark brown, so I searched for cognac/spice/etc color boots. The color looks great in person, and I trust the Seychelles brand, so I'm happy with my purchase. I like the short heel, as my feet don't like to go flat but I'll be walking a lot, so can't be too high.
My usual size is 7.5, but these are a bit too loose. However, I tried the 7s and those were just too tight, and I had tight boots before that never loosened up enough even after cobbler treatment, so I learnt my lesson. I kept the 7.5 and added a foam insert to make it work. It's not necessary for sole comfort, I just needed it to fit better.
I have small calves, so these are a tiny bit loose around, but only about half an inch. I can always just add a pair of knee-high socks, but as I'll be likely wearing them over leggings or skinny jeans, the shaft width works for me. They are not too wide to look funny under bootcut or straight leg jeans either. If you have athletic calves, these may not work for you, although there is a bit of a built-in stretch. Amazon has a good return policy (which is why I was able to order two sizes to compare), so give it a try!