footwear

Although over-the-knee boots were never out, per se, I’m so happy to see them back in with a vengeance. Fall 2013 runways were dominated by the dominating style; paired with everything from super-short skirts to long and skinny jeans, over-the-knee boots are once again the trend du jour.

I’ve long had a love affair with the look; back in 2011, I searched high and low for the perfect leather pair that encapsulated the trend while exuding understated elegance. And I found a match made in heaven with a pair of soft, supple Browns Couture boots which only set me back $498. Now before you roll your eyes at this shopaholic, #4 on my fashion board below is the exact pair I purchased (pictured in brown). Hence, it can only be called a timeless and wise investment when the style is brought back two years after its introduction. Pictured right, you can see me showing off the boots at the Fashion Forward Conference in New York City.

Alas, fashion is fickle, and I retired the boots last year for fear that the trend was waning slightly. However, as soon as the Fall Fashion Reports began circulating, I knew they would once again find heavy rotation in my wardrobe this season. Viva la over-the-knee boot!

Of course, whenever I wear my beloved boots, I normally garner two distinct reactions: (1) “I love your boots!” and (2) “I could never pull them off.”

And today, I’m here to tell you YES YOU CAN. Over-the-knee boots are a very wearable trend; you simply need to keep a few things in mind when selecting the perfect pair. Here are my 3 best tips for finding the perfect boot:

1. Be mindful of your materials. Soft, muted leather is sexy; shiny, patent leather is a Pretty Woman flashback – and a definite faux pas. To ensure that the boots complement your wardrobe (rather than stealing all the attention), choose a dark hue with minimal embellishments and understated detailing. I prefer a classic black leather myself, but I’m also partial to black suede or fabric/suede mixed media (#5 below).

2. Keep to flats. There are very few people who can pull off an over-the-knee boot with a high heel. Unless you’re Jennifer Lopez on your latest promotional tour, you *may* look like a street walker, just keepin’ it real. There’s a reason why 90% of over-the-knee boots feature a 1.5-inch heel; it’s all about balance and structure. If you do choose a tall boot with a heel (#2 below), be sure that the styling is of utmost quality and craftsmanship (designer level) or the boots will look cheap.

3. Get out your ruler. Over-the-knee boots are designed for women 5’4″ or taller. A shorter leg makes it harder to pull off the style with the intended panache; if you’re on the shorter side, stick to knee-high boots. However, if you’re set on rocking the trend (and contrary to my advice above), go for a style with a high heel to help elongate your leg and balance out the boot-to-body ratio. Keep it classy with a hidden wedge pictured in #6 below.

My very favourite affordable and wearable looks for the season: 

1. Steve Madden, $190; 2. Coach “Dalla”, $625; 3. Betsey Johnson, $250; 4. Browns Couture, $498; 5. Marc Fisher, $200; 6. Stuart Weitzman “Demiswoon”, $650; 7. Call It Spring “Zahavah”, $98; 8. ALDO “Kudela”, $200; 9. Nine West “Niteracer”, $285; 10.Chinese Laundry, $99. Tell me – are you over the moon about over-the-knee boots?