How to wear Over-the-Knee Boots

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How to wear Over-the-Knee Boots

How to wear Over-the-Knee Boots …without looking like you stepped in a hole

I have absolutely gone wild with the new over-the-knee boots and bought myself a fabulous pair.

But now that I have these amazing boots at home, everything that I try to wear with them doesn’t look as good as it does on the models in the magazines or celebrities.

I’m 5’5″ tall and average size. I don’t want to return the boots, I just want to look great wearing them. How can I make the over-the-knee boots trend work for me? (Milwaukee, WI)

Try our Updated Over-the-Knee Boots Shopping Guide:

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When worn in the right way, over-the-knee boots are fab! However, something this cool can turn very bad, like the dumpy hooker look, if you make the wrong fashion choice. Simply stated, keep the stiletto over-the-knee boots for your personal frisky business or the next time you take on a side gig as a back-up dancer on the Vegas Strip.

On a less than provocative note, there is a tendency to get a stumpy, dumpy look as if you are standing in a hole if you break your body up into too many visual breaks. What you want to do is to create a long a lean silhouette with the over-the-knee boots acting as beam to stand you taller rather than cut your down.

The way to chicify over-the-knee boots and give them some edge is too wear them in a way that extends the length of your leg without any visual breaks. Match your tights to the boots or tuck in skinny pants that compliment the color to guarantee a built in leggier feel. Keep to a modern casual aesthetic with flats, stacked heels, wedges, or any other type of heel that has more substance than a very thin high stiletto to avoid the tacky feel. You can mimic the feel of over-the-knee boots by wearing chunking, knee-topping socks with regular boots and layer over dark tights.

Continue to maintain a longer and lean silhouette by wearing tunic or longer boyfriend jackets that covers your tush and spotlights your legs to create length. Once you cinch in your waist or wear a fluffy skirt, your figure is instantly dissected and the higher boot will further break the line.
Keep your clothing and tights tonal and create interest by adding texture, like suede or chunky knit, rather than with contrasting color.

Published on December 19, 2008

Sharon Haver

Resident fashion expert- With just about 20 years experience in the glamour industry as a New York-based photography fashion stylist, syndicated columnist, contributing editor, lecturer, on-air television/radio fashion expert, and founder / editor in chief of FocusOnStyle.com. Sharon Haver knows the modern-thinking woman wants easygoing style that suits her individual needs, spiced with just the right amount of flip and wit to make it personal.

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