By Jennifer Thorp
Want to work the new thigh-high trend as the weather gets cool, but unsure of how to do it? RESCU’s got the top tips.
Ankle boots and booties are on their way out. Every woman who has found them unflattering – and there are many – can breathe a sigh of relief.
Not so fast, though. The new trend for autumn and winter? Thigh-high boots. We’re talking over-the-knee without the Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman connotations. Thigh-high has gone high fashion, and RESCU’s here to tell you how to make the trend work for you.
First, a warning. The thigh-high craze is a boon for anybody who like to make a statement. Sergio Rossi’s embroidered tribal numbers and Christian Louboutin’s snakeskin thigh-skimmers or pom-pom boots are only for girls who want to make a severe splash.
For the rest of us, the colour palette is muted, with Stella McCartney, Hermes and Chloe showing stunning black and grey numbers. Tony Bianco’s ‘Fanatic’ and ‘Pirahna’ styles have been walking off the shelves.
Go for deep, dark colours: black, grey and brown are all workable. Anything too bright and you may look like a walking ice-cream.
Avoid deep green, too. You are not fishing. They are not waders.
The key to making this trend work? Tone the surroundings down and work with your body. Madonna’s all-Vuitton ensemble to last year’s Met Ball shows what can happen when you pair amped-up boots with amped-up clothing and accessories: one big mess.
Modest sleeves, flirty dresses and minimal jewellery suit this look best. Pare everything – hair, makeup and accessories – back to make the boots the main event.
Pair unexpected fabrics and lengths together with your thigh-highs for an on-trend look. Along military-style coat (that one’s a Lisa Ho) and a floaty dress, for instance, or a blouse and short skirt with an Alice McCall voluminous tuxedo jacket.
You can also wear them over jeans with a blazer and T-shirt, for a Kate Moss inspired look.
Body-wise, fitted is better. Make sure the boots fit snugly around the ankle to give your legs more definition, and get lace-ups, like these ones from Seduce, if you need more leeway around your thigh. Don’t go too tight; nobody needs to see a thigh bulging over a boot-top.
It also works best on those who are longer of leg. If you aren’t, but still want to have a try, pick high-heeled styles rather than flat ones, which will shorten you.
If you’re not willing to go the thigh-high route just yet, there’s still lots to play with. The military trend in boots is still going strong. Balmain’s leather and canvas boots lead the way; go look at Net-A-Porter for inspiration.
Otherwise, these Guiseppe Zanotti fold-downs are perfect for those uncomfortable with showing more than a little leg. Fold-over leather is sloppy, sexy and chic.
Your other option is the cut-out boots, one of this season’s hottest trends. Halston’s Gladiators and Marni’s peep-toe suede numbers are heating up the sidewalks of the fashion capitals. Always maintain a perfect pedicure, though.
Happy shopping!
