Over knee boots for the office: do or don't? - YouLookFab Forum

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Over knee boots for the office: do or don't?

Liesbeth

Veteran

I'm considering adding a pair of black tall boots. Was first thinking of classic riding boots, or lace-ups forfun detailing. Now I'm seeing so many suede-ish over knee boots on pinterest I'm thinking those may provide more outfit interest and elevate my many above the knee (not mini!) dresses... But are they wearable irl or only acceptable on teenage/twentysomething fashion bloggers? What about the office? Do any of you own over the knee boots?

Ps thinking of a rather basic and flat or low heeled pair, see added pic as an example.

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Helena

Veteran

I think those are fine for the office ... Very classic and really nice!

Sara L.

Veteran

I wear mine to the office. Mine aren't suede, they're leather, but I don't see that making a difference.

nuancedream

Veteran

I think the boots you are considering are very classic and totally office appropriate. I love them with an A-line midi skirt or dress. My preference is for flat or block heeled otk boots since safety and practicality are key issues when you have fussy feet like I do.

slim cat

Veteran

Looks great - should be fine for any occasion ( like low heel' fabness of the boots - envy ).

Anonymous

Absolutely fine for the office - as long as you are wearing a dress or skirt that hits below the knee I've had many over the years, but have passed my latest pairs on as I'm not into the look at the moment - for myself. I used to wear dresses in the winter a lot, but don't have any at the moment, so the need for an OTK isn't there anymore.

Angie

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kkards

Veteran

i like they're fine for the office, and i wear then with skinnies or leggings and a long tunic length shirt, sweater or topper

AJ

Veteran

Oh I like those! Do you know who makes them?

Runcarla

Veteran

The office where I worked was cold, and I had windows all around. Over the knee boots under dresses and skirts were the BEST for keeping warm. The style of boot you are considering is absolutely acceptable in an office setting.

Anonymous

Yes from me too!

Jane

Veteran

If it helps, I wear OTK boots daily in the office - where I work is quite conservative and they work well. The boots you are looking at look gorgeous.

Gail

Veteran

I think perfectly fine for the office. I have the Blondo Presta suede OTK boots , I had the Blonde Olivia leather also but passed to my daughter. They certainly help to keep me warm.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Thanks all for your confirmations! I'll remember that to be on the safe side would mean wearing with skinnies or longer length hemlines.
AJ, these are Tamaris, a German brand with which I've had good luck before.

notsaf

Veteran

I say yes, too! If you wear with above the knee skirts, just do opaque black tights for no contrast and I think you'll be absolutely fine.

April

Veteran

What Lisa P said.

I would not wear them to the office with leggings and tunics, which to my East Coast US eye is not office attire. I feel that their over-the-knee-ness should only be apparent when you're seated.

This may well be like exposing a large number of tattoos or piercings - totally dependent on where you live and where you work.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I first heard of these as a thing for regular people on Corporette, which is a fashion blog basically centered around professionals. I don't recall seeing them in Florida, probably because it's so warm, but here in Berlin they are common. Of course, I can't tell you where the women I see wearing them in the U-bahn are headed.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Thanks for chiming in notsaf, april, fashintern. Yes, office culture is an important factor. My office is very casual, but also not very fashion forward in general. Although casual, I feel most people dress pretty modest (me too) and I can't recall having seen otk boots there before.

April

Veteran

Liesbeth, I can say that in my part of the country, OTK boots still have a hint of clubwear about them. I believe we can thank the costumer for Julia Roberts' character in Pretty Woman.

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BlueJay

Veteran

I have a pair of over-the-knee boots almost identical to these, but in burgundy. I wear them to the office all the time! I wear them with skirts, dresses, and over slim ponte pants which coincidentally *exactly* match the boots and since they match, you almost can't tell that I'm wearing boots at all. I also like them *under* wide leg culottes and wide crops. Agreeing with others about limiting contrasts with the boots and other dresses or skirts, or pants, as then I think it wouldn't be office appropriate, or would raise a few eyebrows.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

April, LOL, that is the kind that first came to my mind when I read early fashion posts about them a few years ago. But not from that movie as much as from the streetwalkers outside the tram in the 90s. They wore them with thongs over spandex leggings and short ski jackets. These days I’d call that style “thigh highs”. I don’t know if they were copying the movie, or if the movie costumes were based in real life, but I’d bet it was the latter.