Who wears over-the-knee boots? - YouLookFab Forum

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Who wears over-the-knee boots?

viva

Veteran

I am still lusting for SW 5050s, but I really hesitate with the OTK thing. Lisap expressed her interest in this style in another post today, and she's got my wheels turning again.

Okay, fabbers, who has OTK boots? How do you wear them? Is there a way to wear them when you are over 50? Without a pirate association? And still look somewhat sophisticated?

Please help me figure this out.

Stuart Weitzman '5050' Over the Knee Leather Boot

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Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from Minnie

rachylou

Veteran

I have OTKs that I got at the end of last winter but to be honest they slip down after awhile and I haven't solved the problem yet...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I did wear OTK boots. I had those exact boots for years - in leather - and loved them. Wore them into the ground. SOOOOO COMFY. Passed them on this year - they were finished. And the black was too hard edge for my evolving softer style anyway - so good timing. I would wear OTK boots again in cream or tan. Prettier, which suits my new style moniker "Urban Pretty".

I see no problem with age and this style of OTK boot.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I had the 5050's too -- and I liked them, but my problems with them were my own fault: 1) I bought them a half size too big -- this would normally be easily enough remedied with thick socks, but the problem really showed itself most in a lot of wrinkling around the ankle and upper part of my foot. 2) despite running, biking, etc, I carry fat on and just above my knees. These boots are *barely* OTK on my long legs, and they end right in a spot that isn't really flattering on my legs. I found the black convertible Ugg boots much more wearable for me. So I sold the 5050's. I think they can look totally fab and sophisticated, as Angie demonstrates.

Diana

Veteran

I love mine (the gold zipper boots) and will continue to wear them. I mostly wear mine with skinnies or leggings.

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Anonymous

Check out Keep it Chic - Preston Davis's blog. She's all about the running around the Upper East Side dropping-your-kids-at-school look - which of course I am currently obsessed with. A pea coat, leggings or skinnies, and big fantastic sweater, a gorgeous leather bag? Need I go on? You would totally ROCK this look.

I am definitely getting a new pair - maybe in brown if I can find them, plus a navy pea coat.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am intrigued too and here is why. Knee high boots are super hard to fit on me because they're always too tall. This style might be a bit more forgiving because it is meant to be tall. I envision them in a soft grey suede.

Elly

Veteran

I think there is a riding-inspired element to some OTK boots that can be done in a very classy way.

K. Period.

Veteran

After a couple years of being done with tall boots, I just bought a pair of tan suede OTK ones with block heels. I figure they will come in handy for a little boho 70s vibe. I've seen them paired with column dresses for summer and really love the look. I'm planning on busting mine out and wearing them that way in a few weeks when the nights are cooler. I think the real challenge is getting used to the idea that what you see looking down on them when wearing them (pirate!) isn't what everyone else sees.

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viva

Veteran

I love these looks from Diana and Angie, and yes, Lisap: I could live in that kind of uniform all fall. So, I am convinced.

Oh, Suz: I would love them in suede -- brown suede, actually: to die for. But is that practical enough? At this price, I would need to be able to wear them A LOT.

And can you wear OTK boots with dresses? What about the Vince and HH dresses from NAS? with tights? Bare legs?

gryffin

Veteran

I love my otk boots. I have the sw hammer boots from nas maybe 3-4 yr ago. Love them. Wear them with leggings, skirted leggings, dresses and long toppers/Blazers. I like the 1" heel, comfy and no pretty woman thing. They will be back in rotation starting mid september

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

OTK boots are best with SHORT hemlines. That look gets tricky. You need to be able to see where the top of the boot ends on your thigh for proportions to look good.

I am having tall boots made this year for my 13 inch calf. Ted & Muffy (ex duo boots) and Poppy Barley offer good solutions for tailor made boots. I'm saving up and going for it. Here are some OTK boot options from those retailers. I am however, going for a classic pair of hunting boots. (It's the equestrian in me).

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Anonymous

I was thinking about this while getting my hair coloured (lol) and the idea of wearing them with dresses makes it even more interesting to me. With a floral print dress, the boots can give it a bit of a boho vibe, and with the Vince style of dress, a rich, interesting look. Man, am I talking myself into them or what?

viva

Veteran

Back to being unsure. I need boots to work with dresses, and not short ones. I think I need knee-high. But I'm going to look more at that brand Angie posted -- they are less than the SWs! Thanks Angie!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Viv, I'm looking into having these made. Cognac and ink. Both modern classic equestrian (look at the names of the styles!). Sleek, high-longevity factor, fresh and chic to my eye. That's where I am putting my bucks this season.

The Foxhunt Boot Cognac

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Anonymous

Seems like it would add a whole other element to winter dressing. Might make skirts possible in deep winter?
Maybe I could roll up the waist of the tube skirt to make it a mini to wear with these? Or even a black jean mini?
There ARE a lot of possibilities here!

Anonymous

Gasp. Those are beautiful Angie.

Diana

Veteran

Angie is right. I don't like mine with longer skirts, only short ones where you can see some leg above the boot. It's not as daunting as it seems because most of the OTK boots I see these days, including mine, don't actually end that far above the knee. I like mine with a short dress or tunic (maybe mid thigh length in front, could be high low) and leggings. Here's one with a tunic.

It would work with a butt vest too, I think!

ETA: if you look at the burgundy coat in the photo I posted up above, that coat is a little longer than mid-thigh on me. I think a dress of that length would be fine.

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Deborah

Veteran

I have black suede OTK boots and love them! I have been wearing them this winter. I. Love them with short (not too short) dresses:)

abc

Veteran

Viv, I can see you wearing these type of boots. Indulge and let us ooh and aah over them. Oops enabler.

Lisa I want to go check that blog now. I am sure I will want to emulate those looks. Oh how I wish I looked like that doing my kid school dropoffs and pickups.

Suz I can see you rocking those boots too.

And gah Angie your selections are to die for. The cognac ones you linked to are made in Leon Mexico....I may need to make a road trip to find myself some beauties.

Anonymous

Diana, great outfit!

Brooklyn

Veteran

I bought some about 4 weeks ago in a very similar style to the style you are considering - flat, black and just over the knee. I needed some new tall black boots (really!) and decided to try the OTKs for a change. I almost posted asking the same question! I have worn mine so far with dresses that end just above the boots. I also plan to wear them with 2 asymmetrical hemline dresses (one side of the dress lands above the boot and the other below). I do feel like I need leggings or tights to cover the gap. I have also tried them out with (but not yet worn them with) skinny black pants. I like this look with longish loose layers on top. I am confident I will wear them that way. I am not sure whether I will wear them with jeans. I still prefer booties with jeans. They are very comfy and a bit of a change from knee highs. But to be honest I still feel like I want some knee highs too for longer skirts.

kerlyn

Veteran

What's wrong with looking like a pirate?;)

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have I think what was the same Stewart Weitzman's as Angie had in black. They were the precursor to the 5050 with all leather and only an elastic gusset at the top of the posterior aspect. Mine are still going fine. I also have black suede cheap ones (Chinese Laundry), but they don't stay up as well, and have a tendency to slouch a bit. But good for a different vibe.

I want another different pair, but most I've seen only have 13-14" calves, which won't work for me. Eg the Stewart Weitzman Lowland in tan or olive.
K. Period, What are those tan suede ones? That's what I've been looking for.

Joy

Veteran

I have s pair of soft suede taupe over-the-knee Charles and David boots that did not get worn at all last winter, mostly because we were in Colorado for months and I had not brought those boots. I have usually worn them as knee highs with the part that goes over the knee tucked down inside. That also helps fill up the gap between the boot and my leg. I am considering having them shortened. I feel self conscious wearing them over the knee and don't want to wear skirts that short.

Meow

Veteran

After reading this, I now want OTK boots! With a shortish dress and tights - omg - they would really give that "cool girl" vibe! I prefer them paired with the same color in tights or dress - to just give that subtle confident look. Alas, I'm like Angie with 13 inch (ish) calves so I'd have to custom order .....and let's be real - who would appreciate my OTK boots in Albertsons! Oh but they would look soooo cool at my Gallery showing (haha - right) !

K. Period.

Veteran

Anna, they are Pour La Victoire. The style is called Talia and the color is Toffee I bought mine from Amazon. They run at least a half size big. I went down a half size and have room for socks but can still wear them with bare legs. They are very fitted on my big calves, but they loosen up when I have them on. Also, the toffee color is a rust that reads as a dark nude-ish rust on our coloring, not bright orange like the monitor shows. Toffee in person looks more like the Cigar colorway. And the Cigar colorway is definitely a mid brown, not a silvery taupe.

Cigar is featured in the 6pm video. It accurately shows the cigar color, I think. They say the calf is 15".

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Me! I bought a heeled pair two years ago, and the same ones but flat, last year. They pretty much orphaned my other boots... mine are by a Canadian company and are completely weather proof, so they were amazing for last year and the gazillions of feet of snow we had. Wore with dresses, and skinnies.

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Cococat

Veteran

I have a pair and I wear mine with a dress or coat short enough to have a gap between the hem and the top of the boot and tights. I'm over 50.

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viva

Veteran

I'm so excited to learn there are so many OTK boot-wearers here. Thank you for all the information, pictures, and advice.

CocoC: That picture is KILLING me. Super fantastic. Truly. What brand are those boots? And suede? Does weather interfere with the wearing? AAAAHHH.

Angie: The Hunter boots are amazing. On my possibility list now.

Kerlyn: Nothing wrong with looking like a pirate, matey!

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