Aiming High, or Knee-High Suede Boots

Knee-high boots are a model adored by fashion designers. Warm, enveloping, and leg-slimming, these boots are perfect for cooler days. The craze for boots has also reached Californian celebrities, who glance enviously at the cooler, autumn days in Europe.

Let's take a step back...

...to a time when knee-high boots were primarily worn by fishermen. High, often synthetic, or rubber boots above the knee were designed to protect the feet (and legs) from water. To this day, such footwear is used by fishing enthusiasts who wade in the water up to their knees for their catch.

Rihanna presented the inspiration of fisherman's boots, designing her jean boot-pants, test-driven by Jennifer Lopez in the music video "Ain't your mamma".

But getting back on the right track of history… In fact, high-shaft boots appeared on women's legs only in the mid-1950s. Previously, it was not appropriate for women to wear boots with such a high shaft.

The higher the hill, the closer to heaven!

A shaft raised above the knee may not have a particularly good reputation, especially among those who remember the iconic look of Julia Roberts in the film Pretty Woman. High knee-high boots, particularly made of light-absorbing suede or velvet, set on a high heel, combined with oversized forms, give the silhouette a noble and distinguished look. Balmain, on the other hand, complemented his ultra-feminine, spherical dress forms, covering the neckline and arms, with boot shafts reaching over half the thigh, leaving a subtle and sensual few centimeters gap between the dress's end and the boot's start. Seductive lingerie dresses, made of delicate silk and lace, contrast with heavy boots in the form of matte, yet soft suede boots with high shafts. The romance of heavy boots is particularly given by sky-high, thin heels that sculpt the female figure.

In turn, Diane von Furstenberg in her designs hides the line connecting the skirt and the shaft, giving her creations a touch of vintage style. Lacoste used a similar technique, with knee-high boots taking the form of loose and not perfectly fitted to the calf, in a variety of colors.

Flat, knee-high, and endless laces

The military style and references to the military uniform can also be seen in footwear on flat heels. Knee-high officer boots are a tribute from designers to women who value comfort. Such a proposal was presented by Saint Laurent Paris. For the more daring - Steve Madden and Marc Jacobs in their avant-garde gothic style offer ultra-sensual boots tied along the entire length of the shaft.