The season’s trendiest boots have some women walking tall. Or maybe the over-the-knee lengths just make it seem that way.
“Over-the-knee is the biggest trend in boots for fall, but it’s mostly for women under 40,” said Suzanne West, owner of Frankie & Julian’s, a fashion boutique on Frazier Avenue. But some women over 40 can pull it off, she said.
Chattanooga resident Virginia Spangler Polley, 56, said she’d never wear the boots because she wouldn’t want them to call attention to her thighs.
“I don’t think the Puss-in-Boots look is age-appropriate for us (baby boomers) but is a cute look for a young woman with good thighs, with a miniskirt or tunic, but you must wear opaque tights,” Polley said.
West agreed that the boots look best when paired with a short dress or skirt, or worn with leggings and a long shirt or tunic.
“Obviously, you can’t wear over-the-knee boots with just any outfit,” she said. “The boot would not be appropriate under slacks or worn with a knee-length or longer dress. It would defeat the purpose of wearing an over-the-knee boot.”
Brittany Shaw, 24, said she thinks the new lengths will be an easy way to update an outfit.
“I am definitely a fan of both the ankle boot and the over-the-knee boot,” she said. “I already have my eye on a pair of orchid over-the-knee boots at Bakers.”
Over-the-knee styles are also good for women who have trouble finding boots that fit over their calves, West said. They are made wider, she said, “because they have to give when the knee bends.”
Boots, in general, are the No. 1 trend in footwear this season, said Maggie Dosch, Dillard’s assistant manager.
“Boots are so versatile because you can wear them with any outfit,” she said. “Whether it’s a cowboy boot or an ankle boot, you can wear them with pants, leggings or a dress. The last two seasons, ankle boots were particularly interesting because women were afraid to wear them with dresses. Now it’s the thing to do.”
If the economy prohibits you from updating last year’s wardrobe, West said seasons-old boots are still fashionable.
“That’s the great thing about boots, especially ones that are neutral, like blacks, browns, tans – they never go out of style.”
WHAT’S HOT
Over-the-knee boots seem to be drawing the most attention, but Frankie & Julian’s owner Suzanne West and Dillard’s assistant manager Maggie Dosh said several other styles are popular this fall.
* Wedge heels: “One of our most popular boots is a knit ankle boot featuring a roll-down top,” West said. “The boot has a tall wedge heel that definitely dresses up a look. Women of all ages can wear this boot.”
* Trusty Uggs: “Uggs are like riding boots – they’ve never gone out of style,” West said. “Uggs are still in magazines and are selling like crazy. They’re not at the top of the trend list, but they’re still the ideal boot, because of comfort, to wear to the gym or the grocery store.”
* Military influences: Look for military-influenced boots that have been updated with stones and studding, Dosch said.