Over the Knee Boots
There is no such thing as going too far, as over-the-knee boots reach extremities!
As hemlines rise, so too does the boot for S/S 23. Perfect examples were made lust-worthy for visually attractive leg-lengthening properties and compelling colour coordinates for head-to-toe monochromatic dressing. MSGM drew focus with pastel pink items, completing the outfit of a sassy baby pink short-skirted dress. Using surplus materials will provide an excellent option to help reduce waste; at Sportmax, mid-thigh boots were showcased in coordinating print and slipper satin, displaying, at the same time, the season’s embrace of built-up platforms.
At MM6, Maison Margiela teamed up with the brand Salomon, hybridizing sports elements into a skin-tight boot. Off-White also nodded to the sports effect with a take on the motorsport, equipped with contrasting knee pads and industrial piped heels. Over at David Koma, his street-savvy mermaids donned electric green metallic boots that reached way up in sharp angles. The coup d’etat of all thigh-high boots, Rick Owens sent out a wondrous display of futuristic stacked platforms, from which came a clever combination of supple leather and vibrant colour.
Knee High Boots
Next summer’s silhouette of pointy-toed, knee-high boots is a perennial sexy commodity
Streetstyle trends often are the ones that give an inkling to trends for the coming season, so since knee-high boots have been trending this summer, no surprise that these sexy commodities appeared on the Runway in several collections. Y2K has been another moment in time that keeps on inspiring collections. S/S 23 offers up some stealthy wardrobe heroes. Bally, a brand that brings to mind good reliable classics, sent out metallic versions in pink and gold and the season’s snakeskin pattern – an excellent addition for day-to-evening dressing.
At Givenchy, Matthew Williams paired his pointy lace-up knee-highs with some of the sheerest slips dresses and micro-tailored shorts – a look that will turn up in street style before the season is here! There is more than the pointed-toe variety and harking back to comfort, Jil Sander’s version of rounded rubber-soled items was a perfect complement to the collection’s whimsical dresses. At Prabal Gurung, he presented a versatile hybrid of an all-weather boot – adorned with diamante clasps – just the ticket for unpredictable weather.
Mid Calf Boot
Don’t be left out in the wild; ride tall in western styles with a utilitarian edge
Mid-calf boots have been on-trend for several seasons and remain must-haves for the S/S 23 season. From Chuck styles to built-up flatforms, these ‘kick-ass’ timeless items are must-haves for any wardrobe. Western styling appeared at Molly Goddard in contrasting colours and a heel just high enough to be comfortable. Workwear and comfort were high on the agenda at Jil Sander, with ankle boots sporting a sport sole with utilitarian buckle details.
The soles are much chunkier than in previous seasons but are the perfect pairing for minimalist or feminine outfits; the Oxford-styled lace-ups at Sacai are an ideal example. And on the subject of femininity, there is nothing sexier than a pair of thin heels as high as possible. Balmain’s ultra-feminine boots came in a ‘Botticelli’ cherub print and laced from the tip of the pointed toe to the high ankle. Loewe’s square-toed soft leather pieces are not to be missed, let alone JW Anderson’s palm-printed ‘Hollywood walk of Fame’ iterations. Andreas Kronthaler at Vivienne Westwood produced several ideas based on the high heel mid calf, from embellished to a mid-western slouch – confirming that the ankle boot, no matter the heel or sole, is here to ‘sexify’ ankles for some time to come.
