Knee high boots 2013

While rule is strong word, and rules are always made to be broken, there was a general pattern on the runway of how knee-high boots were being presented for fall 2012. If the weather allows it: with stockings, tights, or pants, wear ankle boots. With bare legs, wear knee-high boots. Bar for some exceptions (like Gucci and Givenchy, whose outfits of pants tucked knee-high boots were opulently Gothic), the key way to wear the style this year and into next year isn’t the traditional jodhpur equestrian look. Instead it’s about bare knees or bare upper thighs; a tough yet sensual marriage of masculine and feminine.

The mid-knee cut

The key style of knee high boot in fall 2012 is the cavalry boot. It’s not quite a thigh-high but it doesn’t stop below the knee, either.

Look for styles that are cut higher in the front, either with a separate panel rising up to cover part of the knee, or with a gentle curve from back to front.

Mid-knee boots from Alexander Wang F/W ’12 and Bally F/W ’12

Gaiters

A few designers changed up the mood of the knee high boot by adding volume around the bottom, between the toe and the ankle. The end result looks something akin to horse-riding half chaps, or gaiters. Traditionally a separate accessory, Givenchy had their gaiters stitched into the boot as part of its construction.

Gaiter-style boots at Aquilano Rimondi and Givenchy , F/W ’12

Equestrian

Giving the equestrian boot a sexier twist for fall, designers like Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger went for fitted, curved shapes with traditional zip and button closures – and the addition of a high heel. Forget the overly fetishist, 6 inch interpretations, though; these were pared back to a manageable and elegant level.

High heeled equestrian boots at Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger, F/W ’12

Lace-ups

The addition of a military strictness was tightly laced into a number of pairs of fall 2012 boots. Forgo the chunky platforms, and instead opt for a sturdy high heel and high quality leather.

Lace up boots at Andrew Gn and Bally F/W ’12

Cutaways

With not a dull runway moment for the knee high boot, it also appeared in cut-away versions. Herve Leger’s gladiator style boots showed plenty of calf, while Anthony Vaccerello’s did the opposite.

Cutaway boots at Anthony Vaccarello and Herve Leger

Texture

Fur, ponyhair, reptile leather… if in doubt as to how to pick a pair of knee high boots that stands out and makes a statement, look to highly textured pairs. McQueen’s buckled, metal-tipped and furry versions added volume to the right part of the legs and worked well with knees kept bare.

Fur boots at Givenchy and Alexander McQueen, F/W ’12

More knee high boot pictures

For more inspiration of how to make a statement with knee high boots come fall / winter, click on the gallery above and see how they were worn on the runways.

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