InSight Abroad 2

Style Notes: Over-the-Knee Boots


Europeans are stepping up the sex appeal and inching their way into the American magazine market for this winter’s attention grabbing, ‘must have’ boots. From coarse lizard skin to soft leather and comfy suede, over-the-knee boots are essential for any woman’s closet.
Pacing down the ‘Oh so chic’ Via del Corso, Rome’s main shopping drag, you can’t help but drool over the eclectic mix of footwear that the Italian women are going crazy for! Perfect for daytime meandering or nighttime posh club hopping, the Italian boot trend is highly stylish and definitely recommended.
An adjustment from last winter, this season’s boots are flirtier than the mid-shin length of last year. Cutting off right above the knee or in the mid-thigh region, the thigh-high boots of this year up the ante and test your willingness to get a little sexy. These boots are perfect for accentuating and lengthening your legs as well as ideal for nightlife by adding them to fun, flouncy skirts and dresses. Or, you can push the edge and dare to achieve the ‘grunge look’ with dark wash skinny jeans accompanied by an oversized cotton tee and chunky jewelry.
Thigh high boots are not only highly practical for long moped rides and gracefully jumping over puddles of rain water sitting between the cobble stones, but they are very versatile- a necessity when attempting to achieve the ‘European look’. Italian women are always on the go, yet they love to stay feminine and pulled together while at work, running around the city and meeting friends at upscale restaurants. Living on the go while maintaining tall style expectations, Italian women sport boots as a highly fashionable staple piece.
Tights are also a ‘must have’ when looking fabulous in Rome. Patterned, opaque and see-through leggings are seen on every block and in every shade. Over-the-knee boots are ideal for showing off your cute, new tights while giving just the right dose of modestly and edge. You will most definitely have a leg up when it comes to Italian fashion while ‘workin’ it’ in your thigh high boots.
From upscale, ritzy designers, like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Ferragamo, to more ‘wallet friendly’ stores, like Zara and United Colors of Bennetton, a girl on the hunt for some super-high boots will never be out of luck here in Rome. For those of you back in the States, there is hope! Stores like H&M, Aldo and Macy’s are catching on to the hype buzzing in Italy. Shipments of thigh high boots are beginning to hit the racks, so go treat your soles to a tall delight.
Whether pacing the slick, uneven cobblestones lining Rome or lingering down the Avenue on a frigid winter’s day, over-the-knee boots will keep you looking fierce, fashionable and so, very Italian!

Until next trend.
Ciao, ciao.