Stylish Thoughts on… Thigh’s the Limit
1 Apr
Last summer I brought a pair of black leather Pleaser thigh high boots on impulse. (A pretty big impulse) I wore them once at night with a pair of leggings and well, needless to say, I felt like THE lady of the evening. And while the boots were well received (my friends are accustomed to my fashion sense) I wondered how and where could a real woman wear thigh high boots without looking like she’s asking for “it”.
Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Stella McCartney, Hussein Chalayan
This past fashion season must have read my mind because the Fall 2009 runways showed an invasion of the Thigh Highs with everyone from Marc Jacobs, Giles Deacon, Stella McCartney and Rodarte showing variations of the thigh high boot. My wheels were spinning. With all these streetwalking boots on the runway, I had to ask the question that’s on everyone’s mind, how in the hell can one wear Thigh High boots without looking like a streetwalker?
This isn’t the first appearance of Thigh high boots in fashion or media. Recall the Rick James “Street Songs” album cover where the Super Freak rocked a pair of red patent leather boots. It was the 80’s for Pete’s sake, so Rick’s choice of footwear didn’t ruffle any feathers. But when Julia Roberts donned a pair of black leathers as Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman, well the thigh finally became the proverbial limit.
A. Peter Jensen Thigh High boots B. Jeffrey Campbell Micro Fiber Thigh Boots C. Bronx Thigh High Boots D. Camilla Skovsgaard Flat Thigh High Boots
Today celebs like Kate Moss, Lindsey and Hayden P. have all worn thigh high boots (with denim of course) but what celebs wear and what “real” people wear can be a great divide. While Kate Moss can wear them and be the toast of the town, most women will just look like they’re “out on the town” or soliciting dominatrix work. So is it even possible for a woman (one who’s not a fashion editor or rail thin) to wear thigh highs with class and style?
Thigh boots are a bad ass boot and it takes an equally bad ass woman to pull it off with some semblance of style. While I have yet to find the perfect pairing for my thigh highs, I suspect that the kind of woman that buys a pair isn’t too worried about how she’s going look or how people will perceive her. Thigh highs are for the ballsy chick, not afraid to show a silver of thigh or look like an extra in a Prince video. Thigh highs are not for all women (what trend is anyway?) and if you happen to be that daring woman strut on by, while us timid girls look in amazement, but for all intensive purposes don’t wear them at night or to a Pretty Woman viewing party.
What are your thoughts on Thigh High Boots? Are they street-chic or “streetwear”?
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Strangely enough, I’ve had several gay male friends tell me, after “The Devil Wears Prada” came out, that the could totally see me in the thigh high Gucci boots (which I watched for, but somehow missed). I found it strangely flattering that a (gay) male could see me as the type to wear them (because I’m certain most straight males love to see women in them).
As for street chic or street wear, I think it’s all a matter of A) materials (are they patent, cheap looking, extra high heel) B)Dress C) Attitude. Any one of the above “wrong” can make it fall in to street wear without meaning to, but all of the above in the right doses could make anything go from street wear to street chic…
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i am all for thigh high boots. and i am SO digging yours. my rule of thumb when wearing them is to be as covered up as possible – show as little skin as you can. i think they look trashy when you have exposed limbs. and they oddly elongate legs, which is a huge plus.
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My goal is to look like an extra in a Prince video EVERY DAY, so I’m all about the thigh high boots. However, I agree with Ashe and Nina that they need to be decent quality and should be worn with more covered-up looks.
I’m mad that you brought out the Rick James album…”Cocaine is a helluva drug…”
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@ Ashe: I think it is all about the attitude and material… cheap patent leather boots are sure fire way to hooker-ville.
@Nina: Keeping the rest of the outfit relatively calm will keep it from looking too trashy
@Tamia: Lol… one of my favorite Chapelle skits. Looking like a Prince extra is something I strive for as well.
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I do like the thigh high boots trend! I recently bought a pair and are waiting for them to arrive and in the meantime, am thinking of how to wear them.
They can be very stylish when worn right as some celebrities do. I’m normally not afraid of what people think and love to dress up in daring stuff. Hey, it’s fashion right?
P.S. By the way, I love your boots! Gorgeous.
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As an online retailer and male expert of thigh high boots, I echo everybody elses sentiments above that they certainly should be a black matt material and not a shiny material.
I have noticed sales for thigh high boots (well the sensible heeled ones anyway) have been mainly for fashion reasons and not just purely for the bedroom like in the past.
Although as it may have already been mentioned, there is still a stigma at times attached to them, no matter how you wear them. Unfortunately, Julia Roberts didn’t do anything for the reputation of thigh high boots, in fact she has probably put the style back a few years.
The trend for thigh high boots has been pushed by a few designers over the last 3-4 years and each time they have not really made it past the catwalks of Milan, London and Paris, but maybe this time they will.
No matter what you say, it is true that most men do like a woman in a pair of thigh boots, the utlimate in sexiness, but maybe I am biased.
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I am glad to see these boots out in full force for the fall. But I would tend to agree with the original comment from Ashe the wrong material makes them trashy but its all in the attitude. I have a pair of rocker hi-thighs I wear with bulky sweater during cold fall days and slinky tunic style dresses for a night on the town. They are warm and comfy I got them years ago as a birthday present from my ex. Come to think of it they were probably his gift to himself
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Ms. Thought Reply:
September 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
@ Tanner: Thigh highs and chunky sweaters are a match made in heaven! They exude fall and warmth! Haha, I bet they were a gift for himself and that’s why he’s an ex!
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