Casual or dressy, flat or heeled, a pair of tall boots is one of the most versatile footwear items you can have in your wardrobe.
By tall boots, I'm mostly referring to those that are about knee high, but most of the following tips will apply to styles that fall between a few inches below your knees to a few inches above your knees.
While many boot styles will work with the outfits I've listed below, simple, classic styles are far more flexible. Those western-flavored Frye's may rock with those skinny jeans you just picked up, but a simple black knee-high boot will work with those jeans, as well as just about everything else in your closet.
Here are a few of my favorite things to wear with tall boots.
Long Skirts
A skirt that is long enough to cover the top of your boots is one of the most flattering items you can pair with tall boots. While many women tend to think only of fuller skirts for pairing with knee high boots, narrow skirts can look fabulous with tall boots as well.
Short Skirts
One of my favorite ways to wear tall boots is to pair them with shorter skirts, ranging from minis to knee-length styles.
For added warmth, and because my legs are crazy pale, I prefer to wear fun tights, stockings with a bit of sheen, or opaque hose with this combination. But if you've got the legs for it, and aren't afraid of getting cold, there's no reason you can't go the bare leg route.
Skinny Jeans
One of the only things I regret about the fact that skinny jeans look so horrible on me is that they're really the only type of jeans that are good for tucking into tall boots. But if you love cigarette jeans, you're in the enviable position of being able to tuck them into everything from dressy heeled boots to casual flat styles.
Gauchos
The absolute best footwear for below the knee gauchos is a pair of tall boots -- but beware of wearing this style of wide cropped pants with boots that are too casual or trendy. Skip the fluff and heavy hardware, and opt instead for a simple heeled dress boot, or a flat boot that has a bit of polish to it, lest the whole outfit becomes too sloppy.
Dresses
It's nearly automatic to think of pairing boots with skirts, but for some reason, many women don't think to wear them with dresses. They should though, because the look is dynamite.
I'm not talking about frilly, puffy, party dresses, nor am I referring to formal wear -- although I have seen the latter combination rocked a couple of times. The dresses I'm talking about are your standard, everyday sort of dresses: wraps, sweater dresses, shifts, minis, tunics, a-lines and empire dresses.
Again, this look is best with simple, classic tall boots, and is not meant for overly-casual or super-trendy styles.
More Shoes Quick Tips
By tall boots, I'm mostly referring to those that are about knee high, but most of the following tips will apply to styles that fall between a few inches below your knees to a few inches above your knees.
While many boot styles will work with the outfits I've listed below, simple, classic styles are far more flexible. Those western-flavored Frye's may rock with those skinny jeans you just picked up, but a simple black knee-high boot will work with those jeans, as well as just about everything else in your closet.
Here are a few of my favorite things to wear with tall boots.
Long Skirts
A skirt that is long enough to cover the top of your boots is one of the most flattering items you can pair with tall boots. While many women tend to think only of fuller skirts for pairing with knee high boots, narrow skirts can look fabulous with tall boots as well.
Short Skirts
One of my favorite ways to wear tall boots is to pair them with shorter skirts, ranging from minis to knee-length styles.
For added warmth, and because my legs are crazy pale, I prefer to wear fun tights, stockings with a bit of sheen, or opaque hose with this combination. But if you've got the legs for it, and aren't afraid of getting cold, there's no reason you can't go the bare leg route.
Skinny Jeans
One of the only things I regret about the fact that skinny jeans look so horrible on me is that they're really the only type of jeans that are good for tucking into tall boots. But if you love cigarette jeans, you're in the enviable position of being able to tuck them into everything from dressy heeled boots to casual flat styles.
Gauchos
The absolute best footwear for below the knee gauchos is a pair of tall boots -- but beware of wearing this style of wide cropped pants with boots that are too casual or trendy. Skip the fluff and heavy hardware, and opt instead for a simple heeled dress boot, or a flat boot that has a bit of polish to it, lest the whole outfit becomes too sloppy.
Dresses
It's nearly automatic to think of pairing boots with skirts, but for some reason, many women don't think to wear them with dresses. They should though, because the look is dynamite.
I'm not talking about frilly, puffy, party dresses, nor am I referring to formal wear -- although I have seen the latter combination rocked a couple of times. The dresses I'm talking about are your standard, everyday sort of dresses: wraps, sweater dresses, shifts, minis, tunics, a-lines and empire dresses.
Again, this look is best with simple, classic tall boots, and is not meant for overly-casual or super-trendy styles.
Outfits to Avoid with Tall Boots
- Baggy or Pleated Jeans and Pants
Not that they're flattering anyway, but tucking these styles into tall boots creates the dreaded "ballooning" effect that will destroy most women's self esteem. If you're blessed with a long, lean body, feel free to tuck in those cargo pants to your heart's content, otherwise, steer wide and clear of this combination. - Shorts
I know, we've all seen celebrities doing it, but I guess wearing shorts with tall boots is just one of the many perks of being a star. For the rest of us though, this look usually isn't a good one.
