If you haven’t yet seen Shana’s New Style Rules for Fall, be sure to check it out. She has some awesome advice on how to update your closet for fall . . . with tips and ideas that are clear-cut and easy to follow. One of her rules is to “Wear Over-the-Knee Boots Like It’s No Big Thing.”
Over-the-knee boots are no longer the shocking, Pretty Woman inspired footwear they once were. The flat ones are downright practical – warm, comfortable to walk in, and so insanely chic. Throw them on over your workout leggings on your way to Barre class, slip them on with leggings and mini dresses all winter. Most will work with skinny jeans, too – even those pairs you’ve cropped, and are a much fresher option than tall boots.
I literally couldn’t volunteer fast enough to take on this post. I love boots! I’ll try them all! But doing this post actually changed my perspective quite a bit on how I shop. . . it’ll be interesting to see what you guys think.
Over-The-Knee Boots – Our Top Picks
Each boot below has been well tested, either by us at The Mom Edit, by our readers, or, in a few cases, 90+ glowing 5 star reviews on Zappos. Here’s our very favs:
TOP ROW
Stuart Weitzman 50/50, $655
Expensive, but these are THE over-the-knee boots. End of story. They’re truly, honestly comfortable, and the stretchy back panel fits many different leg sizes. Readers swear by this boot. (The black suede has been on Shana’s shopping list for a couple of years now. She’s just waiting for her existing Nine West OTK boots to wear out. Which brings me to my next point…..)
Nine West Tiberia, $189
Shana has an older version of these boots. She wears them all winter – so comfy, so warm, and despite alllll her best efforts, they haven’t worn out yet. There’s a bunch of pics on TME of Shana in these boots here, here or here (very last pic).
Blondo Eden Waterproof Boots, $285
This was one of our top selling boots on TME last year. Shana received email after email from readers raving about these boots. They’re comfortable, flattering, and insanely practical. (You can see these boots on one of Shana’s friends, Teri, in this article. Scroll to the bottom.)
BOTTOM ROW
Frye Shirley Over-The-Knee Boots, $498
None of the TME staff have tried these boots on, but we have a long collective history with Frye in general. (Hint: We heart Frye, big time.) And when the 97 glowing, 5-start reviews use words like “gorgeous, buttery leather” and “super comfy”….we’re not surprised. (Also available at Nordstrom.)
Dolce Vita Ohanna Over-The-Knee Boot, $280
The wood heel of these boots hit that perfect point of high, but not too high, and adds a cool vintage vibe. These boots come in gray (as shown) or tan. Both are stunning, and, according to reviewers, very comfortable as well.
Charles by Charles David Edie Boots, $199
The color is beyond gorgeous, the quality is so good, and the modest wedge heel makes them seriously comfortable. I adore these boots. I’d wear this oxblood color like it’s a neutral: WITH EVERYTHING. Instant outfit upgrade.
Blanket Coat by Steve Madden | Charles by Charles David Edie Boots
Over-The-Knee Boots – A Comparison
A pair of OTK boots were high on my fall shopping list. So, after a ton of research, I ordered a bunch to try on. I’m always one who gravitates towards the less expensive version of things. Shana would buy a sweater for $300 if she knew she’d get lots of wear out of it. I’d rather buy 6 sweaters for $50 each and have a variety to choose from. Generally speaking, neither of us is right or wrong, per se . . . but her clothes are probably much better quality. But here’s the thing . . . with shoes, boots, footwear of any kind . . . quality really, truly matters. Spending a little more means more comfort, durability and use in the long run. That couldn’t have been clearer with the boots I chose to try. In the future I’m going to focus on quality over quantity. (At least with footwear!) Here’s what I tried:
1. Steve Madden Rannsome Riding Boot
I love a good heel, but they need to be comfortable. The hidden platform makes these more comfortable and the stretchy material on the back of them keeps them from falling down. The only downside is that they’re difficult to take off . . . as in I need Zack to physically pull them off me. I wish there was a zipper. For some I’m sure this is a major deal-breaker.
2. N.Y.L.A. “Ashira” Boot
Hmm. These were just . . . cheap? Yes, they were definitely chosen (by me) because they were less than $90. See how it looks like I’m holding my ankle funny? I’m not . . . those are just the boots. Not to mention the fact that I’m normally a 7.5-8 and the 8’s were too small. I thought these were too good to be true when I saw them on Nordstrom’s website, and they turned out to be just that.
3. Charles by Charles David “Edie”
So Shana taught me a shopping lesson YEARS ago . . . she said if you ABSOLUTELY LOVE something, buy it, take it home and see if it works in your closet. Sometimes you’ll find that something you’ve been drooling over just doesn’t work with what you have . . . other times, it’ll be perfect and totally worth the money. In this case, one look at these boots and I was in LOVE. I ordered them ONLY to try them on and to include them in this article . . . I didn’t want to spend over $150 for a pair of over the knee boots. Once I compared them to all of the other (cheap less expensive) pairs, however, I realized these were far and away worth the extra money. The quality is sooo much better than any of the other boots I tried.
4. Calvin Klein Jeans “Bisma”
If you can never find over-the-knee boots that will stay up, this is the pair for you. They’re tighter towards the top so they won’t slouch or fall but they’re made of stretchy material so they’re still comfy. (They come in suede or leather so you can choose the finish you’d like.) I couldn’t handle the tightness at the top . . . it’s not that they were uncomfortable, but I felt like my legs had a mini “muffin top” above the boots. They’d probably look better with tights but then I don’t need a specific pair of over-the-knee boots I can only wear with tights . . .
5. Steve Madden Suede Over-the-Knee Boots
I featured these with my favorite tunic top a few weeks back. Since I already had a pair of flat over-the-knee boots that I liked (and were comfy!) my choices above were all heeled. However. You know when something gets put into your head and then you just can’t get it out? And it ruins something you thought you liked? (Red Converse, Shana?) Yeah, so two words: Argh, matey . . . Now every time I put those suckers on I feel like I’m dressing up as a pirate. Dammit. Do I return them?? My sister, husband and mother all believe I should . . . (Does anyone know how to prevent these from falling down??)
That’s it! Do you guys have any OTK boots you swear by? Which ones have we missed?
XOXO,
Scotti
Here are some shopping widget with our favs, as well as a few more options that look worth a try:
Flat Over-The-Knee Boots
Heeled Over-The-Knee Boots




I love these! Do you have any suggestions for a wide calf (17″) version?
I just realized that Nordstrom must have mislabeled the one for wide calves . . . someone commented they were small and they’re now listed as “narrow calves.” Whoops! So . . . this pair http://rstyle.me/~6x6h6 are adjustable to fit wide calves and they look like the 5050 (for much less) and this pair http://rstyle.me/~6x6lc comes in a gorgeous camel color. If you’re into more of a heel I love this pair: http://rstyle.me/~6x6lc
Love the boots but can we talk about the green sweater/thermal you’re wearing!?!?!?
Yes where’s your green sweater from?
Thanks guys! I actually love that big comfy sweater . . . and it’s on sale now for under $30 . . . http://rstyle.me/~6x6sy
Yes thank you, I’m so glad someone asked this!
Your post could not have been more timely; I was just scouring The Mom Edit for reviews on OTK boots yesterday. I’m more of a black or brown boot kind of gal, and I was wondering what color would get the most use? I see a ton of black OTK boots, but I’ve found that historically, I wear my brown riding boots more than my black ones. But finding the “perfect color brown leather” is way more tricky than standard black leather/suede. Thank you!
What about a taupe-y color? I know what you mean about finding the perfect color . . . I have a pair of Born boots from years ago that are the perfect cognac/camel color and I haven’t been able to replicate them! I think the color of the Dolce Vita ones would be a great compromise between black and brown . . . I’m seriously lusting over those right about now!
Not just the green thermal is great, what about that jacket!!!! Holy cow is it gorgeous! Please add links to that as well. It looks like you got the oxblood boots to match it, the colors are that awesome. Also yes great boots! I have a $5 pair from Forever 21 that I dipped my toe into the trend on a few years back and was thinking about upgrading to a real pair! Trying to decide between that and a pair of boots with fuzzy insides…
Thank you!! I found that coat during the Anniversary Sale . . . so glad I picked it up! 🙂 http://rstyle.me/~6azRj And I did the same thing as you with the over the knee boots a few years ago . . . I went on eBay and bought the cheapest pair I could find to “dip my toe” into the trend as well. I only wore them a few times (quality was crap), but I’m glad I found a “real” pair I like now!
I’m surprised the Stuart Weitzman Lowlands were not mentioned. I’ve seen better photos of them then the ones on Nordstrom’s site. The contouring of these is second to none, and if I had the legs for them, they would be mine. Swoon.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/stuart-weitzman-lowland-over-the-knee-boot-women/3757141
I loved the boots until I saw the back stripe of color. It throws me off a little.
I’m 5’11” and the trouble I have with OTK boots is that they tend to be barely to the knee boots on me. The tallest I found hits me mid-knee. Do you have any suggestions for tall gals?
I appreciate this thorough and thoughtful post. I love a good trend and enjoy jumping on board when it works. This is one trend I just can’t get with. I bought a couple of pairs a few years ago when I started seeing them on Who What Where. I rarely (never) pull them out of the closet though. In my respectful opinion, OTK boots are very unflattering. unless you have extremely long and thin legs, they make legs look short and thighs thick. I just don’t understand it. i love this blog though and hope not to come off too negative here!
This is the most helpful review, thank you!