WELCOME TO THE THIGH-HIGH CLUB
At underground fetish clubs and on luxury runways, thigh-high boots always turn heads. Selections from The Row, Rick Owens, and LEMAIRE prove that there’s even more to thigh-high boots than you thought.
Thigh-high boots have always had the power to turn heads. Inextricably linked to the world of fetish, leather thigh high boots represent an almost taboo side of modern style, but that makes them all the more fun to explore.
With labels like Rick Owens, LEMAIRE, The Row, Bottega Veneta, and more weighing in on the category, it’s a great time for thigh high boots. What was once risqué and underground is now the toast of the luxury world, which means that there are many different styles to pick from. Of course, classic heeled leather thigh-high boots are the most common, but untitlab®’s thigh-high loafer boots and The Row’s flat sock boots both prove that there’s a thigh high for everyone; just take a look.
Model wears Rick Owens boots.
Few brands have planted a flag in thigh high boots like Rick Owens. Pieces like the flared Bogun boots slot perfectly into the designer’s gothic aesthetic. Many ask how to keep thigh high boots up, and Owens answers masterfully with a stretch grained lambskin addition to the thigh.
Model wears untitlab® boots.
Thigh high boots for men are a massively underexplored category. Take the Reel Derbies Boots from untitlab®, for example, which suggest that there’s more to thigh high boots than elevation.
Model wears Isabel Marant boots.
With that said, for many, heeled leather thigh high boots are the pinnacle of the style. In one sense, these Isabel Marant boots are staples, with their kitten heel and understated, buffed leather build. But the height of the boots ensures that there’s ample drama, too.
Model wears LEMAIRE boots.
LEMAIRE always has one eye on versatility, even when it comes to thigh high boots. A square toe echoes a chunky blocked heel while thick grained leather offers a comfortable yet refined finish that won’t fall down on every step.
Model wears Rick Owens boots.
This pair of black thigh high boots is built on a cantilevered sole for a bold, architectural look. Of course, it’s in line with Rick’s almost dystopian styling, and there’s no denying the impact that this pair has. Made from stretch-grained lambskin, these boots fit tight to the leg, rounding out the sleek aesthetic.
Model wears Proenza Schouler boots.
One of the main worries is what to wear with thigh high boots. It’s definitely harder to style thigh high boots than a pair of sneakers, but if you can pull it off, the payoff is huge. Take this pair from Proenza Schouler, which makes styling easy thanks to the all-black leather build and silver-tone heel. It’s understated and versatile; perfect with a bold mini or midi skirt.
Model wears Isa Boulder boots.
When it comes to designer thigh high boots, the vast majority are classic black leather iterations. Isa Boulder, on the other hand, switches things up with this pair of beige knit boots. A knitted argyle pattern defines the look, leaving blank space to show some skin through the gaps.
Model wears Paris Texas boots.
The simple fact of the matter is that thigh high boots are a lot of fun. Paris Texas brings this into sharp focus with this pair of snakeskin stiletto boots. Embossed leather gives the graphic print a realistic texture.
Model wears The Row boots.
Probably the most unique pair of thigh highs on the market right now comes from The Row. Not the brand you’d immediately think of as a purveyor of thigh high footwear, but The Row’s pair of netted flats shows that there’s more to both the brand and thigh high boots than you might have thought.
Model wears Bottega Veneta boots.
Bottega Veneta is a house rooted in leather production, so it tracks that the label’s leather boots are in the upper echelons of luxury footwear. Combining smooth curves and clinically sharp, clean lines, the Canalazzo boots represent the apex of designer thigh high boots. They’re sophisticated, dramatic, and downright beautiful.
- Date: June 23, 2023
