HOW TO WEAR KNEE-HIGH BOOTS, ACCORDING TO A STYLIST

‘Can you wear knee high boots with a dress?’ we hear you cry. It’s a valid question. After all, they involve a lot of fabric (as shoes go) and the sturdy structure doesn’t lend itself to floaty gowns. Be that as it may, the knee-high silhouette is a surprisingly suitable partner for your autumn dress rotation. Pair a shiny leather shoe with soft, seasonal fabrics like wool for a seriously 90s ensemble. 'Knee boots are the perfect blend of heritage and cleaner, more minimal 90s energy,' says Megan. We love colour drenching here, so consider reaching for plums and burgundy if you’re feeling particularly cosy.

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN knitted fine gauge maxi dress with rib detail in burgundy, £35
Stradivarius Faux leather quilted bomber jacket in burgundy, £45.99
ASOS DESIGN Kane square toe slouchy over the knee boots in burgundy, £175
ASOS DESIGN hardware detail wrap flap clutch bag in burgundy, £30

We won’t teach you to suck eggs, but low and behold – a sharp structured shoe goes perfectly with sharp structured tailoring. Alternative blazers and architectural looks are massive this season, so it’d be remiss not to throw in a knee-high boot when completing your corpcore ‘fit. We love mixing up the expected codes of smart dressing with textural details – like a satin trouser instead of your usual cotton. A square-toe black knee-high boot is perfect here, and layering everything under a trench coat will keep you firmly in the transitional spirit.

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Topshop Scarlett Premium leather square toe knee high boot in black, £140
Topshop satin tie waist wide leg trouser in black, £44
ASOS DESIGN adjustable cinched back shoulder pad shirt in chocolate, £40
Topshop 2 button relaxed fit blazer in black, £68

Another unlikely hero of the knee-high boot roster is the mini skirt. Preppy wardrobes are another autumn favourite this year, so reach for pleated or plaid styles to complement your trusty boots. For Megan, 'mixing a statement boot with A-line skirts' is a nod to recent runways. 'From Gucci to Saint Laurent and Prada, this season is all about suede, chocolate and earth tones.' Balancing the top half with a sheer, romantic fabric is a great way to keep things interesting, whilst a cohesive trending colour palette will keep you from veering off course. We also love a good suede knee-high cowboy boot in this instance, a fun way to give your legs some airtime despite the cooler temperatures.

GET THE LOOK: 

ASOS DESIGN co-ord mesh semi sheer ruched off shoulder top in black, £20
ALDO Kaely Wide leg western detail knee high boots in suede chocolate, £180
ASOS DESIGN pleated mini skirt in micro check, £30
Topshop Talia chisel toe knee high boot in tan, £60

Layering season means plenty of texture. You can jump on the knee-high boots trend whilst brushing shoulders with other AW25 favourites – like satin and lace details. We love clashing high-shine brown knee-high boots with suede jackets or blazers, and you can break up the look with a softer piece like this satin slip dress. Finish things with a lace camisole or satin headscarf tied at the waist for ultimate textural indulgence. It might sound like a lot of ingredients, but the very best looks call for lots of flavour.

GET THE LOOK: 

& Other Stories satin midi dress slip dress in black with white lace, £97
ASOS DESIGN real suede 70s jacket in brown, £185
ASOS DESIGN satin scarf in green tie dye print, £18
ASOS DESIGN Cleoni premium leather pull on knee boots in chocolate, £145