Should You Wear Knee High Boots to Work?

Recently on our IG stories, a follower asked a million dollar question. Are knee high boots okay for the office?

Knee high boots have a bad office rep to be frank. In the past, I think it had a lot to do with how it was being styled. Paired with mini skirts, it’s probably a no. And as you should know, mini skirts are a no-go in the office anyway. But, there IS a perfect way to style them to make it office appropriate.

When wearing knee high boots to the office, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:

• Proportions
• Material
• Heel Height

These three things will either bring more or less attention to the boot. I’m always of the mind that when trying something out for the first time, go for understated. Once you get a feel of things and more comfortable in the space, then go ahead and have more fun.

The first tip is to pay attention to the proportions of the knee high boots.

My favorite way to wear a knee high boot is with a hemline that goes well below the knee. A lot of work style is all about illusions (I’ve worn a crop top to work and got away with it). A knee high boot paired with a midi skirt or dress takes the edge off what could be considered a bit risqué.

In most cases, I’ll opt for a midi skirt or a pair of culottes. They show just enough of the boot but also provide full coverage of your legs. What steers most away from knee high boots at work is seeing the bare knee cap. Hence, a midi option is the perfect antidote or my all time favorite, culottes.

If you do find yourself sporting a skirt that goes above the knee, like a pencil or flare. I’d head for the thigh high option. Keeping the transition from skirt to boot flush is what you want to aim for so no “skin” is showing. Very cute look for the weekend though.

Next, let’s talk Materials. Again, if you’re new and testing out the space, go for a classic leather or suede option in brown or black. Animal print and texture is also okay here if they’re a solid color.

Materials like leather are perfect for Autumn and Winter since they can handle harsh weather like rain and snow better. Suede is great for spring since it adds a light texture to your look to brighten things up. Both will last a long time especially if you take care of them and if you want to wear your suede in the winter, be sure to ScotchGuard!

If real leather is out of your budget, that’s completely okay! Just make sure the leather doesn’t appear cheap and take care of your boots in the off season. Wipe them down after harsh weather and watch out for salt.

Lastly, let’s discuss heel height. I’m an avid heel wearer but of that doesn’t mean I’m uncomfortable either. I tend to go for a chunkier heel around 2-3 inches for both style and comfort. If you’re heading from one meeting to another, you wouldn’t want to be in pain between locations.

Stilettos can be great but again, we don’t want the boots too flashy for the office. Here, I would stay away from animal patterns and go for a basic color like brown or black. If you find yourself eyeing a pair of stilettos, a flare heel is a great way to add comfort as the wider base takes the load off the ball of your foot.

Bonus here! One of the best perks of boots is they actually look great with a square toe. The wider tow box is not only comfortable since your toes aren’t squished into a pointed shape, but it’s also a nice trend to include in your wardrobe.

How will you style your knee high boots for the office this winter?