Crack the Code: The Over-The-Knee Boot

Sound the alarm: I've cracked the secret...

In a previous post, I shared my secrets to finding the most flattering ankle boots and taught you how to dispel your worries of stumpy looking stems regardless of your personal height.

After trying on 13 different pairs of above-the-knee boots (I deeply apologize to the shoe rep) from boots from Report to Michael Kors, I discovered the secret to find the most flattering, slimming over-the-knee kicks for you... 

Top 4 "Issues-up-to-your-Knees"

• Bundled fabric around the ankles-- Can someone say expensive Elephantiasis?
• Fitting from the ankles to the small calves... but not tight enough around the knee and thigh -- result: floppy, sagging boots
• "Tamale Legs": whether belted around, lace tied, and such and such, the legs look like a tamale tied-to-fit with a string
• Stumpy, shortened legs 

I know they say style isn't rocket science, but finding the perfect fit is. Otherwise, you'll look like a coat stand with ill-fitting items thrown over you. Remember, you wear the clothes, not the other way around... ever!


What to Look for to Cure These Concerns:

Dressier Gals:

Tidbit:  An over-the-knee boot with a heel is the best option.. A heel will help lengthen you, but a heel with a hidden platform in front will do wonders.

I cannot overemphasize this enough -- To up your luck with finding the perfect pair... always, always, always go for a pair with a a little spandex stretch in them. Purpose? To help pull the boot closer to the form of your leg from the ankles up to your thighs... melting all your worries of frump, stump, and clump!

Exhibit A: Audrina Patridge

Exhibit B: Lindsay Lohan *as much as I hate to say this.

Exhibit C: Kate Moss

 Exhibit D: Emma Roberts

Exhibit E: Blake Lively

Exhibit F: Hilary Duff

Exhibit G: Taylor Momsen

Exhibit H: Olivia Palermo

Casual Ladies:

If you prefer a flat boot, take extra precaution to make sure your legs don't look stumpier than they really are. Ever notice when you wear flared jeans with flip-flops, you looks stumpier and shorter than if you wore the flares with a pair of high heels? This is a natural, physical build matter. When standing on a flat surface, our thighs relax while our small calves flex. Relaxed thighs meaning... we looks thicker... meaning... we look stumpy.

Same rule applies with over-the-knee boots. This species of boots draws attention to our thighs... 

With that said, for the casual ladies who prefer a pair with more practicality, aim for more stiffened material for the boots with less scrunch. This will draw a the line upward, limiting the shortened height problem. 

Flat-Boot Don't: Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale-- Droopy, Stumpy



Flat-Boot Winners:  

Exhibit A: Blake Lively

 

Exhibit B: Miley Cyrus in Alexander Wang Boots

Exhibit C: Olivia Palermo

xo QBee







JustJared, BatchPlease, TMN, StarStyle

This Week I Covet...

Grecian Goddess Intimate: Emma Roberts in Temperley London at the 4.3.2.1. premiere

Image: JustJared

This girl is so hard to catch up with! Just after my tribute post to this fresh faced actress, she takes my breath away a day later. Emma achieves the whimsical, hippie-chic goddess feel with little effort. The billowy Temperley London frock features romantic tiered sleeves with gold intricate embellishments all along the neckline and cut-out shoulders. 

Tidbit: It's All About the Fit Do you know what saved this dress from looking like a maternity dress? The strategically placed shoulder cut-outs. It slims her upper portion by allowing her shoulders to peek through. The cut-outs also helped in terms of fit, allowing the beautifully tiered fabric along her upper arm to drape naturally.

Stone-Cold Metallic: Sienna Miller in Matthew Williamson

Image: StarStyle

I can never get enough of Sienna Miller. But Sienna in Matthew Williamson? She always seems to define the clothing. In retrospect, she always left a deep impression with me whenever she donned Mr. Williamson's unique designs. Okay. Back on topic. Loved her in this metallic mini in a stone-green wash with her Camilla Skovgaard booties she's been seen stomping around town in (during the day)! Leave it to Ms. Miller to never stick to one color palette. This is what I love about her taste! She's fearless in mixing in the brown belt while wearing black booties. And pairs her green dress with her red Prada Saffiano & Tessuto tote (most people don't dare to step anywhere near the X-mas color duo in fear of looking like the Grinch). Only Sienna... bow down.

Tidbit: Don't be afraid of color contradictions. When done right, brown and black accessories mixed into an outfit actually will give your look an extra kick! Red and green, when in the right material and shade pairing can actually give you an adventurous look -- when done right of course!

The Modern LBD: Nicky Hilton in Alice+Olivia Cut-Out Dress

Image: StarStyle

At least one Hilton has her head screwed on straight and realized she's too old to play in Malibu Barbie's house anymore. Nicky owns this tasteful look in a little black dress. The Alice+Olivia number fits her like a glove, with subtle shoulder pads to help elongate the look. Nicky adds a modern twist to the look with her fabulous Brian Atwood Lola Suede Leather Pumps. Those shoes are magical! Where can I get me some of those? Oh and throw in her Hermés Collier de Chien Cuff in with my shoe crave fix too please...

L.A. Easy Breezy: Kristin Cavallari
Image: StarStyle

Resident bad gal of the Hills, K.Cav always represents the epitome of Hollywood's modern day girl. She dresses up her laid-back-Cali look for a night out on the town with a pair of Christian Louboutins and Alice+Olivia leather shorts. I love the effortless feel of her ensemble, but due to the cut of the top, I would prefer to swap the shorts for liquid leggings.

Tidbit: When wearing a loose top, depending on the cut, do not pair it with a pair of micro-minis. Doing so would only shorten your height and make you look stumpy. To elongate your look: if your top is loose, your bottom must be tight and vice versa!

xo Qb

On the Radar: Emma Roberts

Aside from her famous last name, many would recognize those infamous eyes and lips as genetic features luckily inherited by a certain Pretty Woman, she so fortunately refers to as"Auntie Julia". Yes, the closest we could get to Julia Roberts was by reenacting (and quite embarrassingly -- might I add) her famous scene in the bathtub crooning her heart out to Prince's "Kiss". While we were trying to feel out the shoes of Mrs. Roberts through our embarrassing act, little Emma was probably spending her Sunday mornings watching Smurfs in her aunt's living room. Jealous much?

Although she hasn't inherited her legendary aunt's acting chops, she has saved her spot on the style radar. The 19-year-old young actress has been taking the fashion circuit for a spin, outshining young Hollywood has-beens such as the likes of Lindsey Lohan, Mischa Barton, and all the other beautiful disasters that fell off the bandwagon. 

Unlike the bundle of "wasted youth", Emma sets a new bar for up-and-coming Hollywood starlets with poise, elegance, and did I mention ... an impeccable understanding of designer clothing?

At the SATC2 UK Premiere dressed in head-to-toe Miu Miu

Image: JustJared

In Jenny Packham Spring 2010 at the Valentine's Day Premiere

Image: JustJared/FabSugar

In head-to-toe Marni at the Met Ball 2010

Image: JustJared 

(Left) At the Teen Choice Award in an embellished Monique Lhuillier number

(Middle) Louis Vuitton Jacket

(Right) On Jay Leno

JustJared/People StyleWatch

Did I mention she's been spotted with my favorite fashion icon of the moment, socialite Olivia Palermo? It's no wonder I adore them both. 

Image: StarStyle / SuperiorPics

 

xo Qb