Hold On: Every Celeb Is Wearing This Controversial Boot Trend Right Now

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(Image credit: Neil Mockford/Getty Images)

Knowing that every out-of-style trend will eventually make its way back again, I held on to my trusty over-the-knee boots even after the style was dubbed "out" a few years ago. I was holding out hope that a handful of celebrities would dare to wear the controversial shoe trend again one day, catalyzing its comeback. And it's a good thing I did because, just as I predicted, over-the-knee boots are heading for a comeback. 

Whereas I used to go months without spotting a pair of the extra-tall boots on anyone, let alone a celebrity, I've recently been seeing them everywhere. For a pre-BAFTAs event hosted by Chanel, Emma Watson wore a pair from the almost sold-out collaboration between Jimmy Choo and Mugler. Following the award show, Pam & Tommy star Lily James was seen wearing a mint-green pair of Roberto Cavalli boots to an after-party. And that was only in the last 72 hours or so. More advocates of the trend include Irina Shayk, Kim Kardashian, and Dua Lipa.

But it's not just celebrities. During fashion month, nearly every designer included at least one pair of over-the-knee boots in their fall/winter 2022 collections, from Bottega Veneta and Max Mara to Michael Kors and Khaite. Street style stars outside of the shows also frequented the style, including Caroline Daur and Courtney Trop. Suffice to say, over-the-knee boots are back in a major way, whether you were ready for their return or not.

Prepare for their epic comeback by shopping a few of my favorite pairs below.

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(Image credit: Neil Mockford/Ricky Vigil M/Getty Images)

On Emma Watson: Nensi Dojaka dress; Jimmy Choo x Mugler 100 Two-Tone Jersey and Mesh Thigh Boots ($1950); Cartier Small Love Bracelet ($4450); Chanel bag

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(Image credit: Neil Mockford/Getty Images)

On Lily James: Roberto Cavalli dress and boots

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(Image credit: Neil Mockford/Getty Images)

On Irina Shayk: Burberry Medium TB Leather Shoulder Bag ($1750) and Quilted Jacket ($1150)

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(Image credit: Patricia Schlein/Getty Images)

On Kim Kardashian: Balenciaga leggings, boots, coat, sunglasses, earrings, and bag

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(Image credit: Neil Mockford/Getty Images)

On Dua Lipa: Prada jacket, bodysuit, boots, and sunglasses; Heaven x Marc Jacobs bag; Dans Les Rues rings

Shop over-the-knee boots:

Coming up: I'm Convinced This Is the Perfect Boot Trend for 2022

Senior Fashion Editor

Eliza Huber is a New York City–based fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and celebrity style. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 after almost four years on the fashion editorial team at Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a marketing degree from the University of Iowa. She has since launched two monthly columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled the likes of Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, and Sabrina Carpenter for WWW's monthly cover features; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top trends from fashion month, season after season. Eliza now lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, running in Central Park, and scouring eBay for '90s Prada and '80s Yves Saint Laurent.