Scared of OTK Boots? Here are 7 Ways to Wear Them

If you take your cues from fashion magazines, over-the-knee boots should be everywhere.  They're on-trend, slightly edgy, flattering, and add a dose of sexiness to any outfit.  But if you look around you, you'll see that most women (at least in San Francisco, which I know isn't saying much) are still clinging to the basic black ankle bootie.  The black ankle bootie is to San Francisco in 2016 what a black North Face jacket was to any college campus in 2008.  It's not unflattering or ugly--in fact, it's universally flattering and inoffensive.  But after seeing it a gazillion times on myself and others, it can get a teensy bit boring.  Shake things up with an OTK boot--and don't worry, there are many ways you can wear it, depending on how daring you are:

1.) Over skinny jeans

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This is probably how most people will wind up wearing the OTK boot, because it's just the least scary option.  That's not to say it's a boring option (are OTK boots ever boring?) but if you want to plunge into this trend without attracting too much attention, this could be a good way to dip your toes in the water.  Dark-wash skinny jeans paired with flat, black OTK boots could even be appropriate for work, provided your workplace is casual.  Higher-heel OTK boots over skinny jeans work for a night out, especially if paired with a crop top and a leather jacket.

2.) With a baggy dress

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This outfit is statement-making, but not over the top--that's why the dress is baggy.  An oversized but short sweaterdress or tunic looks awesome with over-the-knee boots because it balances one of the age-old fashion tricks: cover up one thing, and show off another thing.  Eyes will gravitate to your super-sexy legs, because the bagginess of the dress will detract from all your other, um, assets.  This outfit is obviously too much for work, but could be cute for daytime or nighttime on weekends.

3.) With a mini shift dress

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This style is similar to the baggy dress style, but with a bit more structure.  Shift dresses conceal the lines of the body, but aren't quite as drapy as loose tunics, so they add a bit more polish and elegance.  If the boots are flat, this look could even be work-appropriate (again, depending on workplace) especially if paired with a blazer.

4.) With an A-line mini skirt and sweater

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A-line skirts balance innocence and sexiness very well.  The ones currently in style (usually denim or corduroy with buttons down the front) conjure up images of high school students in the late 1960s.  To give these skirts a modern, more daring twist, pair them with OTK boots, making sure to keep your top half covered up with a high neckline sweater.

5.) With a fit and flare dress

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Fit and flare dresses are perfect with OTK boots.  This is a great transitional outfit between winter and spring, when you aren't sure if it's pants weather or dress weather.  The fact that fit-and-flare dresses don't cling to the hips also means

6.) With a high-neck bodycon dress

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This is probably one of the most daring options, and I wouldn't really recommend it for anything other than nightlife (that said, for many people nightlife outfits are a huge part of their wardrobe!)  As long as the neckline is high, this getup can still be appropriate for very specific occasions, and it's the perfect outfit if you really want to make an entrance.  If it's a bit too sexy for your taste, you can always dress it down with a looser jacket.

7.) With shorts

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Woah, before you tell me this is too Pretty Woman for you to attempt, think again.  Provided the shorts actually cover your butt cheeks, and provided you're not wearing a super-tight crop top showing boatloads of cleavage, this look can actually be really cute.  For some extra coverage, add a looser open sweater or a flowy tee.  If this look is still too risque for your taste, consider opting for flat-heeled taupe boots instead of high-heeled black ones.

This is What Happens When you Search the Most Expensive Clothing on ASOS

For those of you who don't know, ASOS is an internationally popular clothing site that bands together all sorts of labels and designers, as well as its own ASOS brand.  Known for being fashion-forward, ASOS gathers items that range from classic to absurd.  And it just so happens that the more money you're willing to pay for an item at ASOS, the more absurd you're going to get.

ASOS offers you the opportunity to search from lowest to highest price (I normally do this when I'm shopping) but also highest to lowest, for the upper crust of society who want to find a good $400 scarf without being forced to look at all the plebian normal-priced items.  So, in a moment of curiosity, I decided to use this search feature to see just what awesome stuff ASOS is selling at its highest prices.  I was not disappointed:

1.) Forever Unique Body Conscious Dress with Sheer Inserts $521

After looking at this item, I'm convinced that Forever Unique is just a secret name for the unwanted surplus of revealing Forever 21 dresses that teenager girls' moms refused to buy for them.  I mean, come on.  If you saw this dress without a price tag, would $521 ever come to mind as the potential price?  This reminds me of the kind of thing Snooki would buy immediately after raking in her first check from The Jersey Shore.  

2.) Orla Kiely Giant Snowdrop Sixties Shift Dress $623

I am pretty sure my five-year-old sister owns this, but that aside, what material is this made out of to justify that price?  Purified unicorn fur?  I get that this dress is doing the whole '60s thing, and that's cool, but honestly, it's so unflattering that if someone offered it to me for literally 99% off, at $6.23, I'd be like, "No thanks," and then wonder why the person was demanding such an unfairly high price.  I'm not saying I'm the pinnacle of style or anything, but I'm pretty sure this dress could double as an androgyny cloak for religious puritans during the hot summer months.

3.) Clover Canyon Neoprene Dress in Ashford Castle Print $416.90

In other words, "High school student's fashion project."  What is this?  From what I can tell, this is some bizarre, unexplained mixture of flowers, four different types of plaid, rainbows, grass, and a pheasant.  It's like the visualization of a badly translated "On The First Day of Christmas."  But don't worry, it's not like it's that expensive. You too can own this dress version of a David Lynch movie for only...$416.90.  I wonder what made them decide it was necessary to add the extra $16.90 onto the price of $400.  I guess $400 just doesn't do this dress justice.

4.) Wood Wood x Disney Serena Shell Top $322.15

Do you want to repel men and spend loads of money?  Then this shirt is perfect for you.  Yes, it may be polyester (the fabric of the wealthy, naturally) but it's also covered in creepy, distorted pictures of a vintage Mickey Mouse.  I mean, what else could a girl want?

5.) Forever Unique Frill Pencil Dress with Embellished Waist $568.50

Do you want to look like a walking vagina with extra flaps?  If so, this is the dress for you.  Come on, Forever Unique.  What are you trying to do to rich people?  They obviously don't know any better.  Oh, and in case you were worried about this dress being made of good material, never fret: it's polyester.  Polyester.  How are they passing off all this polyester as luxury?

6.) ASOS WHITE Pony Hair and Leather Top $341.10

I think this shirt solves the age-old dilemma of, "My sweaty long-sleeve crumpled leather shirt needs more pony hair!"  If you've been living your life wearing non-pony-haired leather shirts, you obviously haven't lived.

7.) House of Holland Jack Dress $568.50

Spoiler alert: this looks exactly the same if the model is facing front, and by that I mean just as terrible.  Whenever women humblebrag about being too curvaceous and naturally sexy to avoid distracting lecherous men and jealous female competitors, I am going to steer them toward this dress.  There is no way anyone could check you out in this dress, or even mistake you for an adult human female.  Actually, if you stare at this dress for too long it starts to look like Heffer, from Rocko's Modern Life:

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8.) One Teaspoon Kingpin Carrot Jeans in Brando Wash $312.68

Believe it or not, there is a way to get this sexy, flattering look at home: just go to Goodwill, find a pair of light-wash jeans that belonged to a tall man, and then chop them off at your ankles.  Voila.  But of course, that ankle zipper is pretty hard to come by so it's probably worth shelling out the $313 for that alone.

Building A Wardrobe? Here are the Only 10 Stores A Millenial Woman Needs to Frequent

One essential aspect of creating a wardrobe you love is knowing where to shop.  With so many stores out there, it can be difficult to know which places sell clothes within your price range, and which places sell clothing that's your style.  Here are my favorites--and my reasons for choosing them.

Important note: I am not sure which of these companies are ethical (or, rather, less unethical, because as far as I know, no clothing is truly ethical unless you sew it yourself.)  I encourage you to research the ethics of these stores and make your own decisions, if that is something that matters to you.

1.) Zara

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Everyone seems to love Zara these days.  If a trend presents itself on the runway, Zara delivers it to the average shopper at crazy-fast speed and at reasonable prices.  Zara is not as cheap as H&M, but it's far higher quality and just better overall.  You may have to ignore certain overly-trendy pieces, like embellished capes and bizarro flared culottes, but there are excellent trend pieces there too.  One way that Zara manages this and still makes money is that it only makes a small amount of each item.  If you like something at Zara, chances are it will sell out fairly quickly.  Right now, Zara is selling a plethora of on-trend androgynous and '70s inspired items.  They're always the first place I look when I want to figure out what's in this season.  Plus, Zara's vegan leather is some of the best.
Pros: Cost-effective, trendy, good bang for buck, outstanding vegan leather jackets
Cons: Weird website interface with super-close-up pictures that make no sense, their retail stores are crowded with tourists and their nine kids running around licking everything.  Their basics don't hold up particularly well.

2.) Amazon

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If you're willing to put in the time to figure out which brands you like that Amazon sells, you're in luck.  Amazon sells brands such as Cole Haan, Joie, Rebecca Minkoff, Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole and BCBGMaxazria at seriously marked-down prices.  And the best part--these items stay in stock for a long time, plus Amazon offers free shipping and free returns if the order is shipped by them and not by a third party.  Shopping at Amazon is, however, a labor-intensive process, so make sure you have adequate time to filter through all the less appealing, cheaper items from sketch-ass brands you've never heard of.
Pros: Great discounts on awesome brands, amazing customer service, shipping and return policies.
Cons: Takes a long time to find what you want.  Items rise and fall in price for no apparent reason so you need to check your bag regularly if you are monitoring the price of an item.

3.) NastyGal

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NastyGal, as you may guess from the name, is not the place where you go for chic basics.  NastyGal is where you go for showstopping clothing that makes a statement.  Luckily, NastyGal offers a variety of brands at a wide range of price points, so you know there is always something there within your budget.  They tout brands such as Jeffrey Campbell and For Love and Lemons as well as their lower-cost house brand.  This is the perfect site for going-out clothes, especially crop tops, sexy lace dresses, and anything that channels grunge, disco, or '70s trends.
Pros: On-trend and exciting clothing at reasonable prices.  Awesome sales happen regularly.
Cons: Such a huge inventory that it can be difficult to find what you're looking for.  The clothes aren't necessarily all the same level of quality because they're from different brands.  Some of the shit here is so ridiculous that you wonder who the hell is buying it.

4.) Saks Off 5th

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I used to be all about Nordstrom Rack, but I've switched to Saks off 5th for my discount designer clothing.  Saks off 5th has a contemporary area that's far superior to Nordstrom Rack's contemporary section which is basically just for teens.  Saks off 5th's contemporary section has brands like Free People, BCBGMaxazria, French Connection, Elizabeth and James, J Brand jeans, and Joie.  If you like an item at Saks off 5th, it's your responsibility to buy it before it goes out of stock, because they rarely stock more than a few of each item (either in-store or on their website).  This is partially a good thing, however, because it means every time you check them out, they have new stuff.

Pros: Designer clothing at low prices, tons of different brands.
Cons: Return and shipping policy are both just "meh."  Stuff runs out of stock really quickly.  Every time I'm waiting in line at their store some lady takes about five years to exchange a bag while I wait.  Not sure if this is just coincidence or if there's a conspiracy to waste my time going on.

5.) ASOS

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I'm shopping at ASOS less than I used to, but it's still a great site.  ASOS is 100% online (there is no in-store option) and it's an international fashion retailer that sells many brands, from its own thrifty house brand to UK-based brands like Closet, Chi Chi London, Vesper, and Lipsy.  If you've never heard of these brands, I suggest you check them out on the ASOS website, where there is always a page of items up to 70% off, new arrivals daily, great discount codes around the holidays, and clothing in petite, tall and plus sizes.  Not to mention free shipping and returns.  Plus, little known fact about ASOS- they boast one of the most cost-effective, flattering and adorable swimsuit options for cup sizes above DD (that includes size 30 bands, by the way.)

Pros: Tons of interesting brands, great returns and shipping policies, amazing discounts.
Cons: ASOS house brand is not of the best quality.  Sometimes there is so much stuff on the website that it can be overwhelming and I want to cry.

6.) Topshop

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Topshop reminds me of ASOS, but overwhelms me slightly less.  The price point is similar to the ASOS house brand, but at least in my opinion, the quality is better.  Topshop is a very trendy site (and real-life retail store) specializing in young, on-trend and cost-effective clothing.  However, many of Topshop's items don't stay in stock long, so if Topshop is selling something you like, it may not be worth it to wait for it to go on sale.  This is oddly specific, but I just have to say it: they have an amazing selection of basic, lace-up ribbed tops.

Pros: Great shipping and return policy.  On-trend items at great prices.
Cons: Decent, but not amazing, quality.  Low stock on almost all items.

7.) Express

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Express gets a bad rep for being a warehouse of unfashionable, career-woman clothing from the early 2000s, but that's actually not true at all.  Express has gone into '70s revival full-force and has a wide selection of high-quality, low-cost jeans in almost every cut and wash.  While Express may not be the #1 store for trend items, they have amazing selections of basic jeans, blouses, blazers and vegan leather jackets.  In addition, their site almost always seems to boast a blowout clearance sale with an additional 50% off sale.

Pros: Great sales, great work clothes and basics.  Occasionally good trend pieces.
Cons: Quality of blouses and dresses isn't the best, but not the worst either.  Everything eventually goes on sale, so if you buy something at full price you'll feel stupid a few months later.


8.) Uniqlo

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Uniqlo is another great store for basics.  Their leggings jeans, one of their staple items that is always in stock, have held up so well for me that I've worn them almost daily for years and they still look new.  Uniqlo is where I get most of my jeggings, casual sweaters, and leggings, at a price point that is more than easy on my wallet.  Uniqlo is not the place for trendy or statement making clothes, but it's a fantastic place to stock up on basics.

Pros: High quality, comfortable, basic items at a low price.
Cons: Nothing statement-making, if that's what you're looking for.  Rarely does anything go on sale to a point that's worth mentioning.

9.) American Apparel

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Another great store for basics (and some trend items) American Apparel delivers decent quality clothing at reasonable prices.  Sometimes people complain that American Apparel is overpriced (I don't think it is at all) but if it is, that's partially because all their clothing is made within the USA.  When we think of American Apparel, many of us think of tube socks and mesh bodysuits, but they offer a lot more than that--high waisted jeans, pencil skirts, crop tops, two-piece sets, sweaters, even shoes.  The American Apparel you knew in 2008 has changed quite a bit.

Pros: Quality, flattering, comfortable clothing.  A great mix of trend and basics.  If you like an item, it's guaranteed to still be in stock two months from now.  They regularly have 30% off discount codes.
Cons: Horrible return/shipping policy and fairly bad customer service too.  Not too many interesting new arrivals.


10.) French Connection

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French Connection's website is pretty awesome.  It's modern, clean, easy to navigate, and almost always offers an extra 40% off of sale items.  French Connection clothing is on-trend, interesting, flattering, and young without veering into Forever 21 territory.  The clothing may be slightly more expensive than the quality warrants, but that's one reason to buy their stuff when it's on sale.  French Connection offers both great basics and amazing cocktail and going-out options, trend pieces, and even shoes.

Pros: Wide selection of stuff, cool styles, good discounts.
Cons: Bad return policy, ever so slightly overpriced.

15 Defunct Fashion Trends That Date You to 2011

Not everyone cares about looking current or on-trend.  But those who do may find it difficult to figure out exactly which items in their closet are dated, and which aren't.  Sure, it's easy to know if something you're wearing came straight out of the late 90s (which is cool again, anyway) but it's a little harder to know if you're dressing...oh, maybe five years behind schedule.

So, if this is something you want to avoid, here are some items that were hot only five years ago, but now date you:

1.) Hi-Low hems

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I loved hi-low hems when they were popular and I am secretly hoping they come back.  My biggest gripe with shorter dresses is that if you have even a modest-sized rump, they get shorter in the back than in the front, and you wind up with a too-short dress in the back.  Hi-low hems made this a non-issue, and showed some leg in the front for a best-of-both-worlds silhouette.  Jokingly called the "mullet hem," this type of dress reached its peak somewhere around 2011 or 2012.

Instead of a hi-low hem, try a classic maxi dress--those never go out of style and are very much in keeping with '70s revival and boho styles, both of which are fairly popular right now.

2.) Short bodycon or bandage dresses, especially from Bebe.

This particular colorblock pattern is the most egregious.

I retain that bandage dresses are still totally in style if you're at a club in Vegas.  And trust me, I clung to these with my last dying breath as they receded into obsolescence.  But it's time to retire them--this just isn't happening anymore.  While some people claim that ALL fitted dresses are out of style, this is demonstrably untrue.  I'ma just say it: some people who don't think they can pull off fitted stuff (and in my opinion, anyone can if they want to!) are quick to diss it as "dated" or "trashy" just so other people stop wearing it.  People are still wearing tight clothes, just not seamless lace dresses from Bebe or bandage dresses.

If you love this shape but don't want to look 2010, try a two-piece midi skirt crop top set, or a midi-length sweaterdress.

3.) Low rise skinny jeans

The shoes here are also extremely 2012.

The fashion world keeps claiming skinny jeans are out of style, but it'll be a while before that's actually reflected in the general population (seriously, people are just not ready for flares.)  However, if you're going to wear skinny jeans, they should be high or mid-rise to avoid late-2000s connotations.  Not to mention that on almost everyone, a slightly higher rise is more flattering.

If you love skinny jeans but want to look current, try high-rise or medium-rise skinnies.

4.) Acid wash

At least they're high waisted!

Most people never got into acid wash, but I totally did, and I regret it because now my closet is stocked with acid wash jeans I'll probably never wear again unless I get invited to a 1992-themed, or 2012-themed, birthday party.  In the early 2010s, acid wash made a comeback, especially present in house music videos and in the form of high-waisted, butt-cheek-showing short-shorts.  That said, acid wash was over almost as quickly as it was in.

If you love acid wash but don't want to look like you came out of a 2011 Calvin Harris video, opt for bleached denim or ripped light-wash denim instead.

5.) Stiletto platforms

Red bottoms or not, don't.

This is a tricky one because platform shoes are definitely making a comeback in regards to '70s revival.  The difference, however, is that today's platform shoe is thick in the heel too, and a bit more casual (in wood, or cognac suede, as opposed to glitter or gold leather.)  The late-2010s platform shoe has a big, hoof-like platform in the front and then a skinny heel in the back, conjuring up images of strippers and Kim Kardashian.

If you love platform shoes but don't want to channel 2009 Nicki Minaj, opt for '70s inspired thick-heeled platform mary janes.

6.) Jogger pants

The shoes are cute, the pants not so much.

Technically, these are still around and they're not altogether unfashionable, but this trend has peaked, especially when worn for anything other than exercise.  Leather jogger pants or acid wash jogger pants are clearly out, although gray marl jogger pants, worn casually during the daytime, could still fly.

If you like comfy pants like joggers but don't want to look like Kanye West's muse, try leggings with a long sweater or top.


7.) Wedge sneakers

There are cuter ways to do comfort, I promise.

Wedge sneakers were another one of my favorites in the late 2010s.  Like hi-low hems, they presented the best of both worlds--comfort and height.  But they hit their peak years ago, and are now obsolete.  Luckily, sneakers are still stylish--just not these.

If you loved wedge sneakers but want something more 2016, try high tops or Chuck Taylors instead.


8.) Dolman sleeves

"It hang like sleeve of Dolman."

This is so specific that very few people will even notice it's out of style, but if you want to be really picky and totally current, avoid Dolman sleeves.  There was never a moment where the fashion world decided that Dolman sleeves were dated, but it's fairly obvious that Dolman sleeves hit their peak many years ago (personally, I feel it happened around 2010.)

If you liked the loose Dolman sleeves, try bell sleeves instead- that also works with the '70s styles that people love right now.

9.) Marching Band style jackets

One time at band camp...

These were never popular enough to be such an obvious trend, but you'll notice they were definitely more popular in the late 2000s than they are now.  They were all over the runways in 2009, and made it to quite a few fast fashion chains around that time too.  While I was a big fan of their structured, waist-enhancing look, I don't think we need to look like we're about to tell everyone what happened at band camp.  Another one for the donate bin.

If you liked the cut of these jackets, try moto jackets instead- much more current, with a similar sleek silhouette.

10.) Fitted blazers as going-out outwear

I should note that this dress is also a violation.

Blazers aren't the kind of thing that can ever truly "go out of style", at least not in the workplace.  But fitted blazers used as outerwear for a cocktail or "going out" outfit might be slightly dated.  Today's blazers tend to be looser and more androgynous, and going-out outwear tends to take the form of suede or leather moto jackets as opposed to blazers.

If you liked this look, try either a looser-fitting blazer, or a moto jacket.

11.) Ruching

Flattering, but it's time to go.

I can't really offer an alternative for ruching, but ruching may have been over by the time 2012 rolled around.  Ruching was ostensibly flattering, but now I can't see it without immediately thinking of a trying-too-hard cougar at a dive bar (sorry to anyone who is a cougar, goes to dive bars, or tries too hard, for how offensive that comment may have been to you.)

12.) Seamless tops

Tights for your torso.

Recent years have been all about loose tops and tight pants, but with flares making a comeback, I wouldn't be surprised if fitted tops came along with them (after all, balance is necessary).  That said, seamless, body-hugging tops that basically look like pantyhose on your chest are no-gos in 2016.  I loved these back in the day because they were so feminine and comfortable, but it's time to move on.

13.) Mesh cutouts

This is giving me traumatic flashbacks to my late teens.

Mesh cutouts and yokes were all the rage around 2011, but they've been out of style for a few years now, reminding everyone my age of their fake ID clubbing days.  Luckily, there are quite a few on-trend alternatives to show a peek of skin: lace, embroidery, and netting, all of which were shown quite a bit on the spring-summer 2016 runways.

14.) Equestrian Boots

Not a faux pas, but not on-trend either.

Equestrian boots aren't strictly "out", but they're not in style either.  If your style has always been preppy and classic, these boots aren't going anywhere.  However, if you tend to go with the trends of the time, equestrian boots hit their peak a few years ago.  Now it's all about ankle boots and over-the-knee boots.

15.) Cork Wedges

Bonus violation if also slingback peep toe.

I pretty much only wore cork wedges in the summer when I was in college.  I don't know when they were phased out, but it happened at some point since 2011.  Rope wedges still seem somewhat popular, as well as wood wedges, but cork wedges just didn't hold up.