Everyone needs a knee-high boot in their closet, but not everyone knows how to style 'em with dresses. When it comes to wearing boots and dress combos, you probably ask: Should the hem of my dress cover my boots? Or, should there be some skin peeking—and if so, how much? Would it look weird if my dress is fitted but the circumference of my boots is wide?
I get it—this situation can be v confusing! One thing for sure is that knee-high boots dress up (heh) your outfit, no matter how chill your ensemble is, and you can pretty much wear them any way you want. I can show you better than I can tell you, though. So, check out the chicest ways to style knee-high boots with dresses ahead.
Skim Along
A denim dress with brassy buttons calls for boots in a camel hue. Add some angular frames to make the look edgy. Also, use this as evidence that the hem of your dress can skim the top of your boot and still be super cute!
Shop the Denim Vibe
Ralph Lauren Belted Denim Shirtdress
Coco and Breezy Sharita 63mm Oversize Hexagon Sunglasses
STAUD Women's Wally Suede Knee-High Boots
Go With a Slit
An easy way to highlight your boots is going for a dress with a slit. This black ruffled piece is cute but sultry.
Shop the Slit Look:
Runaway The Label Vacanza Midi Dress in Black
Adore Adorn Currents Earring Cuff Set in Gold Vermeil
Aldo Nevada
Make a Mini Moment
If you really wanna steer clear of the whole which-hemline-looks-best-with-knee-length boots convo, then maybe mini dresses are more your speed. In particular, a wrap style with cowboy boots might speak to your wild side!
Shop the Mini Moment:
Aritzi Saturn Mini Dress
JW PEI Women's Lily Shoulder Bag
Steve Madden Dollie in Black
Add a Leather Jacket
If you're feeling cutesy, you'll likely lean into lace and frilly dresses. Add some edge with black leather boots. And you know the deal: a leather jacket automatically makes an outfit look cooler.
Shop the Lace Look:
Dolce Vita Gyra Boots
Get on Your Fringe Flow
Bring some movement into your 'fit with a sweater fringe dress. Croc-embossed accessories and a chunky chain necklace give peak boss energy.
Shop the Fringe Feel:
Sarto Andria Knee High Boot
Banana Republic Leggera Jumbo Curb Link Necklace by Aureus + Argent
Put on Some Tights
See how a fiery-red voluminous number pairs well with lace tights (love how they peek out) and knee-high black boots? This bold and mostly monochromatic statement will turn heads. BTW, if you don't want to break up the look, reach for red boots.
Shop the Drama:
For Love & Lemons x REVOLVE Bustier Gown
Go Grunge
One thing we love in fashion is juxtaposition. A romantic slip dress somehow always works with combat boots. When you wear this out on date night, you'll be feelin' yourself and you won't have to worry about your feet hurting!
Shop Romantic-Grunge:
Use the Utilitarian Aesthetic
Fashion, but make it functional! Dresses with surprise pockets are always a great discovery, but we gotta show love when they're there in a right-in-your-face way. This utilitarian look is not only practical, it's so chic. Croc boots and a matching bag elevate it further.
Shop the Utilitarian Aesthetic:
A.L.C. Ava II Dress
Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien is the fashion editor at Cosmopolitan, writing weighty and witty stories that run the gamut of gushing over Zendaya to convincing you of everything you need in your closet! She began her journey in the industry with a fashion and faith blog and an internship at Elle about 10 years ago. Since then, she's also served as the style editor at The Haitian Times. The Haitian-American pageant queen is Miss Supranational Haiti 2024, a Syracuse Masters graduate, and the author of three books, including: Claim Your Crown. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok: @iamtarahlynn.
