'Over the Edge'

Over-the-knee or over-the-edge?

Pre-fall collections have already hit major department stores like Barney’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, prodding its dedicated clientele to spend on the best Fall-Winter ’09 pieces of the season. Investment buying, as we like to call it in the fashion industry, is one sure way to beat the recession blues and jumpstart the flagging economy.

Hottest investment buy: Over-the-knee boots.

First spotted on the spring catwalks of Givenchy, Preen and Rodarte, a variety of thigh-high flats, wedges, stilettos and platforms are now taking up most pre-orders on fall merchandise.

Style icons like Kate Moss, Rihanna, Blake Lively and Hilary Duff sported pairs last winter, wooing fans who once associated the style with the same profession as Julia Robert’s character in Pretty Woman (let’s just say that Roberts was ‘no saint’ in the film).

Designers like Chloë and Stella McCartney have perfected the over-the-knee boot, creating a sleeker version that rivals the aggressive vinyl look of thigh-high boots from yester years. These over-the-knee boots act as a second skin – made of taught leather and with light ruching at the sides for ease.

The shoe adds length to the mini-dress silhouette, looking its best when paired with monochromatic leggings or pants. No longer do you have to be built tall and slender in order to pull off this season’s must-have shoe.

Want to get your hands on a pair? Look for out for these popular styles:

A bit of a wedge. This Pour la Victoire boot looks like a typical riding boot, but has slight wedge heel and two wraparound straps at the ankle and knee. Comes cool gray and black colors. Slips on easily – important when it comes to being effortlessly chic.

The classic over-the-knee boots gets a major makeover. Can’t be afraid of heights if you want to pull off this Colin Stuart 4 3/4-inch heel. This daring platform boot matches suede with leather in a combination that is sure to turn heads.

Talk about having a second skin. This Brian Atwood shoe comes in stretch suede that is as soft as rolling around in a bed of Egyptian cotton. The boot may be just as high as the Colin Stuart, but with a boot as snug as this, I promise you won’t even know it’s there.

Never mind designers going over-the edge. I’ve fallen head-over-heels in love.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.batchplease.com, shopbop.com, victoriassecrets.com and saksfifthave.com