Brown Chicken Brown Cow
You see this image? Jimmy Choo sent out an email yesterday advertising their fall line, which apparently includes the red hobo bag and black leather boots seen in the photo. Immediately my mind goes to the movie Pretty Woman. Hooker with a heart of gold. Julia Roberts and her 44" long legs (how is that possible?). This campaign photo is sending a message. And it isn't a good one.
Thigh high leather boots come in and out of fashion. Me? I won't wear them for the reasons mentioned above, regardless of their current trendiness. To me they say "streetwalker" or at the very least, someone who is trying way too hard to gain attention. Then again, I'm so petite that these would probably envelop my entire leg.
Realizing I might be in the minority on this, it prompted me to ask my twitter crew their opinion of above-the-knee boots. Here's how it all went down:
Don't get me wrong... I love my below-the-knee high-heeled boots. Can't part with them. LOVE them. But above the knee? Thigh high? >.<
For the most part, the crowd resounded with the expected response: normal people don't wear these things. Ladies of the evening do. Hookers with hearts of gold. (French women being the one exception: they can get away with just about anything.) @thisisglamorous agreed with my observation that the ad was conveying a "certain" look.
And then the clever response came from @paperbullet:
Excellent point. Now we've established that if worn with a cape, and possibly a mask and some high-powered cuff bracelets there is a thigh-high boot exception. I think we're on to something here. But then, a few more exceptions to the "it's a don't" rule were added:
@LETRAINBLEU reminded me:
@devynelizabeth chimed in with one other possible opportunity to rock out the boots:
I share this with you not to bash Jimmy Choo. Look how successful the campaign is already. I've now tweeted about it and blogged about it. An advertiser's dream.
My point is this: if you are not on twitter you are missing out. My Twitter can beat your facebook any day of the week. To me, it's more immediate, more fun, and gives a better sense of everyone's real personality. I use both apps, but Twitter wins hands down for me. I love it. Give it a week, I think you'll agree.
I have mixed feelings on over-the-knee boots...mostly because I am a super hero in my own mind! LOL! Then again, they are fun to play dress up when you want to make your hunny hot. ; ) Would I ever be caught dead in public with them? Only if I turned into a prostitute!
Posted by: Sonja | July 24, 2009 at 03:38 PM
ah haha! Okay... well that would give us the fourth reason to wear them... and this one is not in public. Rowr!
Posted by: franki durbin | July 25, 2009 at 08:40 AM
Why do people think thigh high boots are "hooker" boots. That is just far from the truth. If you go to Beverly Hills or Madison Ave. you will see lots of thigh high boots on women that look extremely classy and smart. Thigh boots make a statement, but only CHEAP vinyl ones make the "hooker' statement. The boots at Neiman Marcus, Barneys, or the high end department stores only look classy and sophisticated. And yes, they happen to be a sexy, but no more so than a nice tailored skirt. Thigh boots are extremely remarkable for their ability to spiff up an otherwise dull outfit. Also, my wife is petite and she looks amazing in thigh high leather boots. It's ok to be petite, just not overweight. And boots in general are just awesome. I love the 2009 fall colletion. The Ralph Lauren boot is brilliant. Most of the boots this year have rounded toes and thicker heels, which is great because the long elf toe look has been around for too long. The only problem with the designer thigh boots this year is that they can cost up to $1500. Ouch!! That really stings. But hopefully the knockoffs will make them more affordable soon. Most women look amazing in tall boots!
Posted by: Kirk | July 25, 2009 at 02:51 PM
Kirk,
I love hearing the male perspective. I'll concede that the vinyl/pleather boots are a dead giveaway in the streetwalker message. And while ultimately, a confident, sophisticated woman can wear anything and rock it out with style...I still say these fall dangerously into streetwalker territory.
So let's just call it my experience that outside of Madison Ave and the streets of Paris - by and large the boot wearers in question weren't exuding the message I send when I wear my boots ;)
And it's possible I have a warmer climate mentality. Since the weather doesn't call for such footwear, it tends to be a specific type of person to wear the boots. There's just above the knee - and then sky-high thigh-hugging ho' boots ;)
I suppose if I lived further north I might appreciate them for the "sensible wardrobe choice" you support them as being. Hard to say. In the meantime, I'll enjoy my to-the-knee leathers when it gets chilly. At least I know I won't be sending any mixed messages.
Well... that is unless I'm suddenly called to join an elite order of superheroes.... that seems to be one of the rare exceptions to the rule whereby I get to wear the thigh huggers with reckless abandon.
Thanks for swinging by ;)
Posted by: franki durbin | July 26, 2009 at 10:18 AM