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I found lookalikes starting at $50.
This week, Eva Mendes confirmed what we were already thinking: Leopard print is going to be major this fall. With her silky animal-print dress, the actress convinced at least one InStyle editor to lean into this season’s most unexpected neutral. But it was her skin-tight black boots that made me think I might need to go shopping.
These weren’t your classic fall riding boots; these knee-highs were capital “S” Sexy, with a glove-like fit, pointed toe, and sharp heel. They transformed her cute, billowing dress into a super hot look. But it’s not just Mendes who has been leaning on these fitted boots to va-va-voom-up a look, the style has been a go to for Taylor Swift and Amal Clooney for the same reason. Swift wears them with everything from football jerseys and short shorts to mini dresses while Clooney has paired them with a classic sweater dress. They’re the uncomplicated way to make any outfit a little sexier. Below, shop eight similar styles starting at just $50.
8 Knee-High Boots
- Dream Pairs Thigh-High Boots, $50 (Originally $57); amazon.com
- Aerosoles Centola Knee-High Boots, $90 (Originally $149); amazon.com
- Newbella Knitted Sock Knee-High Boots, $70; amazon.com
- Aldo Helagan Knee-High Boots, $150; nordstrom.com
- Silent D Komass Knee-High Boots, $158; anthropologie.com
- Vivaia Square-Toe Knee-High Boots, $169 (Originally $189); vivaia.com
- Vagabond Hedda Knee-High Boots, $235; nordstrom.com
- Reformation Rosa Stretch Knee Boots, $448; thereformation.com
Aerosoles Centola Knee-High Boots
$149 $90 at Amazon
IMO, this skin-tight look is the easiest to achieve with a stretchy material, which is why Aerosoles’s on-sale sock boots are pretty high on my list. These are made from stretchy gabardine fabric that the brand’s shoppers say is “soft and fits like a glove,” but they also feature a side zipper that makes getting them on and off even easier. As a bonus, these come with removable foam insoles that make the heeled boots so comfortable, one person said they walked “for hours” in them without any pain.
Vivaia Square-Toe Knee-High Boots
$189 $169 at Vivaia.com
Vivaia’s knit shoes are a favorite of InStyle editors and celebrities, so of course the brand’s stretchy boots made the list. The outside of these boots is crafted out of a water-repellent wool while the inside features a terry lining. Not only do the boots keep you warm, but you don’t have to be precious about them; if there’s a sudden rain show, it’s NBD. These are a little pricier than Aerosoles’s boots, which do look almost identical, but I truly think that difference is easily justified by those upgrades.
Aldo Helagan Knee-High Boots
$150 at Nordstrom
Mendes’s style wasn’t just skin-tight, the boots also had a skinny heel and pointed-toe, all of which you’ll find in Aldo’s Helagan boots. But while the thin flared heel might look intimidating—and, by that, I do mean painful—these boots are made with a cushioned foam footbed that’s meant to alleviate discomfort. You get that sexy look with hidden support.
Shop more of the sexy boots stars keep wearing, below.
Dream Pairs Thigh-High Boots
$57 $50 at Amazon
Newbella Knitted Sock Knee-High Boots
$70 at Amazon
Silent D Komass Knee-High Boots
$158 at Anthropologie
Vagabond Hedda Knee-High Boots
$235 at Nordstrom
Reformation Rosa Stretch Knee Boots
$448 at Reformation