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Boots extending above the knee

Thigh high boots, known also as thigh length boots or simply thigh boots, are boots that extend above the knees to at least mid thigh. Other terms for this footwear include over the knee boots, a name originally used for 15th century riding boots for men. These are sometimes called pirate boots, especially when cuffed. Over the knee boots are sometimes abbreviated to OTK boots. Lengths vary from reaching just over the knee to reaching almost to the crotch (referred to as crotch boots or crotch high boots). Thigh boots are made of materials such as leather, synthetic materials (including vinyl and sheet latex) or fabrics (including silk and polyester microfiber). Many are constructed with zippers, but some are designed as pull on boots. Heel heights vary, but most styles are either flat or have high heels greater than Heel styles vary from metal spikes to chunky. Like other boots, they can also have platform soles. Thigh boots are considered by many to be erotic or kinky. They are used as fetish clothing in boot fetishism and shoe fetishism and also as part of leather fetishism and rubber and PVC fetishism. Cheaper thigh boots are often worn by female models, prostitutes and dominatrices, so many people consider them icons of such trades. Because of the latter, they are often associated with sadomasochism. Nevertheless, they are frequently sold by couture designers, perhaps because of the implied eroticism. Thigh high boots are considered by many a symbol of women's power, authority and sex appeal. The visual appearance of thigh high boots depends on the length of the legs. Samantha Clark, in her book Outfits in Minutes, writes: "The shorter you are, the less leg there is above the top of the boot, when wearing footwear that ends above the knee. A very high heel helps to give the illusion of height, but when there is much more boot visible than leg; the effect is to optically foreshorten you."

Laced leather boots were fashionable throughout the Victorian era for women. By the end of the 19th century, over the knee length laced leather boots were becoming a trend among London prostitutes wanting a style that would appeal to foot fetishists and clients interested in finding a dominatrix.

Kinky boots, also referred to as fetish boots, are boots made typically with patent leather and high stiletto heels. Their extreme characteristics intended to present a dramatic sexy appearance, such as by a prostitute or dominatrix. Characteristics often include very high heels, thigh or crotch high length, or unusual colors or materials. Boots of this type, and specifically the thigh high leather boots worn by Honor Blackman in her role as Cathy Gale in The Avengers, are referred to in the 1964 song "Kinky Boots" by Blackman and her Avengers co star Patrick Macnee.

Givenchy kicked off the thigh boot trend conspicuously out of season in early 2009 with a western style thigh boot in black leather.

Fendi supported the thigh boot cause in Autumn 2008 with a chunky suede boot that featured a metallic leather accent around the ankle of the boot and at the top of the heel. The boot was carried by several different retail outlets and was available in black, brown, taupe, and gray.

Karl Lagerfeld styled all of his designs in the Autumn 2006 Chanel collection with thigh boots. The boots were finished in a variety of materials, including black suede and different shades of blue denim.

Karl Lagerfeld showed the Chanel black leather thigh boot with many of his Autumn 2005 designs that actress Anne Hathaway later wore in The Devil Wears Prada, which made her a fashion icon.

Narciso Rodriguez created a stir in Autumn 2003 when almost half the models in his ready to wear show were wearing thigh boots with his clothing line. The boots featured four inch heels and pointed toes. Phoebe Philo at Chloé showed leather and suede thigh boots in several colors, including red and green, in addition to the more typical black and brown.

Roberto Cavalli showed many of his designs in Autumn 2001 with thigh boots. The boots featured four inch heels and pointed toes.

Thigh high boots have been worn by many celebrities in recent years. Ariana Grande has incorporated many styles of thigh high boots into her signature look. Because of this many articles were published advertising thigh high boots, resulting in a surge of demand for the item. This could also be linked to the fact that the years of 2018–2019 saw a trend of popular 90's trends becoming fashionable again.

Thigh boots as articles of fetish clothing date back to at least the 1950s when Irving Klaw used them in the costuming of the women in his erotic photography. Since that time, they have been a staple of fetish and adult photography. For instance, Bob Guccione photographed the 1982 Penthouse Pet of the Year, Corinne Alphen, in a pair of black leather thigh boots for her feature layout. Similarly, Dwight Hooker photographed the Playboy 25th Anniversary Playmate, Candy Loving, in white leather over the knee boots for her layout. Until the 2000s, fetish thigh boots were generally distinguished from fashion boots by being more extreme in many design dimensions, particularly heel height and platform height. In the late 2000s, this trend slowly changed as some couture designers, particularly Christian Louboutin, experimented with more extreme designs in their shoes. Consequently, the difference between the two now is more a function of the materials used. In particular, fetish thigh boots tend to be constructed of polyurethane (PU) or vinyl (often incorrectly referred to as patent leather). In addition, they are generally produced in China and sold at low cost. Some European cobblers have specialized in higher priced thigh boots for the fetish market.