The F/W ’22 runways were stacked with trends, some tame and others a bit more shocking. Of those that fell into the latter category, probably the most controversial were the extra-wide, over-the-knee boots that seemed to appear on every single runway, from Bottega Veneta and Chanel to Acne Studios and Y/Project. Similar in shape to waders—yes, like the extra-high boots that you wear when fishing—this season’s OTK boots are far from the styles we’ve seen in the past, which makes it all the more unsurprising that Rihanna was the first celeb to wear them. After all, the Fenty founder has never been one to pick the obvious choice, especially when it comes to fashion.
Over the weekend, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were seen in New York City, where the new mom debuted a pair of thigh-high, wader-like boots from Y/Project’s even newer S/S ’23 collection. With them, she added an R13 denim miniskirt, a vintage RZA T-shirt, and a vintage Tom Ford Gucci snakeskin bag, as well as Briony Raymond jewelry and sunglasses by Rick Owens. The look, as is almost always true when it’s worn by Rihanna, was cool as ever. The boots? A sign that waders have officially walked off the runway and into the real world.
In time with their arrival, shop a few of our favorite over-the-knee boots below.
Next: Rihanna Wore the Sneakers That Every Fashion Person Wants to Get Their Hands On