Lace Knee High Boots Outfit: How I Would Style My Steve Madden Black Lace Boots

I opened this box at my window in Miami and the first thing I did was hold the boot up to the light. The lace is the whole point. It is a sheer black floral lace over the entire shaft, with a corset style lace-up down the front, a pointed toe and a slim stiletto heel. This is the boot I would build a fall outfit around.

What do lace knee-high boots actually go with?

Because the boot is the statement, I keep everything else simple. Here is how I would style it:

• Black on black: a fitted black dress or a mini skirt and a clean black top. The lace shows up more when it is not competing with a print.
• Soft neutrals: cream, white or camel on top. You will see I am wearing a cream long sleeve in the video, and it makes the black lace pop.
• Denim: a straight leg pair that skims the top of the boot, if you want it dressed down without losing the look.
• Skirts and dresses: a hem that lands above the knee shows off the full length of the lace, which is the best part.

My rule is one loud thing per outfit. If the boots are loud, the bag, jewelry and jacket stay quiet.

What does the lace-up front look like up close?

The front is laced like a corset, so you can see the black lacing through the sheer panel. In the video I hold the shaft open so you can see how the lace layer sits over the lacing. The toe is pointed with a darker cap, and the heel is a slim stiletto.

One honest note: this was an unboxing, so I have not walked a full day in them yet. I will tell you how they feel once I have. I would rather say that than make up a comfort review from a box.

Which Steve Madden boots are these exactly?

These are the Steve Madden Maxine in black lace. I linked the exact listing above and below, because there are a lot of lookalike lace boots out there and I only want you buying the one in my video. Sizing is the thing to check on the listing before you order, since lace and stiletto styles can run differently from your usual sneaker size.

If you are shopping for the same look, search the full name, Steve Madden Maxine black lace, and match it to the listing I linked. Check the heel height and the closure on the product page before you order, and read the size notes there too.

Who this is not for

These are not for you if you need a flat, cushioned boot you can stand in all day. A stiletto heel is a stiletto heel. They are also not for you if you like a plain, quiet shoe, because the sheer lace is meant to be seen. And if you need a lot of room through the calf, look at the sizing details on the listing first, since I have not tested the fit on different calf sizes.

If you want a fall boot that does the work for you, this is my pick from this box.