No Surprise: Rihanna Is the First to Debut Fall's Most Controversial Boot Trend

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, 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 of anything Rihanna wears, 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.

On Rihanna: Y/Project boots; R13 skirt; Gucci bag; Rick Owens sunglasses; Briony Raymond jewelry

Anything Staud makes becomes an instant hit.

The perfect stomping-around boots for fall and winter. 

This is what I meant by fashion waders. 

These boots will never not be cool. 

An A+ for sleekness. 

When it comes to OTK boots, you can't go wrong with a pair from Stuart Weitzman. 

It's true. I'm in love. 

The taller the boot, the better. 

Though, I'm also a fan of shorter, just-above-the-knee styles. 

This sale price won't last long. 

I'm pretty sure every WWW editor owns a pair of shoes from Vagabond. 

Iconic doesn't even begin to describe these. 

One word: wow. 

I tried on this skirt last time I was at Mango, and it was even better IRL.

This easy knit is going to sell out in no time.

This micro mini is all over the internet. 

A high-low cut I can get behind. 

The chicest. 

If you thought low-rise bottoms wouldn't last, you thought wrong.

Low-key, I'm obsessed. 

No waistband, no problem. 

This skirt looks way more expensive than it is. 

It's giving ballet vibes. 

I'm in love with this NSFW suit. 

An easy pick that you'll wear again and again.

This low-rise mini is giving me flashbacks to the early aughts. 

This color is next-level good. 

Skorts make wearing miniskirts so much easier. 

Gorgeous. 

You (and I) need. 

Next: Rihanna Wore the Sneakers That Every Fashion Person Wants to Get Their Hands On

from Who What Wear