Last Wednesday, I was on a seven-hour flight back to London. When I landed, I received some very bad news. In fashion terms, nightmare news. The Totême Wide Shaft boots I had waited patiently for, signed up for, and marked in my diary had landed online while I was in the air. By the time I touched down at Heathrow, checked my emails and saw they’d arrived – they’d sold out. Just two hours after going live. The horror!
I shouldn’t be surprised, of course. The Wide Shaft boots are quickly becoming the cult hit of the winter. They have their own waiting list, and every time a pair is posted on the Totême Instagram account, the comments section is bombarded with heart and fire emojis, plus endless questions from hungry followers about where and when they can get them. 'I’m very flattered by the success, they deserve it,’ says Totême founder, Swedish blogger-turned-designer Elin Kling.
But why have these black knee-high boots become such a thing in a season where you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to black knee-high boots? Founded in 2014 by Kling and her husband Karl Lindman, Totême has garnered a loyal (and super stylish) following of smart women with its pared-back classics with a twist. ‘Our mission is to create the perfect wardrobe, with calculated pieces and go-to uniforms inspired by our woman’s life,’ says Kling. The Wide Shaft boots exemplify this narrative.
‘When I buy boots, I’m very specific about the shape. I like classic styles with a modern edge,’ continues Kling. ‘I was missing a statement boot for fall and winter, smart enough to lift an evening look’. Indeed, you can imagine wearing these with just about anything. They’re are a canny design: simple enough to be considered a classic (making that investment price tag earn its worth in potential cost-per-wear value), with enough design tweaks – the squared, elongated toe, the extra-wide leg – to elevate them to statement status. They chime with this season’s prevailing 1970s mood, without feeling like a literal homage to the era.
For what it’s worth, I’d say it’s the roomy leg that offers the particular point of difference. Partly because it makes them perfect for wearing over trousers but also because, let’s be real, buying boots can be a nightmare for fitting the calf, and these are loose enough to accommodate most of us.
And then, as is the case with most pieces that generate this kind of feverish excitement, you can thank (or blame – depending on your perception) the social media effect. ‘We’ve showed them styled in lots of different ways on Instagram,’ says Kling. ‘I think it’s great to give inspiration like that’. Mega influencers Pernille Teisbaek and Giorgia Tordini have helped propel the hype, wearing theirs with bare legs to Paris Fashion Week in September. Kling, who is the brand’s best ambassador and who wears hers tucked into jeans or with a pencil skirt, has also helped amp up the anticipation.
But there is good news. The boots are back online today for their second drop. That said, if you run into me this winter and I’m not wearing them, I’d suggest you approach with caution – I’ll be in a very bad mood.
SHOP: The Best Calf Boots That Will Actually Fit
SHOP: The best wide-calf fit boots
1 of 12& Other Stories, Chunky Knee High Leather Boots, £205
2 of 12Duo Boots, Knee high classic leather riding boots, £225
3 of 12Manolo Blahnik, Luchino Black Calf Leather Knee High Boots, £995
4 of 12River Island, Red wide fit high block heel boots, WAS £65 NOW £45.50
5 of 12Raid at ASOS, Wide Fit Dileni pull on knee boots in chestnut, £44.99
6 of 12M&S, Leather Buckle Knee High Boots, WAS £99 NOW £69.30
7 of 12Isabel Marant, Litz suede and leather knee-high boots, £875
8 of 12Legres, Lace-up knee-high leather combat boots, £660
9 of 12Zara, Flat Leather Boots, £149
10 of 12H&M, Knee high Boots, £49.99
11 of 12Arket, High-Shaft Chunky Leather Boots, £290
12 of 12Zara, Rubberised Flat Boots, £55.99
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