Clamdiggers with knee-high boots
September 29th, 2008Clamdiggers with knee-high boots eliminate “tucking-fuss” and are quite a hip expression if the variables are right. This is not a flop-proof look: The clamdiggers need to be long-ish, and the boots have to fit snugly against the calf. Here are some “dos” and “don’ts” for the combination:
- Tucking? Yes. You can tuck if the clamdiggers are long enough. YLF Forum member Sarah did a super job of tucking clamdiggers into her new, killer riding boots.
- Above the knee clams? Maybe. I don’t think the look will work as well with above-the-knee clamdiggers. But it’s definitely worth a bash if you own a pair of clams and a set of fairly casual knee-high boots.
- Walk shorts or cropped pants? Not really. These are not ideal substitutes for clamdiggers in this formula. You’re after “the skinny jeans vibe”, sans the skinny jeans, which makes anything wider at the hems a less current look.
- Turning up the hems? Not really. You’re after a long lean line, so turning up clamdigger hems is not a good idea. Keep them either tucked or un-tucked.
I wore clams with knee high boots last season and I’m sporting the look again. Comfy, funky and practical in the Seattle rain because your jeans don’t get wet. My clams are best un-tucked and I show a bit of skin with my slightly shorter pair of brown embroidered boots (picture 3 below). That’s okay. It looks a little cheeky and I like that.
(1) Weatherproof half ‘n half low wedged boots (microfiber and cracked patent), (2) Riding boots, (3) Retro embroidered boots, (4) 20 eyelet Doc Martens .
September 29th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Very interesting idea Angie! I would have never thought of wearing clamidggers un-tucked with boots. I might give it a try.
You have a gorgeous assortment of boots!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:25 am
I have a pair of tweed, clamdigger-length, cuffed pants that I wore the past two years with funky wedge heeled boots. I was wondering whether this style was still “in” or going out. I had fun wearing them. But, they are still in storage because I had my doubts they were still in style. Are they?
September 29th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Love those Doc Martens with the denim clams!
And of course they look hot with your gorgeous gams.
I like this look and wearing boots this way.
Maybe I’ll sport it tomorrow, Tuesday.
love,
m!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:41 am
thanks for this idea Angie, and for the do’s and dont’s. So helpful!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:57 am
What a neat idea. I’ll definitely give it a try. I’ll have to see if I can sport it since I’m fairly tall and my clamdiggers might be a tad too short. Thanks for the helpful hints!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:02 am
I love the look in photo #2 Angie!
What do you think of wider legged clamdiggers with boots that hug the calf? I’ve worn wider legged wide wale corduroy clamdiggers (in chocolate brown) with a smooth camel coloured leather pointy-toed high-heeled boot before….is this look too passé?
Separate from that question, what do you think about slim legged clamdiggers (like the pair that you are wearing) with high heeled boots?
Love to hear your thoughts ladies!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Thank you Tanya and Meredith! You’d both look fab sporting this look.
Shiny, I’m not sure about your tweed cropped pants. It’s a hit or miss. Antje has a pair of hounds tooth pedal pushers that we paired with her biker boots and bomber jacket and it worked. It looked super hip and funky. You might need to experiment. The look is not going to fly with a pair of classic boots. You’ll have to add an edge. Know what I mean, jellybean? (love that expression, Nicole).
September 29th, 2008 at 8:09 am
I’ve never seen this before, but I think it looks good. I’ll try it. A couple of questions– when you sit, does the skin show? Do the clams stay put over the boots? Are your riding boots for tucking too or do they sit right against your calf?
Last year I saw several people wearing cropped pants that were not skinny over their boots, probably a few inches longer than your clams. What do you think of this style?
September 29th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Angie, I’ve held off buying boots in anticipation of this post and hopefully posts and pictures of forum members because this is foreign territory for me. I don’t even see many women here sporting this look. Maybe it’s because our winters are usually dry. It appeals to me because of the smart casualness and comfort for fussy cold feet.
I hadn’t thought to wear the clamdiggers untucked. My favorite of your boot looks is the Doc Martens. I needed to hear the snug-to-the-calf advice for boots. Ladies, bring on your photos so my eye can become more discerning about this look!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Well, I only have one pair of (turned-up) clamdiggers and probably won’t get more anytime soon just because it’s so hard to find any that fit me, but this is making me feel better about my desire to get more knee-high boots.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:31 am
!!! Absolutely amazing idea!!! Must try this out! :O Thank you, Angie, for giving me a fashion experiment to look forward to!
September 29th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I forgot to ask something about this look: is it OK to wear tights under the clams, for example opaque black if the boots are black? This would only be visible when one sits down.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:06 am
This is news to me! I would have never thought that you could pair knee high boots with untucked clams. Hmmm, interesting and it looks good, but I think I still prefer the tucked in look better. It doesn’t rain too much in my neck of the woods so its ok!
September 29th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I’m happy you’re excited to try something new.
Theresa, clamdiggers are always narrow at the hem (like skinnies). I suspect you’re referring to cropped pants or gauchos. You might know how I feel about the corduroy aspect of your pants, and as far as the “wide” part goes – it’s passé to wear that look with boots. You’re after a sleek look for sure.
Clamdiggers can work with a chunky higher heel. Make sure you don’t look like you’re “toppling over” though. Skinny high heels can have this effect.
Patience, your skin shows when you sit down. Sweet! My clams stay put over the boots and don’t “get caught” because the boots are snug against my calf. You know I don’t like to fuss, Patience! When my outfit is on, it’s on and that’s it for the day. “Effortless”.
My riding boots are for tucking too, because they have a fastening at the back of the calf that adjusts the calf width. I can sport both looks with my riding boots. They are like slippers. I LOVE all my boots! My feet are SO happy in boots! Bring on boot season!
Tanya, I suppose you could wear opaques under this look. I’d personally feel uncomfortable wearing any form of hose under jeans, but it you’re not – give it a bash.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
the embroidered boots are beautiful. where are they from? do they survive rain or are they only for dry days.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Angie, is it too late in the season to track down a pair of clamdiggers? Any recommendations on where to look?
September 29th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Interesting. I prefer the look of tucking skinnies to untucked clams, but this is definitely practical. Thanks for the tips on how to make it work. I saw a girl in the mall the other day with clams above the knee and boots, and that look just didn’t work for me.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:15 am
I love the look with the docs-cute! But I still prefer wearing crops with my boots. The clams tend to be iritating to me somehow b/c they rub on the top of my boots.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Very cute look! I will have to pass, however, because I have not been able to find a pair of knee high boots that are comfortable.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
I have clam diggers that are cuffed at the bottom so I guess this won’t work with boots. I’m bummed to hear that cropped pants with boots are out. Are cropped pants out period or just with boots? I really like that look and am afraid I might have to risk being passe but still sport it
September 30th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I hear you Sihaya, and was wondering whether you’d chime in. I know you love the cropped pants and gaucho look with boots. Wear what makes your heart happy, but know that “the sleek look” is current. Fashion was turned on its head two years ago (those “watershed changes” I keep on talking about). Gauchos and cropped pants are pre those changes.
Joelle! Don’t give up on boots! There isn’t a foot challenge we haven’t been able to solve yet. Post your challenge on the forum and give boots another bash. You are talking to Ms. fussy feet.
October 1st, 2008 at 5:00 am
I sported the look today: Denim clamdiggers with black biker boots (with just a sliver of skin showing in-between; Tanya, I would not recommend hose, I think it would look a little less hip). Wore a short-sleeved teal jacket over a black and white top on top. It felt interesting and fab. THanks Angie for the inspiration!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:26 am
I LOVE look #2. Brilliant! I’m so bummed now because I recently gave away my one pair of denim clamdiggers because they never looked good on me. I’m 5′4″ and they made me look stumpy. Sigh. But with riding boots - love it! I love this look enough to try to hunt down another pair of clams just to try. (Only other problem - I live in LA where it’s still in the high 90’s this week. Another sigh. I miss the fall!)
October 1st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Forgive my antipodean ignorance, but are clamdiggers and pedal pushers the same thing?? Wikepedia suggests that both those terms can be used synonymously with any type of 3/4 pants.
And what does that make “shorts” that hit the knee but have a cuff that folds up? Do they have a special name or are they just shorts? Can they be worn with boots, or are they the passe “cropped pants” that you describe above?
p.s. I recently discovered this blog and am now addicted. Such good advice and inspiration! I also have you to blame for splurging on not 1, but 2 pairs of skinny jeans yesterday. Until yesterday I’d always derided that trend, however since they were on sale I thought it wouldn’t hurt to try them on. My Mum and another lady in the shop convinced me that they work, but I’m still a bit scared to sport that look. Maybe I should post a pic in the forum for some more opinions!!!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Tamara, they are not the same where I come from. Pedal pushers are gathered at the hem (like knickerbockers). Clamdiggers are sleek.
You’re thinking of “bermuda shorts” with cuffs that fold up. They are indeed passé to wear with knee-high boots. We look forward to seeing you in your new skinnies on the forum!
October 6th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I really think that the retro embroidered boots beautiful! I guess it looks good with skinny jeans. I’m picturing it with bermuda shorts I guess it looks not okay.
December 15th, 2008 at 8:18 am
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