If you are not currently living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that over-the-knee boots are everywhere: From the runway to Vogue to every style guide you’ve read on fall trends, over-the-knee boots are consistently named as the must-have footwear for fall 2009.

But, if you’re like me, you’re the teensiest bit uncertain that you can actually carry off OTK boots: Maybe they’re best left to women who go by one name, like Madonna, or Shakira. And, for some reason I keep thinking about the lamp in A Christmas Story — this may not be a good sign. With all this to worry about, are OTK boots really a trend worth embracing?

To get to the heart of this, let’s first take a look at what the top-tier designers are doing, and see if those looks translate to boots that you might actually wear.

In the designer world, the iconic OTK boots are the stunning gray, strap-wrap boots that Nicholas Kirkwood did for the Rodarte runway in February. Cutting edge, and completely edgy, these boots pretty much stole the show. Stella McCartney also dazzled with similar thigh-highs, notable because they were entirely vegan. Prada has followed these designers’ lead, with simple, butter-soft boots that reach very high on the leg, while other designers have contributed entries that have more hardware (Christian Louboutin), animal print (Stuart Weitzman and Giuseppe Zanotti), and, believe it or not, a drawstring (Manolo Blahnik).

Do these looks translate to more affordable options, that might even be a functioning component of your wardrobe? Let’s take a look.

• High shaft: OTK boots that reach very high on your leg (similar to the Nicholas Kirkwood model) provide a streamlined look, and actually serve as a substitute for leggings and even pants (really). Good choices here are LD Tuttle The Shaper ($816), Via Spiga Nevin ($398), and Kelsi Dagger Briallen ($220).
• Fierce: OTK boots that are adorned with studs, buckles, and other hardware combine two of this fall’s hottest trends, to create a true statement boot. Good choices here are Kelsi Dagger Rianna ($190),
  DKNY DKNYc Jada ($275), and the Juicy Couture Honey ($500).
• Flat: Flat OTK boots that reach just over the knee are the most practical choice, and are likely to become a hard-working component of your weekend wardrobe. Good choices here are the
  Stuart Weitzman Mezzo ($535), 7 For All Mankind Galley ($550), and Lucky Brand Gwen ($239).

(These are only a fraction of the options you have for OTK boots — we have 30 pages of OTK boots you can browse over on our sister site, BuyFantasticShoes.com.)

So many great choices, right? It’s time now to figure out how to integrate OTK boots into your wardrobe. The general wisdom is that OTK boots are best worn over leggings or extremely skinny jeans. If you’re lucky enough to be able to carry it off, they’re also smashing when paired with extremely short and very tight skirts. Rodarte showed the Nicholas Kirkwood boots with short, flouncy dresses to great acclaim.

And, OTK boots are not just for super-skinny Amazonian undergrads, so stop worrying that you’re too short, too fat, or too old to wear them.

• If you’re short, you can elongate your look by matching the boots to whatever you’re wearing them with. Simple advice, that pretty much applies to other footwear decisions as well.
• If you’re worried that OTK boots won’t fit over your thighs, just make sure that the boots you shop for come equipped with a lycra panel, or otherwise incorporate one of those man-made stretchy materials that come in so handy.
• If you feel like you’re too old to wear OTK boots, I say it’s time to stop thinking like that, and give OTK boots a try. They’re available in myriad styles, materials, and heel and shaft heights – you may just find a pair you love that will inject some panache into your wardrobe.

Be brave, and embrace the OTK boot trend! I think you’ll be happy you did. Post your thoughts on OTK boots on Twitter — just use hashtag #OTKBoots so we can access them. We’re publishing the stream here.