While much of the Cannes Film Festival’s red carpet buzz has focused on extravagant trains and daring sheer gowns, Alexander Skarsgård made a bold statement by challenging gendered fashion norms. At the premiere of Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme on Sunday, the Swedish actor stepped onto La Croisette in a striking pair of thigh-high Saint Laurent boots—a look that flipped the script on a garment long associated with feminine allure.
Styled by Harry Lambert, the square-toe boots—straight from Saint Laurent’s Fall-Winter 2025 runway—extended nearly to Skarsgård’s upper thighs, blending dominatrix edge with utilitarian flair. The audacious choice sparked conversations about the boot’s historical roots and its evolving place in modern menswear.
From Femme Fatale to Unisex Staple
Thigh-high boots have been a cinematic symbol of female seduction for decades. Angelina Jolie cemented their sex appeal in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), pairing them with fishnets and a PVC minidress. Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman), Jane Fonda (Barbarella), and Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada) further entrenched the style as a hallmark of empowered femininity.
Yet the boot’s origins are decidedly unisex. Dating back to 15th-century Europe, thigh-highs were practical workwear for men, particularly sailors and cavalrymen. King Charles I and his Cavaliers later adopted them as status symbols, complete with heels. It wasn’t until the 1960s—amid the “Youthquake” revolution—that designers like Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent reimagined them as high-fashion statements for women.
A New Era for Menswear
Skarsgård isn’t alone in embracing the trend. Pedro Pascal wore the same Saint Laurent boots earlier this year, and brands like Rick Owens and Givenchy have introduced their own versions. As gender-fluid fashion gains momentum—from ballet flats to Mary Janes—the thigh-high boot emerges as a natural progression.
“The male leg is far less familiar in fashion, but that’s changing,” notes one stylist. Skarsgård’s Cannes moment isn’t just a style risk; it’s a nod to history and a step toward redefining contemporary masculinity.
Whether on the red carpet or the runway, the thigh-high boot is no longer just for femmes fatales—it’s for anyone daring enough to wear it.
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