Tara King’s debut in cream playsuit

Tara King’s thigh high boots

While Diana Rigg as Mrs Peel is my favourite (and her clothes), a few things from Tara King’s wardrobe have been on my wish list. The late Sixties fashion Tara wears generally have a Seventies feel, with garish colour combinations, brown, mini skirts and wide collars, which I don’t wear. I like the purple Palazzo pants and the mustard pair Tara wears with a purple wrapover top.

Channelling Tara King

Sixties glam

Big sparkly studs and false eyelashes

Blue and navy wrapover top and Palazzo pants

Tie at back wrapover top

The evening dresses are pretty, and also the Edwardian outfits in the episode Pandora. For similar inspiration see my post on The Assassination Bureau.

Before the Sixties were over, however, there was one brief moment where thigh high boots were set to replace the need for stockings and tights. Tights reigned supreme though, easy to change, cheap to buy multiple colours and patterns, with the added bonus of modesty with ever decreasing hemlines.

Possibly designed by David Evins

Pierre Cardin

Pierre Cardin

Vicky Hodge in thigh high boots, 1968

Sixties pop culture

Now some features of this era are back on the high street, like playsuits and over-the-knee boots, I redoubled my efforts to find thigh high boots. Only, I had specifications. They must fit well like Tara’s.

• Snug on the ankle
• Stretch pull-on
• Thigh high
• Preferably leather shoe uppers (for longer lasting wear)
• Mid block heel
• Round to square toes

So many of the boots on offer are suede or suede effect, which living in a rainy country, reduces wearability drastically. I don’t want to wear boots in the Summer, but in the Winter! Also, because they are high street, the average fit is larger of ankle and narrower above the knee, which is no good for a shapely pair of pins.

My first pair I bought are over-the-knee brown suede look boots. I was so pleased to find an affordable pair I actually liked, even though they were suede. You can see them on How to Wear (Faux) Fur.

However, I am now ecstatic at finding a leather pair of thigh high boots that meet the other specs too. Now I’ll have to make the playsuit.

So, A-line cut shorts are the flattering and modest way to go with this look. I’ve tried leggings under a tunic/ mini dress, but the leg slips slowly down. Jeans have little more friction. Bare legs are no good for keeping these boots up, either. There must be a trick to it. Hairspray à la Miss Congeniality?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Fur coat and thigh high boots

Backless playsuit and thigh high boots

Playsuit and thigh high boots

Tara King inspired playsuit and thigh high boots

A few of my favourite outfits. Find a definitive breakdown of all The Avengers clothes at dissolute.au.

White evening dress

Bob and long earrings

Purple marabou dressing-gown

Southern style tuxedo