The Must-Have Boots For Winter

FEATURE: QUICK READ

Words by Eleanor Hibberd

The dip in temperature isn’t all doom and gloom. When the mercury plummets, so too does one’s pedicure bill, and cold mornings herald our favourite time of year: boots season. Step firmly into it with the best pairs to buy now.

Ankles Aweigh

A good pair of ankle boots is our feet’s equivalent to a loyal best friend. Stompy soles remain very much en vogue at Chloé, The Row, Alexander McQueen and more, while Totême, Roger Vivier and Carel lean into footwear’s return to more low-key silhouettes, needing only a simple block heel to put their pairs on the map.

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Middle Ground

What started with the cowboy boot (more on that later) has evolved into a class all of its own – neither ankle nor knee-high, the mid-calf boot is the Goldilocks of the shoe world. Whether it’s the viral buckled biker-boot trend at Miu Miu, slouchy styles at Paris Texas and Loewe or wide-leg silhouettes at Amina Muaddi, Givenchy and Jil Sander, these are some of the coolest pairs to be seen in this season.

Go West

Spotted on certified trendsetters Kendall Jenner, FKA Twigs, Emily Ratajkowski and more, cowboy boots have made their way out of Nashville to become the ultimate cool-girl shoe. More brands than ever are weighing in on the trend this season, though Isabel Marant, Paris Texas and Ganni – all early adopters – remain the names to know.

Knees Up

Behind every well-heeled woman, there’s a knee-high boot – a style that steps up the game of any ensemble, be it a midi dress or mini skirt. Givenchy’s Shark Lock boots – a favourite of the 2010s – have made a monumental comeback in recent years, sparking a trend for the edgy fold-over look. Meanwhile point-toe, stiletto styles at Diesel and Stuart Weitzman are as Y2K as they come, while Burberry, Gucci and Valentino Garavani keep things timeless with sleek riding boots.

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Thigh’s the Limit

If you’re not yet ready to abandon bare legs altogether, over-the-knee boots will be your autumn shoe salvation. AW23 is less about the second-skin look and more about oversized slouchiness, as seen on the runways at Stella McCartney, Loewe, Burberry and more. That said, when evenings call for something more streamlined, a thigh-high sock boot from the likes of Gedebe and Jimmy Choo will make an edgy alternative to hosiery.

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Hot on the Heels

Ballet flats may be back in favour, but there’s no shortage of height where this season’s boots are concerned. Loewe, Bottega Veneta and Salvatore Ferragamo make a focal point out of their heels with unique design signatures, while Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin can always be relied upon for the quintessential heeled boot – an investment that will see you through the seasons.

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