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For girls’ fashion, autumn/winter is widely regarded as the best sartorial season of all. I mean, these months provide the perfect climate for maximum hive optimization. You can layer your favorite warm-weather clothes into cozy outfits, not to mention your entire jacket collection will finally come back to life: nothing is off the table.
That said, the most joyful sartorial aspect of the season is fashion’s annual return autumn and winter boots. Chelsea boots, over-the-knee boots, ankle boots and UGG boots are all styles we collectively return to year after year. Beloved for their wearability and innate statement-making abilities, these shoes are considered the GOATs every fall and winter.
As always, these basic pieces return, but this year there are also several new styles on the menu. For one, motorcycle boots are back and awaken from a ten-year sleep to take center stage again. The classic riding boot is also experiencing a revival, offering a modern take on the 2010s Pinterest aesthetic of yesteryear. In the meantime, cowboy boots have become a must-have style that no shoe collection is complete without.
All this is to say: there are a lot of iterations to choose from. And now that the new year is here, it’s time to refresh and refine your personal collection. Ahead, I invite you to check out these and more types of stylish boots.
Platform boots
Christian Vierig – Getty Images
Platform boots are a bad bitch’s best friend. They’re inherently sharp, punk, and surprisingly functional, thanks to the extra grip from the chunky sole (I wear mine instead of snow boots). Knee-high socks, ankle boots, even over-the-knee boots: no shoe style can be improved with a flat sole.
Try these:
ASOS DESIGN Carmen chunky flat knee boots
ASOS
$69.99 at ASOS
BIRCH CLAY BLACK
Steve Madden
$129.95 at stevemadden.com
Jessica Simpson Ulalie platform boot
Northstream
$96.75 at nordstrom.com
BCN black leather Chelsea boots
Camper
$220.00 at camper.com
Cowboy boots
Mauricio Santana – Getty Images
Beyoncé didn’t do that technical invent this one, but she might as well have done that. Come on, Cowboy Carter? That plus the coastal cowgirl trend… It’s safe to say that Western-inspired shoes have taken over the fashion world. Usually these are made of durable leather, with intricate and ornate reliefs and embroidery. Pointed toe styles are the most popular, but you can also purchase square toes.
Try these:
The Annie star
$395.00 at tecovas.com
Heritage R Toe StretchFit western boot
Ariat
$169.95 at ariat.com
Cowboy Platform Knee High Boots – Dark Brown
Charles Keet
$103.00 at charleskeith.com
Dagget western boots
Free people
$270.00 at freepeople.com
UGG boots
Raimonda Kulikauskiene – Getty Images
Okay, this is a brand name and not technical a shoe style, but UGG has more than earned its place on this list. It made the round-toe padded shoe style famous and now it’s completely ubiquitous. These boots are usually lined with thick fur and have a suede exterior, for optimal insulation and comfort.
Try these:
Classic Chillapeak for women
$250.00 at ugg.com
Classic New Heights genuine shearling cuffable boot
Northstream
$130.00 at nordstrom.com
Classic long TrailGazer for women
UGG
$240.00 at UGG
All Genders Classic Mini Pumped Diecast
UGG
$200.00 at UGG
Knee-high boots
Raimonda Kulikauskiene – Getty Images
Knee-high boots are really in the era of the main character. These are one of them (if not the) trendiest boot designs of the moment, which successfully climbed the fashion ranks until achieving complete market dominance. You can shop them in every imaginable fabric, from leather and suede to snakeskin, leopard print, crocodile skin and more.
Try these:
Lalita foldable boot
$199.99 at marcfisherfootwear.com
Kenneth Cole Utah knee high pointed toe boot
Northstream
$149.40 at nordstrom.com
Stuart Weitzman Xcurve 85MM Textured Slouch Knee High Boots
Saks OUT 5th
$399.99 at saksoff5th.com
Nine West Rhoreee knee high boot in silver
Northstream
$84.50 at nordstrom.com
Combat boots
Claudio Lavenia – Getty Images
Combat Boots are basically the chill older sister of the pop punk platform. Inspired by OG military boots, these feature a lace-up front closure and a round toe, usually made from black leather. They go well with girls’ dresses and mini skirts.
Try these:
Round toe ankle boots with lace-up ribbed sole (Florence)
$159.00 at vivia.com
Elliot combat boot
Sam Edelman
$124.99 at samedelman.com
Sinclair faux fur lined Buttero platform boots
Dr. Martens
$153.99 at $153.99 AT DR. MARTENS
Ada combat boot
Reform
$174.00 at $174 AT REFORMATION
Motorcycle boots
Mauricio Santana – Getty Images
Although motorcycle boots– also known as motorcycle boots – have been a staple of the motorcycle enthusiast crowd, well, everthey have also been the subject of interest among fashion girls for some time now. You can recognize a motorcycle boot by the round toe and the buckle details.
Try these:
Comfortable knee-high square toe engineer boot for women
$192.50 at aerosoles.com
Bullboxer Cora motorcycle boots
DSW
$39.98 at fave.co
ROCKY distressed boots
Steve Madden
$159.95 at stevemadden.com
TEAIEUI Women’s knee-high boots, square toe
Amazon
$63.99 on Amazon.com
Mid-calf boots
Christian Vierig – Getty Images
Mid-calf boot styles are both chic and practical. Because of their casual-cool design, these are perhaps the most versatile options on the list. You can wear them with almost anything, during almost any season.
Try these:
Sarto Amari mid-height boot
Franco Sarto
$103.99 at francosarto.com
Italian leather riding boots
Quince
$198.00 at quince.com
Sarto Amari mid-height boot
Franco Sarto
$103.99 at francosarto.com
Blaze pull-on boots
Free people
$268.00 at freepeople.com
The Dimes Kitten Heel Knee Boots
Madewell
$239.99 at madewell.com
Blaze pull-on boots
Free people
$268.00 at freepeople.com
Chelsea boots
Christian Vierig – Getty Images
Chelsea boots are a stylish unisex shoe style that is loved by everyone. They usually hit mid-calf or ankle height and are usually categorized by the stretchy panel on each side of the shoe. This panel acts as a chic design detail and also makes it easy to put on.
Try these:
The Idris ankle boot
Madewell
$188.00 at fave.co
AZALEA WANG Heartthrob Water Resistant Faux Fur Chelsea Boot
Northstream
$99.00 at nordstrom.com
Laguna weatherproof boot
Zappos
$149.99 at zappos.com
The Taylor
Tecovas
$151.20 at tecovas.com
Riding boots
Edward Berthelot – Getty Images
Riders did it first! But now the horse girl aesthetic is here to stay, just like these knee-high flat boots. Although they were originally made for *real* riding, they look just as good on the subway.
Try these:
Jessie knee high riding boots
Naturalizer
$159.95 at nordstrom.com
Loreina
ALDO
$144.98 at aldoshoes.com
Emerson riding boots
Free people
$248.00 at freepeople.com
The riding boot
Everlane
$159.00 at everlane.com
Ankle boots
Mauricio Santana – Getty Images
Ankle boots are the miniskirt’s best friend. The two go hand in hand and work together to show off every inch of those legs. The designs vary, from olive green stilettos to styles with thick lug soles; also Chelsea boots are considered ankle boots, ICYWW.
Try these:
Mix no. 6 Tasea boot
DSW
$49.99 at fave.co
Crocodile boot with ankle chain
Anna Taylor
$189.88 at fave.co
Leather pointed ankle boots
MANGO
$139.99 at fave.co
Franco Sarto Alberta boot
Northstream
$120.00 at nordstrom.com
Thigh boots
Mauricio Santana – Getty Images
Easily the most striking boot type on the list, these babies are by definition daring – and only for the brave at heart. Solid colored styles are the easiest to style, but you can choose from heeled, flat or platform versions if you’re feeling really feisty.
Try these:
Jeffrey Campbell Overlook over the knee boots
Northstream
$229.95 at nordstrom.com
ALINA CITY BOOT
Stuart Weitzman
$239.00 at fave.co
Logan over the knee boots
Anthropology
$225.00 at anthropologie.com
Schutz Ashlee mid-height boot over the knee
$298.00 at revolve.com
Why trust Cosmo:
Cosmo’s team of fashion experts, including a senior director of commerce Rachel Torgersonsenior accessories editor Andrea Zendejasand fashion editor Danielle Flum– have decades of experience in the industry. They spot relevant trends on the runway before they even hit your TikTok FYP or Insta Explore page and research all kinds of retailers to bring you the best clothing and accessory choices for every season. Basically, we’ve put together a chic corner of the internet for you like it’s our job (because it is, heh).
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