Fall is right around the corner – meaning it’s time to dig around the back of your closet to find your favorite boots. While we think boots work in any season, they’re a footwear staple that comes into its own during fall.
With the always-changing weather and unpredictability of the season, you want a shoe that can take you through a rainstorm, snow, and everything in between.
Fall boots are a worthwhile investment, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to find the perfect pair. With dozens of styles available, you’re sure to find one that complements your unique shape and silhouette.
Rosalia, Chrissy Teigen, Irina Shayk, and Elle Fanning each showcase their unique style in chic fall boots (Credit: Mega / Avalon / WENN)
Riding boots are a signature piece in the ‘preppy’ fashion niche, while ankle boots are amongst the most versatile styles.
We’re looking at the fall boots that will help you transition your closet from summer to fall, whether you plan on living in dresses or relaxing in athleisure.
Stylish fall boots don’t have to come with a hefty price tag, yet they’re one of the best investments you can make for your wardrobe. If there’s one item worth treating yourself to this fall, it’s a new pair of boots.
With trends leaning toward laidback, casual aesthetics, boots are set to become an even bigger staple this season. They’re the essential accessory, adding versatility to any outfit and seamlessly transitioning through various occasions.
This guide covers the most popular boot styles for fall, including the different types you should look for. Whatever your budget, there are fall boots for you.
Top 5 Trending Fall Boots for Style and Function
While you’ll always have your classic boot styles of combat and riding boots, there are new and exciting silhouettes that promise to dominate the niche this fall.
We’re rounding up a few of the most popular fall boots we see everywhere, from the runway to our Instagram feed.
1. Tall Slouchy Boots for a Relaxed Fall Look
One dominant fall trend is tall boots with an above-the-knee silhouette, ideal for elongating the figure.
These boots typically have a slouchy aesthetic, fitting in with the more relaxed and laidback look we’ve seen across the fashion industry in recent months.
The Boyd by Proenza Schouler is made in Italy from supple black leather and features a slouchy silhouette and comfortable rounded toes
These fall boots remind you of your favorite leather trousers and act as the perfect accessories for jeans, miniskirts, and maxi dresses.
If you want to splurge, check out the Boyd boots by Proenza Schouler or the Aimee boots by Staud for a mid-tier option.
Staud’s Aimee is made from slouchy faux leather and has trendy square toes and block heels
2. Sleek Knee-High Boots for Elevated Style
Tall boots are here to leave their mark in the fall. It should come as no surprise that sleek knee-high boots are another shoe trend we’ve seen all over the runway.
They’re a classic fall staple and the perfect investment piece, whether you live in the city or are chilling in the countryside. This new style is unique because of the boots’ sleek finish.
Snakeskin-embossed leather adds Southwestern style to a pointy-toe boot silhouette lifted by a slimmed-down heel
This sleekness and distinctive shape elevate the shoes, making them evening-appropriate for extra versatility. You can easily style these boots for a night on the town or with a black skirt suit for an office-ready look.
You can jump on this trend and add texture to your fall boots with these reptile-textured Maryana tall boots by Schutz. They sit at an attainable luxury price tag, meaning you can invest in them without spending thousands of dollars on shoes.
3. Over-the-Knee Boots to Accentuate Your Silhouette
Remember what we said about tall boots being the biggest trend for fall? This silhouette is different as the boots go over the knee, giving you a more formfitting shape that hugs the curves of your legs to accentuate your silhouette.
These boots are usually made using smooth leather and have a mid-thigh rise, giving them a polished finish.
Bottega Veneta’s BV OTK boots feature an elongated Chelsea silhouette with overstated welts, slanted block heels, and the brand’s signature square toes
One of the biggest names in footwear right now is Bottega Veneta. If you’ve been searching for the perfect pair of Bottega Veneta shoes to buy, it’s your lucky day.
Their over-the-knee boots are amongst their most versatile and best-selling styles. If you want functionality without compromising style, look no further than these versatile boots.
A more affordable pair of OTK boots featuring elastication at the top and a chunky visible zip on one side
Don’t worry. You don’t need to break the bank by buying designer boots. If you don’t want to go the whole nine yards with an over-the-knee look, you can get a similar shape and silhouette with these thigh-high boots by the Swedish multinational clothing retail company H&M.
4. Bold Platform Boots for a Statement Look
It’s not just the height in the shaft that we’re looking at in the fall. One of the biggest boot trends is platform shoes. We’d like to thank Mamma Mia for making us fall back in love with platform boots and heels.
If you’re not afraid to go out of your comfort zone and try something new, this treat can give you a big reward by putting you ahead of the curve. Platform boots are a statement to the world that you’re here and mean business.
The Janna is a pair of utility-inspired boots grounded by a chunky lugged platform with an extended welt
Before buying your own platform boots, consider the practicalities and whether they suit your lifestyle.
The good thing about the platform boots trend is that you can add a platform sole to virtually every style of boots for an instant on-trend twist. If you want the over-the-knee aesthetic with a platform sole, check out the Janna boots by Franco Sarto.
Eytys’ Ortega boot features chunky platform soles that add a contemporary twist to the classic Chelsea silhouette
We also like the Eytys Ortega leather boots, which have chunky platforms and provide a contemporary twist on the classic Chelsea boot.
5. Fashion-Forward Moon Boots for Winter Adventures
Channel your inner astronaut or your favorite sci-fi movie with moon boots. While these boots may be a little more niche, as they’re not the most functional style on this list, there’s no denying they’re fashion-forward.
What we love about Moon Boots is that they capture the vision and feeling of the Fall/Winter runways.
One group of people who can take advantage of the moon boots are always going skiing as the boots were designed to be worn with each designer’s ski-wear collection.
The good news is that moon boots won’t set you back the eye-watering ticket price you’ll see elsewhere during the holiday season.
Perfect for any winter activities, the Moon Boots Snow boots have a green paneled design with logo tape detailing and front lace-up fastening
The snow boots by Moon Boots are a classic silhouette and feature everything we love about this footwear style.
If you prefer a sleeker and more contemporary look, check out The North Face’s Ozone Park waterproof boot. It jumps on the logo-mania trend while keeping the classic silhouette of the moon boots.
The Ozone Park is a sleeker pair of winter snow boots made from waterproof suede with a rich, textured, waterproof leather overlay
Essential Fall Boots Every Wardrobe Needs
It’s easy to get caught up in the trending boot styles and forget to check in with classic and timeless designs. Whatever your style aesthetic is, a classic style of boots is out there waiting for you.
These boots are the style that you’ll keep at the front of your closet, reaching for them once the temperatures start to drop.
Here are the classic and signature boots that everyone needs to look at buying in the fall:
1. Classic Chelsea Boots: Effortless Style and Comfort
We love that Chelsea boots are easy to pull on due to their elastic goring. Even when temperatures rise, Chelsea boots will see you through everything.
Chelsea boots are a versatile style of boot that works for both laid-back and dressed-up occasions. They’re an invaluable closet staple and worth investing in if you think you’ll wear them all season long.
A classic Chelsea-style boot elevated on a block heel and treaded sole
Swap up your Chelsea boots with the almond finish of these Tory Burch ankle boots. The 70mmm heel gives you extra height without being uncomfortable to wear on the go.
The Rover Chelsea boot by Rag & Bone is another lust-worthy style of fall boots everyone is talking about.
The Rover boots feature almond toes, covered elastic goring, and chunky stacked heels
2. Military Boots for a Rugged and Stylish Edge
One style of boots that makes a comeback year after year in fall is the military or combat-inspired boots.
While these boots take their inspiration from the military, they’re designed to see you through just about anything. If you’re hiking or dealing with snow, these military boots will see you through everything.
Don’t be afraid to juxtapose the masculine silhouette of your friend’s outfit with the sleek finish of the table when we’re done at the restaurant. You can add a feminine twist to your military boots by styling them with a skirt or mini dress for a fun twist.
If regular military and combat boots are too much for you, try a style with a laceless design. You’ll get all the functionality of traditional Chelsea boots but with a more wearable silhouette for your lifestyle needs.
Sam Edelman’s Nina boots are a chic pair of combat boots with a croc-effect design at the rear, a textured stitched welt, and a low-stacked heel
Sam Edelman’s budget-friendly Nina lace-up boots are a mid-tier option for these shoes. These boots are available in classic black or white, depending on your preference.
For the ultimate road trip, we recommend trying the women’s Veronica lace-up combat boots by Frye. They’re a budget-friendly option available in five colors for ultimate versatility and wearability.
The Veronica combat boots from Frye feature a pebbled full-grain leather upper with a burnished finish
3. Western Boots: Subtle Cowboy Flair for Fall
When in doubt, go Western. We know that this trend doesn’t work for everyone. Still, it’s one of the easiest to incorporate into your December calendar, especially if you plan on heading south with your family to visit your relatives.
What we love about western-inspired boots is that they try to pack in as much investment as possible. You’ll usually find your western-inspired boots covered in intricate detailing, including embroidered leather and pointed silhouettes.
These ankle boots by Marc Fisher give you a Western-inspired aesthetic without screaming it too loudly.
They’re an understated style, perfect for someone who wants to keep their outfits as light and colorful as possible throughout the fall and autumn.
4. Knee-High Boots: Chic and Timeless Style
Our trend highlight section has already spotlighted this, but it’s worth featuring them again.
Knee-high boots are one of our absolute favorites; they seem to be your most popular style! These shoes are flying off the shelves, especially those made with crystals.
Depending on your mood and the social events on your calendar, you can style these boots with everything from a mid-length dress to jeans and a t-shirt.
Square toes bring a contemporary look to these supple knee-high boots that feature a streamlined silhouette
We’re dreaming of these ‘Olly’ knee-high boots by Sam Edelman, which have a square toe for a contemporary look and feel.
5. Sleek Sock Booties: Flattering Fit for Any Look
Sock booties – also known as stretch boots – are amongst the most versatile and easy-to-style boots for fall. If you’re looking for transitional boots you can wear every season, look no further. These boots are the perfect style for you.
They’re universally flattering and fit tightly against your ankle for a tailored, sleek look. As they’re slimmer, these boots help to show off the smallest part of your leg. You can style your sock booties with everything from dresses and skirts to denim jeans.
A flattering pair of boots made from textured re-knit fabric with chic rib detailing and comfy heels
If you want sock booties with a sustainable twist, the Glove Boot from American clothing retailer Everlane is a must-have style for your closet. If you prefer a more laid-back aesthetic and a calmer lifestyle, you can also pick these boots up in toffee or white.
Just like that, we’ve covered all the must-have boot styles and trends for fall. Boots are the perfect investment if you’re looking to shake up your closet but don’t know where to start.
Flat shoes are a must-have whether you’re buying cocktail or maxi dresses. Which of these fall boot trends will you be trying out?