Boots are a winter wardrobe essential.
The perfect blend of practicality, comfort and style and a versatile item for work and the weekend, the humble winter boot is the definition of a staple piece. Yet to qualify for that status, they must repel the British elements, be able to withstand years of wear and tear, and most crucially, they must look good.
The market is saturated with different styles. From platform to lace-up styles, ankle length to knee-high designs, there are ample silhouettes to peruse in order to find your dream pair.
Like any fashion fad, boots are subject to the trend cycle. Chelsea boots have remained an enduring silhouette since the 1950s but have been given a contemporary upgrade with stacked soles, pops of colour and exaggerated proportions. These included Doc Martens which exuded punk attitude and cut-out boots popularised by Balenciaga (to be borrowed later by the likes of Topshop and River Island).
While knee-high boots were ubiquitous last winter, biker boots have been designated the hottest heel candy for autumn/winter 2023. The style stomped down the runway at Miu Miu in its collection last year and its contemporaries have taken note, spewing dupes aplenty to the distressed, hardware-adorned chunky styles that will transform any summer wares into a cold weather-ready look.
You have probably seen the buckled, knee-high shoes paired with a micro skirt or jorts while scrolling through TikTok. Brands such as Acne Studios, Mango and Charles & Keith quickly hopped aboard the biker boot train, churning out more affordable renditions for all to covet.
No doubt the style is set to surpass the cowboy boot in terms of popularity for winter. May the battle of the Gen-Z shoes commence.
The key to buying a new pair of winter boots is investing. A well-crafted design made from durable, quality fabrics may come at a higher initial cost, but could save you money in the long run. Cheaper shoes are likely to fall apart in one or two seasons due to lower quality material and are never as comfortable. Save up and shell out on a pair that you will keep coming back to year after year.
Now, where to look for inspiration? Celebrities including Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner are well-versed in the art of winter boots shopping. The latter sent Instagram into meltdown when she posed for a photo just wearing a black bikini and yeti boots while knee-deep in snow. Zendaya had a similar effect on social media, when she kicked up a storm in tiger-stripe Louis Vuitton heeled boots.
Lady Gaga famously wore Alexander McQueen’s iconic Armadillo boots during the music video for her 2009 single Bad Romance, cementing the treacherously tall silhouette in the fashion history books. Sometimes, boots are not made for walking.
If you still need a helping hand, that’s where we come in. Here are the best winter boots for women to treat yourself to this season.
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Miu Miu Studded Leather Knee-high Boots
Get ahead of the fashion curb and invest in Miu Miu’s boots of the moment. Featuring stacked heels, squared toes and Western-inspired buckles set on buttery brown leather, these boots will assert your fashion prowess.
Buy now £1800.00, My Theresa
Mango Buckle Ankle Boots
Mango has joined the list of labels creating their own take on Miu Miu’s biker boots. These buckled ankle boots are heading straight on our wishlist, courtesy of their faded coffee colour, rounded toe and 100 per cent leather construction.
Buy now £139.99, Mango
Miista Dahlia Boots
We could quite happily live in Miista boots alone. The brand’s Dahlia boots caught our eye, thanks to their square toe, brushed brown leather panels and statement beige seams. Pair yours with a long denim maxi skirt to tap into the 90s fashion revival.
Buy now £200.00, Office
Moon Boot Icon Low 2 Lace-up Nylon Ankle Snow Boots
Hit the slopes in style with ankle-length Moon Boots. The iconic skiwear brand stocks a range of colours from orange to lilac, but these cream dreams, inspired by the 1969 lunar landing, are truly out of this world - and they’ve been given the Dua Lipa seal of approval.
Buy now £150.00, Moon Boot
Diesel D-Eclipse Logo-plaque Boots
Complete your Charlie’s Angels aesthetic with Diesel's sassy slip-ons which feature the brand’s Y2K logo plaque and a sharp point-toe. With a patent finish and a slim high heel, it is no surprise that these boots have flown off the shelves since stepping off the runway.
Buy now £495.00, Farfetch
Charles & Keith Metallic Buckled Knee-High Boots
An immediate add-to-bag situation, Charles & Keith’s affordable biker boots are the epitome of temptation. Whether the aesthetic you are looking for is rock-chic supremo or Depop aficionado, these biker babe boots will do the trick.
Buy now £129.00, Charles & Keith
L.K. Bennett Arabella Bordeaux Crinkle Patent Lace Up Ankle Boots
Throw it back to the 18th century with L.K. Bennett’s charming lace-up boots in a radiant crimson hue. A pair that has been on our wish list for quite some time, these shoes look beautiful when matched with an ethereal midi skirt and blouse. Femininity at its finest.
Buy now £399.00, L.K. Bennett
& Other Stories Leather Riding Boots
Riding boots are back and more popular than ever, breaking out of the stables. & Other Stories’ sleek brown knee-high boots look elegant when teamed with a chic pleated skirt or longline jumper dress for cosy office days in a post-work drinks out.
Buy now £239.00, & Other Stories
Free People Jones Lug Sole Lace Up Boots
Lace-up offerings like Free People’s Jones Lug Sole boots have long been subculture essentials. The knee-high design is simply stomp-tastic and is beloved by stars such as Olivia Rodrigo and Holly Humberstone who ooze punk princess attitude.
Buy now £188.00, Free People
Isabel Marant Duerto Cutout Suede Knee-high Boots
Who said cowboy boots were just for summer? Isabel Marant’s beautifully made Western boots will complement any monochrome outfit with ease. Note the Cuban heels and floral topstitched motifs that pepper the shoes with intrigue.
Buy now £795.00, Matches
Vagabond Vivian Boots
Go hell for leather with Vagabond’s racy red leather boots coined the Vivian. The shoes adopt a sassy pointed heel, an easy-wear zip-fastening, block heels and decorative seams. Wear yours with baggy blue jeans for a sophisticated yet effortless aesthetic.
Buy now £165.00, Vagabond
Camper BCN Boots
This season, the chunkier, the better. So these stompers from Camper deserve to be on your radar. The shoes have a sturdy yet contemporary silhouette and a patent black colourway. A thick, ribbed outsole is complemented by a rounded toe, a voluminous silhouette and a padded inner sole. The ideal puddle-proof pair.
Buy now £240.00, Camper
Burberry Leather Saddle Low Boots
Saddle boots are dominating TikTok and for good reason. Burberry’s aubergine rendition incorporates buckle detailing, a buttery leather design and polished metal hardware.
Buy now £1590.00, Burberry
Maison Margiela Tabi Boots
Margiela’s Tabi Boots are arguably one of the most iconic boots ever created. The split-toe shoes first debuted at the brand's very first runway show in 1989 and have been a best-seller ever since. They boast supple ebony leather, an ankle design and a chunky cylindrical heel.
Buy now £990.00, Net-A-Porter
