Here comes the rain — we knew it would but that doesn’t lighten the blow. What might, though, is ditching the suede trainers and a morning of misery in sodden feet and slipping into something more practical. Boots, bring it on.
The bulky stomper boot, with thick soles and plenty of attitude continue their boom from last year. This season they’ve been updated with pops of colour and patent leathers — but they retain those same confidence-boosting soles. Fashion forward cowboy boots have slipped into grittier, harness-strapped bikers, while strong shearling hiking boots (also big for the coming season) have the practicality and warmth to last the winter.
Don’t worry, there is fun to be had too. Many designers have been playing around with odd heels and bold colourways. Because when the going gets tough (have you seen the news lately?), finding the fun in dressing up offers-up an antidote. These are the best boots to battle autumn/ winter 2022 in.
Surreal heels
Strange times call for stranger shoes and there are plenty of designers who agree. Leading the party is Jonathan Anderson, whose heels at Loewe come as balloons, while his eponymous label offers a sleek pointed sock boot atop his signature, gold chain link.
“If you don’t want go crazy on the boot, you go crazy on the heel,” says ES Magazine’s Style Director Jessica Skeete-Cross. “It will still blend into the rest of your outfit, but adds a little cheekiness at the back.” PÄ«feri is the place to go for high drama, vegan options. The blue satin Merlin boot has an eye-catching heel “inspired by Dalí’s surreal forms”, and helpfully are coated waterproof. When seeking the look for less, River Island do a knockout neoprene boot with a sculpted Perspex heel for £59. It’s officially Salvador season.
PÄ«feri
PÄ«feri, Merlin boot, £275 , piferi.com
River Island
River Island, heeled ankle boot, £59, riverisland.com
JW Anderson
JW Anderson, chain heel ankle boot, £655, jwanderson.com
Get high
If you’re heading out for a knees up, be sure your footwear is rising to the occasion. You can thank Gucci teaming up with Adidas for the resurgence of the good old-fashioned knee-high boot. Naturally, their pair has a sporty twist in the triple Adidas stripes that run up burnt orange, bright blue or white colourways. They will also set you back (an eye-watering) £1,230.
Fear not, though, as the same style comes in an elegant brown croc from Guess for less. And Paris Texas’s are the style set favourite, where they come in every shade you need. When picking though, Skeete-Cross has some advice: “It’s often better to avoid the stiletto versions. They might look more sexy online, but you’ll feel better for that extra support a block heel provides.” Just add a knitted midi dress, long enough to brush the tops.
Gucci x Adidas
Gucci x Adidas, knee-high boot, £1,230, gucci.com
Guess
Guess, Elandra croc boot, £179, guess.eu
Paris Texas
Paris Texas, snakeskin boots, £536, farfetch.com
Sturdy shearling
If ever there was a winter to pick practicality, this is the one. And thanks to a couple of luxury labels, there is plenty of inspiration to give sense and sensibility a little style. Hiking boots walk a fine line, but with the addition of sumptuous shearling there is little not to like. Yes, comfy and casual can be chic.
The Christian Dior’s and Louboutin’s of the world make them black and beautifully crafted, if you’re willing to splurge. Heritage shoemakers Grenson, founded in Northamptonshire in 1886, are safe hands for a hard-working pair, while the Pierre hiking boots from AND/OR are a robust suede pair you can pick up at John Lewis. Stride on — with ample support.
Grenison
Grenson, Nettie boot, £345, grenson.com
Christian Louboutin
Christian Louboutin, Edelvizir shearling boots, £1,250, matchesfashion.com
AND/OR
AND/OR, Pierre shearling hiker boots, £145, johnlewis.com
Biker baby
For the tough ones. These big-buckled, thick-strapped bikers aren’t for the faint of heart, but pull them off and you have yourself a winner. They are one of Zara’s picks for best boot of the season, and mark a welcome shift from the cowboy boots that ruled summer. “It was all about the Western boot,” agrees Natalie Dickson, head of women’s luxury at Flannels. “Now we want to stomp around in chunky shoes with attitude — the backbone of every autumn/winter wardrobe.”
Swedish shoemaker Vagabond have just launched their Eyra tall boots, which are a perfect sturdy pair, while Kurt Geiger’s tough Sand ankle boots hit the same notes without an O-ring strap. Time to brave the biker.
Zara
Zara, leather biker boots, £239, zara.com
Vagabond
Vagabond, Eyra harness boots, £180, vagabond.com
Kurt Geiger Carvela, Sand ankle boots, £149, shoeaholics.com
Stomp strong
The sun is yet to set on the stomper. If yours managed to survive last year, you’re in luck! Just wheel them back out. If not, think about adding playful touches to pick up the mood this season. “Whether you’re dressing up for a party or down for every day, a chunky soled stomper is always a statement piece,” says Flannels’ Dickson. “Bella Hadid proved to everyone over fashion week they are one for every occasion, heading from show to party in a pair of chunky boots.”
For colour, Ganni is your one-stop-shop. They come coral, pink and green, and are unrivalled in construction. Copenhagen Studios introduce a pop with pastel shade soles, or take them patent. & Other Stories has a sleek and shiny pair to go into that good night.
Ganni
Ganni, Cleated mid-Chelsea boot, £355, ganni.com
Copenhagen Studios
Copenhagen Studios, Vitello Chelsea boots, £220, enibbana.com
& Other Stories
& Other Stories, chunky platform Chelsea boots, £165, stories.com
The best bags to make any outfit pop...
Add electricity to any all-black outfit with a certified It-bag of the season. The fashion set have been clutching their 16Arlington Kikka bags, covered in crystal studs, all this fashion month, while YSL’s Icare Maxi comes big enough to fit your brollie.
For colour, Dua Lipa has put her weight behind JW Anderson’s squishy Bumper-15 style which comes zingy green, Wandler have a luxe Penelope style in tangerine or head to APC who have joined forces with none other than Jane Birkin for the best minimalimst choice.
16Arlington
16Arlington, Kikka bag, £995, 16arlington.co.uk
YSL
YSL, Icare Maxi bag, £ 3,150, ysl.com
Zara
Zara, Shoulder bag, £25.99, zara.com
Wandler
Wandler, Shoulder bag, £455, net-a-porter.com
A.P.C. x Jane Birkin
A.P.C. x Jane Birkin, Jane B bag, £400, matchesfashion.com
JW Anderson
JW Anderson, Bumper-15 bag, £595, jwanderson.com
