“Are you wearing the Ch--?”
“The Chanel boots? Yeah, I am.”
The significance of your footwear cannot be underestimated. As Andy Sachs famously demonstrated in the iconic The Devil Wears Prada, a pair of statement shoes will immediately assert your authority in the style department.
Ankle boots are a leg-lengthening option to wear all year round. The silhouette, which can either reach your ankle or fully cover it to skim your calf, is a wildly popular, versatile pick for autumn.
Ankle boots were first introduced in the 18th century and have been in demand ever since. They became a practical fashion item for women on the move, primarily while riding and driving. The original style adopted a lace-up design featuring delicate heels, a silk texture and a pointed toe - something you may find on the set of Bridgerton.
Nowadays, there is no uniform style for ankle boots. The last year has seen the resurgence of point-toe, heeled iterations, with brands such as Diesel, Acne Studios and Jil Sander championing the elegant silhouette.
Square-toes remain best sellers for a reason, hence why Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Miista keep restocking their shelves with the design.
Miu Miu broke with convention, formulating a hybrid sandal-ankle boot option for those wanting to push the boat out fashion-wise. Even Moon Boots have been thrust back into the limelight with a new low-cut edition.
Cowboy boots are still having their moment, with It-girls from Alexa Chung to Sienna Miller rocking the ankle grazer for every event from Glastonbury to their daily coffee run.
The trick with boots is buying a high-quality pair to survive years of wear and tear. Unlike a new dress or handbag, shoes are to be worn on the daily. This means comfort is king.
In order to avoid a Monica-type situation in Friends where she shells out on a pair of boots that hinder her ability to walk, one must carefully consider the type of ankle boot they want to invest in. Taking into consideration practicality, fit and material.
Leather is the most popular material for durability and comfort, but this may not be suitable for vegans. As for shape, if you have narrow feet, then a Western offers a slimmer fit, whereas roomy Chelsea silhouettes may be better for wider feet.
We’d encourage shoppers to save up for a sturdy pair of boots as opposed to a cheaply made pair that will fall apart in one season. Our precious feet need extra support to avoid any long-term issues arising.
With all of this in mind, it’s time to shop. Read on to discover the best ankle boots to take you from day to night with style and sophistication…
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Gucci Ornella logo-appliqué Leather Ankle Boots
Gucci’s Ornella ankle boots are the ideal blend of practical and preppy. The lavish leather shoes showcase the Italian fashion house’s script logo and are souped up with a lug sole and scalloped trims.
Buy now £1050.00, Matches
Acne Studios Bexen Calf-hair Ankle Boots
Fulfil your cowgirl dreams with Acne Studios’ Western ankle boots. The eye-catching design, made from leather and coated in calf hair, will punctuate any all-black evening outfit.
Buy now £850.00, Matches
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
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
Topshop Honey Premium Leather Block Heel Ankle Boot
While it is no longer with us in person, Topshop is still with us in spirit and via ASOS. The brand never sleeps on cute boots for all ages, and these snakeskin shoes with a smart square toe are an affordable, uber-wearable pick.
Buy now £85.00, ASOS
Jil Sander Block-heel Leather Ankle Boots
Lean into Jil Sander’s signature minimalism with a pair of classic black ankle boots. They are shaped from buttery, black leather with angular heels for tip-toeing through offices and evening soirees.
Buy now £950.00, Matches
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. Need we say more?
Buy now £150.00, Moon Boot
Miu Miu Toe-post 80 Leather Ankle Boots
Fresh from Miu Miu’s spring/summer runway, these thong-style shoes are a unique take on the classic ankle boot. They are constructed with a toe-post front, a zipped back and a block heel for both comfort and creativity.
Buy now £890.00, Matches
Bottega Venetta Monsieur Leather Boots
A pair to cherish forever, Bottega Venetta’s ‘Monsieur’ boots are a worthwhile investment if you have the cash to splash. The shoes are made in Italy from patent leather and have a very Gucci-esque gold hardware positioned on the front panel. To be worn with any outfit at any time.
Buy now £990.00, Matches
Adidas Originals adiFOM Superstar Boot
Festival season may be over, but we’re not over festival season. Treat yourself to a pair of Adidas Superstar Boots in time for the wetter weather to hit this autumn. Available in four tempting hues, the utilitarian-chic shoe has a rounded toe, a chunky sole and a sturdy grip.
Buy now £80.00, ASOS
Sandro Helen Buckle-embellished Leather Heeled Ankle Boots
The French brand may be known for its sophisticated, casual clothing, but Sandro knows how to dole out the covetable accessories. These buckle-embellished black leather boots emulate the elegance of Gucci and Bottega without such an eye-watering price tag. Add straight to basket.
Buy now £429.00, Selfridges
Miista Amparo Brown Ankle Boots
Miista has been on our radar for many years, purely because we want every single pair of boots the label produces. The ‘Amparo’ boots in a toffee tone have subtly distressed panelling, a square toe and slim heels. Team with a mini dress for an Americana edge.
Buy now £360.00, Miista
Ganni Red Low Shaft Embroidered Western Boots
When we say, get them before they’re gone, we really mean it here. There’s a reason that Ganni’s cowboy boots are so hard to find, and that’s because they are so wildly popular. These ankle-length Western boots in a cherry hue feature adorable love hearts, a classic cowboy cut and pull tabs for the perfect slip-on experience.
Buy now £445.00, Ganni
Dior D-Fiction Heeled Ankle Boot Black Calfskin
Update your designer shoe game with one of Dior’s freshest offerings. The quirky yet refined D-Fiction heeled ankle boot is made from sumptuous black calfskin and has an attention-grabbing black comma heel that differentiates it from any other shoe on the market.
Buy now £1350.00, Dior
