The knee-high might be sexier, the thigh-high flashier, but there’s something about the ankle boot. Yes, it’s safe and naturally less of a statement than covering 35% of your skin in scrunched leather or suede, but that’s no bad thing, especially now that we’re slap, bang in the middle of Autumn.
Not only can a well-chosen ankle boot pair with almost every bottom half in your wardrobe — from flaring wool skirts that brush the mid-calf to barrel-leg corduroy trousers — but, opt for a slender block heel or an on-point snake-print and, hell, they can give over-the-knees a run for their money.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
At the shows in Paris, there were knee-highs a plenty, but that doesn’t mean ankle-lengths didn’t get a look in. In fact, it proved to be one of the most popular variations of boot, with several different versions within the category that all offered comfort (essential when you’re on your feet all day) and chic points (also essential when you’re in Paris).
From the evening-appropriate block-heel to the everyday lace-up, these are the styles repeat-spotted over fashion month.
Why Trust Us To Choose The Best Ankle Boots For Women
As fashion editors but also busy individuals, there’s nothing we’re more familiar with than a reliable pair of ankle boots. Speaking for myself, I’ve distilled my ankle boots down to one pair that, in my opinion, does it all: a cowboy-heeled, snake-print pair from Aeyde. I’ve had them resoled once because the leather didn’t survive longer than a few seasons — this is to be expected, FYI — and haven’t looked back since.
Cowboy Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The cowboy boot has become a classic for a reason and, especially in Paris, it’s something of a uniform for off-duty models dashing between fittings and shows. Perhaps because of its comfortable block heel, or maybe its sharply pointed toe, but it has the ability to elevate the simplest outfit from an average 6 to a 10.
Toteme
Suede City Boots Black
Crossing over with the suede ankle boot trend, Toteme’s sleek cowboy boot will become your go-to.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels and pull tabs for ease
- Good size range from EU 35-42
M&S
Leather Cowboy Block Heel Pointed Ankle Boots
M&S do some of the comfiest and most affordable footwear on the High Street. But they never stay in stock for long.
Pros
- Elasticated side panel and pull-on tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
Cons
- Leather may scuff with time
Russell & Bromley
Calle Boots
With a slightly more elevated heel of 5.6cm, Russell & Bromley’s cowboy boot scores highly for day-to-night potential.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels and pull tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 3-9
Cons
- Leather may scuff with time
MANGO
Leather Ankle Boots With Block Heel
Mango is one of our go-to High Street stores for leather footwear without the designer price tag.
Aeyde
Baba Pointed Cowboy Boots
Aeyde minimal cowboy boot comes without bells and whistles, meaning it’s a multitasker you can pair with everything from tailored pants to pleated skirts. (And FYI, a brown ankle boot has just as much goes-with-everything potential as black.)
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from EU 36-42
Snake-Print Ankle Boots
A snake-print ankle boot has boho undertones, but not always if styled with the pared-back combination of a white shirt, off-white jeans and a tailored overcoat that almost grazes the ankle like this show-goer in Paris. You can also play around with the heel, experimenting with a block, kitten or Cuban.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
& Other Stories
Kitten Heel Ankle Boots
This snake-print, kitten-heel boot does a bit of everything — and looks particularly sharp with slimline, split-hem trousers.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from EU 35-42
Cons
- Kitten heel might not be as comfortable for some as a block
Mint Velvet
Aria Snake Print Ankle Boots
If you’re wearing a foundational outfit of a jumper, jeans and wool coat, a pair of snake-print ankle boots can be the focal point.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
Stuart Weitzman
Stassi 50 Snake-Effect Leather Ankle Boots
A slant-heeled ankle boot adds even more polish to a snake-print finish.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
Steve Madden
Jamason Bootie
You can dip your toe into the snake-print trend, quite literally, with these capped boots from Steve Madden.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 3-9
Cons
- Comes up small with the recommendation that you size up
Blocked-Heeled Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For a boot that goes hand in glove with trousers, skirts or dresses, there’s nothing like a bit of a boost via a block heel. Look for something lower than 6cm if you want to get the most wear of it possible.
ZIMMERMANN
Eddie Buckled Scalloped Leather Ankle Boots
With a slightly longer shaft but comfortable heel despite the height, Zimmermann has made the perfect block heel for everyday.
Pros
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from EU 35-42
Cons
- No zip closure or elasticated side panels
- Leather may scuff
The low block heel combined with a slimline elasticated ankle make this a great choice under both dresses and jeans.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Good size range from UK 3-9
Dear Frances
Leather Harlie Ankle Boots
With the perfect mid heel of 5.5cm, as well as a rich burgundy shade of red, Dear Frances has the ultimate ankle boot for Autumn.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
Cons
- Over £400
- Leather may scuff
BALLY
Bemeri Buckle-Embellished Leather Ankle Boots
With a pleasingly low block heel that still provides lift, Bally’s boots are yet another example of the perfect everyday ankle boot.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
Stacked-Heel Ankle Boot
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Lofty but low-maintenance, this ankle boot has a slender block heel that leaves your sole on a sometimes-vertiginous slant. Perhaps not one for the 9-5, but for party season? Absolutely.
Zara
Leather Wide Heel Ankle Boots
These everyday ankle boots are given additional flavour with a heel measuring a lofty 9cm. With a slightly longer shaft, you can always tuck your hems inside.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
Alaïa
Chocolate Square Ankle Boots
Alaïa’s gorgeously-high stacked-heel ankle boot, with a squared-off toe, will elevate any outfit (quite literally).
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
Arket
Tortoise-Heel Sock Boots
This sock boot-style, complete with a tortoiseshell stacked heel, puts a twist on the classic.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- 100% leather fabrication (including lining and sole)
J.Crew
Rosalind Ankle Boots
With a slightly elongated ankle shaft, these suede boots will team brilliantly with jeans or midi skirts.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Good size range from UK 2.5-9.5
Lace-Up Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you want a long-lasting ankle boot style that won’t date but get better with age, you can’t improve on the flat leather lace-up. Although slightly more serious in aesthetic than a block heel or a cowboy, as this street-styler proved in Paris, you can spike its practical characteristics with a shorter hemline (or even sequins come party season).
Church’s
Polished Binder Lace Up Boot
Church’s boots aren’t for a season but for life. This polished lace-up pair will smarten every item of clothing in its vicinity (trust us!).
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 1-9
Cons
- Over £1,000
- Leather may scuff
Le Monde Béryl
Dolomite Shearling-Trimmed Suede Ankle Boots
Le Monde Beryl are known for creating brilliant every day footwear – these shearling lined boots are great for ski season.
Cons
- No zip or elasticated side panels
- Leather may scuff
Sturlini
Leather Lace Up Boots
These Sturlini lace-up boots will suit utilitarian basics to perfection, becoming a building-block piece in your wardrobe.
Pros
- Leather fabrication using vegetable-tanning
Cons
- No zip closure or elasticated side panels
- Leather may scuff
With contrast stitching and a slimline cut, these “combat” boots are definitely chic enough to do after-hours duty.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
Suede Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The suede ankle boot is having a moment this Autumn, with almost every shop carrying its own interpretation of the butter-smooth shoe. Whatever you choose, be sure to give it some tender loving care before you leave the house with a protective spray that will prolong its life.
Flattered
Cay Suede Black
Flattered is the footwear brand that’s quickly become an influencer-favourite, especially its suede boots like this block-heeled pair.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
Rixo’s suede boot has the merest block heel that will still add a subtle lift to whatever you’re wearing.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 3-9
Bimba y Lola
Brown Cow Suede Ankle Boot
With a curved heel and slouched appearance, this suede ankle boot is ticking off multiple trends in one.
Cons
- No zip closure or elasticated side panels
- Leather may scuff
LK Bennett
Jolene Chelsea Chocolate Suede Ankle Boots
LK Bennett suede cowboy boot might be the perfect example of both genres.
Pros
- Pull tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 3-9
Chelsea Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
There’s no ankle boot that’s more of a classic than a Chelsea, with its flat sole (avec the merest heel) and a rounded toe. As this ticket-holder proves, however, flat doesn’t mean you can’t still make it a fabulous proposition. Just add a shorter hemline via a thigh-high coat or skirt.
Whistles
Burgundy Elasticated Chelsea Boot
This Chelsea boot isn’t black or brown. Instead, it’s a very dark burgundy, which feels perfectly in step with the hard-shift into Autumn.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels and pull tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from EU 36-42
COS
Leather Chelsea Boots
Your favourite brand for leggings has moved into boots, with this olive green pair being one of our favourite versions of the iconic Chelsea.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels and pull tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
Reiss
Leather Chelsea Boots
The Chelsea boot gets a glow-up courtesy of slightly two-tone brown leather and topstitching on the welt.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels and pull tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
Slouched Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson packed a very special pair of boots to Paris. They were studded and pointed but, more importantly, slouched so that what might have been knee-height was more like ankle-length. Don’t hold back on print, embellishment or a conical heel (Isabel Marant’s has all three, FYI); the slouched ankle boot is made to be noticed.
Isabel Marant
Dalby Boots
Isabel Marant’s leopard-print slouched ankle boot is so fun, so fabulous, that you won’t take it off all Winter.
Pros
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from EU 35-42
Cons
- Over £400
- No zip closure or elasticated side panels
By Far
Lysander Black Lamb Nappa Leather Ankle Boot
By Far’s slouched ankle boot has ’80s flair — in a good way.
Cons
- Over £400
- No zip closure or elasticated side panels
- Leather may scuff
Anonymous Copenhagen
Vully 20 Soft Calf Chocolate
Practical and also slightly piratical, Anonymous Copenhagen comes up trumps with its slouched ankle boot.
Pros
- Leather fabrication
- Excellent size range from UK 2-10
Cons
- No zip closure or elasticated side panels
- Leather may scuff
Rubbed-Soled Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Rubber-soled, track-heeled ankle boots used to be the most popular style come Winter. They’ve since been slightly edged out for the sleek cowboy, but for practicality, you still can’t beat them.
ARKET
Chunky Leather Ankle Boots
Flattered
Alma Suede Brown
The zippered version of the rubber-soled boot makes for a chic full stop at the end of an outfit.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
There’s something so wearable about Chelsea — and this version, with zero bells and whistles, is the textbook example.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels and pull tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
Ganni
Low Chelsea Boots in Suede Brown
Ganni was one of the “fashion” originators when it comes to rubber-soled boots — and its cleated soles are still the best in the business.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels and pull tabs for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
Eytys
Tempest Leather Black
With a short-than-average ankle shaft but chunky flatform sole, you have to get your head around the proportions of these rubber-soled boots from Eytys. Once you have, however, you might not take them off all Winter.
Pros
- Elasticated side panels for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Excellent size range from EU 35-46
Sock Ankle Boots
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Balenciaga popularised the sock ankle boot, covering its surface with bold floral prints, which gave the glove-like fit a so-wrong-it’s-right mood. This season’s version has pared the design back, with leather styles that prioritise timelessness over shock-factor.
St Agni’s sock ankle boot combines a point toe, plus heel, for one of the sharpest designs on shop floors.
Pros
- Elasticated shaft for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from UK 2-9
Bimba y Lola
Black Leather Elastic Ankle Boot
The angular heel on this sock ankle boot, measuring a demure 3.5cm, gives it a point of interest.
Pros
- Elasticated shaft for ease
- Leather fabrication
COS
Pointed Leather Sock Boots
COS’s almost-flat sock ankle boot is still an utterly chic proposition courtesy of its sharply-pointed toe and slight cone heel.
Pros
- Zip closure for ease
- Leather fabrication
- Good size range from EU 36-42
How To Choose A Pair Of Ankle Boots
The first thing to consider is what function do you want your ankle boots to perform. Are you looking for something that’s office-appropriate and comfortable enough that you can wear them to commute? Or are you in the market for a playful ankle boot that still has day-to-night potential in your wardrobe? Once you’ve figured out your list of non-negotiables (black, flat, leather etc), you’ll be able to narrow down your search to a laser-focus. If you prefer shopping IRL, it’s worth bringing or wearing the bottom half (or halves) you want to pair with your boots so that you can see if the aesthetics (not to mention hemlines) work together. And if they don’t but you love the boots in question, don’t forget that you can always get a pair of jeans, say, turned up a few centimetres so they fall just so over the upper.
