Take it from us: You don’t want to wait until November to start looking for the shoes you’ll be wearing all winter. There’s a particularly appealing crop of boots in stores right now, ranging from easy workaday numbers (like this lug-soled Steve Madden pair) to boots so visually stunning that they belong in a museum (looking at you, Acne Studios stunners). They won’t last long, so click through the slideshow to see our 38 favorites.
Black Booties
You can wear black booties with everything in your closet, making it downright responsible to buy more than one pair. If you like a little detail, try Lanvin’s stud-covered booties. Or go for a simple, clean Chelsea boot from Topshop.
Fun Patent Leather
Shiny and/or colorful boots are great when you need to stave off gray winter blahs. Try Strategia’s fire-engine-red pair, or these fresh-off-the-runway Proenza Schouler woven matte boots with cool fringed edges.
Texture
Though not the best for snow, fall’s velvet and suede textures all look really chic. If you want the real deal, look at Stella McCartney’s ornate take on the trend, or for less of an investment, Zara has a gray velvet pair for only $100.
Over-the-Knee
If there’s a shoe that instantly says sexy, it’s the over-the-knee boot. Tamara Mellon makes the best thigh-high boots — their fit is incredible. If you want a little more stretch, try a suede pair like these army-green boots from ASOS.
Now Trending
All of these boots have been worn by the major street-style bloggers during Fashion Week, and we’ve seen them a million times in editorials. But now they’re finally being sold at retailers, and we still can’t get enough. These soft pink Acne Studios boots complete with silver-stone heels have us staring at our bank statement in desperation, and Saint Laurent’s metallic boots prove the bohemian trend is still going strong.
Snakeskin
As far as trends go, snakeskin is the new leopard — a classic print that can be paired with anything. Our favorites: these knee-high ones from Aldo, and Chloé’s mustard-yellow pair with an angled chunky heel.
Knee-High
Knee-high boots are always a favorite when it’s cooler out, so if you plan on buying a pair, just make sure they have the correct width for your calves. H&M’s boots are made from premium-quality suede and have a sturdy wooden heel, while Gucci horsebit boots are a trendy spin on the look.
Most Practical
These are shoes that you can wear on the subway without having to change once you get to work. The lug sole on these Steve Madden boots is perfect for rain and snow, and we love the chic low heel of the black Tibi pair.
