Boots

In fact, I’ve narrowed it down to five boot styles that I firmly believe will hold up against even the drizzliest of days. They’re not all certified water-proof, but they’ll definitely help protect you from the elements. Up first, there’s the more traditional rubber pair (long or short), followed by chunky, thick tread styles that elevate you off the ground with their cool track soles, reducing your chance of getting getting soggy toes. Next, it’s tall flat stomper boots, which I like to think of as the practical version of the trending heeled knee-high boot. And finally, snow boots. A hero item for winter, these boots have been specifically made to keep you dry and cosy.  No matter your style preference or the weather foreca...

To get you a little more excited about the colder weather that’s en route, we’ve combined our knowledge to bring you a definitive edit of the best boot brands our editors swear by, which we’ve charted for you below. To make the cut, each brand had to be stylish—that’s a given—but also known for its attention to detail and high quality. You might think that you need to spend a small fortune to get boots of such ilk, and while there are certainly some designer brands that feature on our list, they’re balanced out by more affordable labels, too. Covering every boot base, from knee-high to hiker, this list is sure to include something that’s perfect for you, your aesthetic and your budget. So keep scrolling to see the best boot brands our...

Recently I’ve discovered that there’s no more versatile boot than a black leather knee-high. Right now, I’m wearing them to bring all my dresses into autumn. They also make a mini dress or skirt feel polished, and pair effortlessly with midi skirts, jeans and leggings too. So that’s basically everything I ever wear, then. Having a classic pair in your capsule allows you to unlock so many chic outfits, and although I tend to wear mine through spring and winter too, it’s autumn when they really come into their own. Being such a wardrobe staple, you’ll find a lot of iterations out there, from Prada to Zara. But this year, there’s one high street pair in particular that’s won the whole Who What Wear team over— and they’re from H&M.    The trusty affordable retailer has done ...

For the longest time, I was hopelessly devoted to ankle boots. I’m petite, and I always assumed that anything above the calf would make my legs look out of proportion with the rest of my frame. Yes, even fashion editors can get tunnel vision. However, maybe four years ago, I invested in a pair of black, buttery-leather knee-highs with a block heel and almond toe. Slipping them on for the first time, I’d never felt chicer. Fast-forward to 2022, and I have a few pairs of knee-high boots that I’ve come to rely upon when the temperatures dip. I have a beige suede pair complete with a wooden heel, a mock-croc burgundy pair with a subtle patent finish, and my OG black leathers, all of which I get so much wear out of. Initially, however, I found styling them a bit of a challenge...

After a long and patient wait, it’s finally here. And no, I’m not referring specifically to autumn, but instead, each year, I count down to the best season of all: boot season. It’s that perfect time of year that’s just cool enough to layer up, but there’s still a little sun. Not too much wind, but just the right amount of crispness in the air to warrant shoes that are a little more substantial than sandals. And now, after wearing a scarf for the first time this year, I can confirm we’re in the swing of autumn, and the first thing on your shopping list should be a good pair of boots to see you through the next six months and beyond. In my opinion, there’s nothing chicer than a simple, understated outfit with statement boots, and after racking up a ...

When it comes to boot trends, there are key styles that will always be considered classics. Think heeled ankle boots and chunky, moto styles. But this season, both the fashion set and celebs are introducing fresh boot silhouettes into their wardrobes as alternatives to the basics, including a slighter “riskier” choice: platform boots. Statement-making in nature, this shoe style has the ability to instantly elevate even the most simple ensemble thanks to its bold and somewhat daring design. And while heeled platforms will always be a favourite, there’s a variety of flatform picks out there (ahem, The Row’s iconic zip-front pair) as well to bring comfort and ease to an ensemble. Sure, these styles won’t completely replace basic ankle boots (they&...

I’ve never been a trouser kind of girl—aside from having given into the easy appeal of jeans, that is. Instead, you’ll find my wardrobe is dominated by one thing: dresses. Being curvy and petite, dresses are the item I feel most confident in, and I’ve garnered quite the collection of them over the years. However, when it comes to winter, I always find myself at a loss. During the summer months, I’ll style them with slip-on tan sandals or black minimal mules but, when the temperatures drop, I seem to struggle to find the right footwear to pair with them. Boots are, of course, essential at this time of year, but I’ve always found it difficult to decide which boot iterations look best with mini, midi and maxi dresses respectively. So, I set about rectifying that. Having spent l...

The best time of the year is upon us: ahem, boot season. With it comes the prospect of trying something new, whether you’re test-driving a trend or giving your new designer boots a spin around the block. Autumn is the perfect time to reboot your wardrobe (quite literally). And while there are so many ways to freshen up your wardrobe, I can’t think of any better way to step into the new season than in the most popular style of the moment: tall boots.  Since last autumn, you couldn’t (and still can’t) scour the runway, scroll through social media, or shop from your favourite retailers without spotting at least a few tall pairs of boots. This style has stuck around for better or worse (depending on how you feel). But if you’re a little dubious about buying i...

Is there anything as gratifying as treating yourself to a new pair of boots come autumn? Opening up the box, pulling out the stuffing and getting a whiff of that fresh-boot smell? Just me? Moving swiftly on… Still, there’s no denying that boots form a pretty integral part of our aesthetics in the colder months. Over the past few years, I’ve made a point of making sound boot investments, choosing styles that prioritise timelessness over anything too trendy. However, that doesn’t mean that some boots don’t start to feel dated after a time—even pairs I know are pretty classic can lose their appeal after a couple of years in the midst of a flurry of new styles to choose from. This got me thinking—I know which boot trends I think are a little dated, but which boot t...

On the runways, designers don’t shy away from this trend. After making its debut in 1979 as part of Ralph Lauren’s new Polo Western and Ralph Lauren Western lines, the cowboy boot has been featured in an assortment of designer collections from Chanel (Haute Couture 22) to Isabel Marant (A/W 21) to Céline (A/W 21) to Ganni (S/S 23). Plus, thanks to the ever-evolving world of street style, there’s already plenty of inspiration if you want to know how to make cowboy boots work in your wardrobe. As we head into winter, pair slimmer styles with straight jeans and a chunky knit or cardigan before layering a wool coat on top. During autumn, I’ll be wearing my boots with leather shorts and a blazer as seen at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Want to go bold? Take cues from Emma Cha...

When it comes to the runway, designers far from shy away from the trend. After making its debut in 1979 as part of Ralph Lauren’s new Polo Western and Ralph Lauren Western lines, the cowboy boot has featured in an assortment of designer collections from Chanel (Haute Couture 22) to Isabel Marant (autumn/winter 21) and Céline (autumn/winter 21) to Ganni (spring/summer 23).  Plus, thanks to the ever-evolving world of street style, there’s already plenty of inspiration on how to make them work in your wardrobe IRL. As we head into winter, pair slimmer styles with straight jeans and a chunky knit or cardigan before layering over a wool coat. Over autumn, I’ll be wearing mine with leather shorts and a blazer as seen at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Want to go bold? T...

Skinny jeans will never go “out,” and that’s a fact. Just take a look at any one of the handful of celebrities who seem to cling to the perennial denim staple. Season after season, we turn to these style stars to inform us of the freshest ways to style our skinnies, and according to them, all signs point to one boot trend in particular—riding boots—that just so happen to pair flawlessly with classic skinny jeans. Kate Middleton has long been a fan of these flat, knee-high boots, and there are plenty of her outfits to get inspired by. They also happen to be approved by Mary-Kate Olsen. (When MK and Ashley wear something cool, you know we’re quick to follow suit.) We spotted riding boots all over the AW22 runways from a who...