Must-Have Fall Boots

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Boots cut across all trends and go with different styles. If you invest in a great pair, they’ll be here forever and [eventually] will be in again.

— Holly Quartaro, fashion stylist for Galleria Dallas

Biggest, Brightest Trends

One of the most buzzed-about styles for boots this coming season is the wedge heel.

“Hands down, this fall’s biggest trend is wedge boots, particularly ones with covered platforms,” Hyden says. “They are perfect paired with another hot trend, flare jeans.”

A terrific selling point for wedge boots is their infinite wearability, says Holly Quartaro, fashion stylist for Galleria Dallas.

“People want to look stylish, and the wedge is so much more comfortable,” but still keeps the drama of a high heel, she says.

Another typically comfy shoe is the lace-up boot. Hyden suggests balancing a rugged version of the boot with an outfit that has soft touches: “If you want to get a little bit funky,” she notes, “go for a pair of lace-up boots with a lug sole. To keep it feminine, pair with a lace or floral top.”

Quartaro adds lace-ups go well with several looks -- "suede, fringe, rugged, Bohemian.” A low-heeled lace-up can polish off a menswear-inspired outfit, too.

Rounding out the clique of comfy footwear are chunky-heeled boots, which like the lace-up can provide a masculine edge to an otherwise feminine ensemble. Redbookmag.com touts slouchy flat-heel boots with leggings and soft rubber-soled boots with a skirt and tights as other styles that are kind to the soles.

Quartaro also suggests the ankle-high shoes known as booties, recommending them for adding serious style to workplace-friendly cropped trousers. Noting booties' versatility, she suggests they be paired with flare jeans, boot-cut jeans, sexy tight denim skirts and even dresses.

"Booties can be worn with everything -- jeans to dresses and everything in between," Quartaro says. "I think there’s a bootie for everyone … or three or four.”

Bold New World

The most fashion-forward boot lovers have a number of daring designs to choose from this season, fashion pros say.

Returning for a second autumnal run are over-the-knee boots. This footwear tends to hug the leg and extends up to midthigh – not for the faint of fashion, Quartaro says.

“These are for the daring,” she says. “They do come in different heights, so there’s something for everyone.”

Quartaro advises pairing the boots with skinny jeans or a skirt with a hem that falls below the top of the boots. “The danger here is looking like [Julia Roberts’ character in] ‘Pretty Woman,' ” she says.

Another boot for the brave features a wear-if-you-dare stiletto heel. Stiletto fans can vamp up virtually any pair of boot-cut jeans or miniskirt with the thin-heeled footwear. Ladies in the know about this sexy shoe fall into one of two categories, Quartaro says.

“Some women will love them, and some will say they’re torture,” she says.

Not every hot pair of boots wows with height. Another trend that’s more accepted by shoppers but still adds an edgy note to any wardrobe is the buckle-ornamented boot.

“Buckles add a little edge to boots,” Quartaro says. “They can be rugged and biker-chick-looking and add edge to a feminine style.”

Indeed, Cristina Desposito, in an article for Redbookmag.com, suggests wearing crumpled, buckled engineer boots to toughen up bright-colored corduroy pants, another big trend for the fall.

Or, you can go bold with animal print booties. They give a wow-factor without being over-the-top. Plus, they work well with neutral dresses, skirts and pants -- add a touch of boldness.

Built to Last?

Which trends can shoppers expect to stick around a while and become a good investment? Hyden and Quartaro landed on the same style: riding boots.

“Of course, this quintessential boot is still going strong,” Hyden says. “I love these with skinny jeans and a shearling vest.”

Quartaro notes the boots' classic durability: "Jackie O wore them,” she said, referring to the former First Lady and fashion icon, who died in 1994.

She foresees bootmakers hewing to the styles that shoppers clamor for, “Lace-ups will be around for a while, and wedges -- because they’re comfortable -- so I think designers will continue to make them,” she says.

Whatever the style, Quartaro said she believes that a solid, well-made pair of boots will always be in vogue.

“Boots cut across all trends and go with different styles,” Quartaro observes. “If you invest in a great pair, they’ll be here forever and ... will be in again.”

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