6 Ankle-Boot Trends That Are Going to Wow Everyone This Season

Like taxes and jogging bottoms in lockdown, ankle boots come autumn are a sure thing. This particular piece of footwear is a cornerstone of colder-weather wardrobes and for good reason. Choose carefully, and you’ll live in them for the whole of this winter and the next one too. Scratch that—you’ll wear them all year, even on those chilly spring and summer days. If you haven’t quite made a decision on which ankle boots you’ll be investing in this year, then allow us to help.

A couple of notes before we delve into this season’s coming ankle boot trends. While last year there was definitely a focus on those classic hero pieces, in 2021 there’s a renewed love for frivolity but with practicality still in mind. This is especially welcome after the past 18 months and fashion has reacted with giving us some fun pieces to wear, and the ankle boots category is no different. While I think there will be some surprises, according to Net-a-Porter’s senior market editor Libby Page “our customer is seeking practicality right now and boots that will stand the test of time, so the colour palette is neutral with pops of boldness for our more adventurous shopper.” With all of that in mind, and after analysing this season’s a/w collections, I’ve compiled an edit of the newest and best ankle boots that will wow everyone this season. Keep scrolling for more.

Kicking off with one of the funnest ankle boot trends this season there’s a return to disco with the platform boot. While past seasons have been all about the flatform, it’s back to this more dialed-up style. Stella McCartney’s came in turquoise glitter, whereas over at Givenchy it was a red patent affair—clearly, however you do the platform ankle boot, this is all about finding complete show-stoppers that are great for a party.

As with plenty of other trends right now, Y2K is also having an influence on footwear. Although rounded or square toes were the leading shapes over the past few seasons thanks to the likes of Bottega Veneta, the spiky toe is back. Whether at Balenciaga or at Petar Petrov, this look is super slick and polished and will look incredible with jeans as well as an LBD.

The cowboy boot is one of those ankle boot trends that doesn’t ever really disappear. It’s often reinterpreted, however, and some seasons it’s been about the white boo5, at other times it’s been a more simplified version (Bottega’s being the most sought-after). This season? It’s the classic cowboy boot. As seen at Celine with metal toe caps or from Khaite in black, or even the ones Isabel Marant reissues every season, there’s a cowboy boot for everyone.

If we learnt anything about the past 18 months it’s that having a really great pair of boots to last walking in the rain and mud is a must. Good news then as the rain boot, or rubber boot, is making a real comeback. Ganni’s come in fun fluoro hues and Bottega Veneta’s are in a pretty peach. But if you’re looking for a more budget friendly style then Arket also stocks sustainable brand Tretorn’s pistachio ankle boots.

If you’re all about a pair of ankle boots that are going to last you season after season, you can’t go wrong with lace-ups. Whether you’re going to opt for DM’s classic stompers or want something more subtle there are styles out there. Take inspiration from either Bally’s hiker-lite versions or look to Ashley Williams’ flatforms.

While this might seem a more left-field choice, according to Page, the retailer is incredibly excited for “the iconic and cult collaboration from Moon Boot x Chloé that walked the runway during Gabriela Hearst’s debut collection”. But Chloé isn’t the only fashion house to showcase this style, Balmain also sent models down its A/W runway wearing moon boots.