Boots, glorious boots. What would we do without them? Nothing beats that fresh-out-of-the-box, new-boot feeling (apart from perhaps the elation when you find a pair that doesn’t give you blisters on the first wear). As a staple of our wardrobes pretty much year round, boots of all kinds really do deserve a medal for how many footwear dilemmas they see us through and especially for how versatile they make our wardrobes.
The perfect western pair will tone down a dressy dress and make those summery styles feel suddenly autumn/winter appropriate. A polished ankle boot will elevate jeans and a T-shirt. Anything with a heel suddenly makes wide-leg trousers actually wearable and a knee-high does wonders for a midi or mini dress.
The beauty is that fashion trends come and go, but buy a classic boot and they will last you for years. I promise I’m not just saying that—the black ankle boots I currently have on from Arket are heading into their third winter and still going strong despite the fact that I wear them on repeat. This also proves you don’t have to spend thousands to ensure they last. Just make friends with your local shoe-repair shop and pop in for a polish or re-sole every once in a while and they’ll feel good as new.
There is a lot of choice out there, though, and if you’re anything like me and struggle to make a decision on what to have for lunch, you might be slightly overwhelmed if you’re currently searching for a new pair. So, below I’ve pulled together 25 of the best boots on the market right now for under £250. I’ve also made I’ve made sure they work with all your autumn/winter dresses (or skirts) as well as your favourite jeans— to maximise the wear you’ll get out of them. Keep scrolling to see (and shop the styles you fall for).
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