'Tis the season for a new pair of winter boots. Truly, the only thing that makes me feel mildly good about the cold weather is a new pair of stompy boots, which, alongside a well-made coat, is one of the few items I invest in when the temperature drops – for obvious reasons: longevity, versatility, and quality.

There are a few rules that form part of the boot-buying rhetoric. They need to be mostly neutral for easy pairing, comfortable enough for walking anywhere and likely everywhere, and if they start showing signs of wear early on, they simply are not the boots. Or the other option is making boots the statement piece of an outfit and going all out in them. Whether they be coloured in a bright red or green, textured in pony hair or an interesting shape like Maison Margiela tabis. There's something for everyone – which is why boots are the perfect winter shoe.

Most recently on the Autumn Winter 2026 runways, the catwalk predicted quite the comeback for boots this season. Alexander McQueen showcased a dominant lineup of leather riding boots in a variety of colourways, while Michael Rider at Celine also filled his runway with slouchy, pointed leather styles. Khaite, meanwhile, took a more trend-driven approach, presenting thigh-high boots in black pony hair – a finish that the fashion world more broadly has proven to have a growing appetite for. Across the board, boots felt both like a practical necessity and while also being a defining statement piece of the season.

So in light of all this boot talk, we've rounded up a few seasonal stand-outs which mostly tick all the boxes, below.

Khaite Leather Ankle Boots

COS Leather Knee Boots

Assembly Label Suede Boots

Chloé Leather Knee Boots

Maison Margiela Tabi Ankle Boots

Tony Bianco Vintage Boots

St. Agni Soft Boots

ECCO Ankle Boots

LOEWE Ankle Boots

Isabel Marant Leather Boots

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