Boots szn is back, baby! But not quite as you know it, thanks to a whole host of shiny, brand new boot trends. Sure, your go-to black Chelsea ankle boots will no doubt still make a welcome return to your wardrobe after being banished for the previous few months in favour of summer sandals. However, if you're looking to effortlessly update your entire look for the new season with a single worthwhile investment, your footwear is the answer.
And the only footwear you should be wearing right now? Boots, duh. After first being spotted dominating the autumn/winter 2025 runways, this season's biggest boot trends can now be seen infiltrating storefronts, both digital and IRL. As for deciding which trend is for you, that's where it gets tricky. Though no one said you had to pick just one...
Go bold with a statement snakeprint knee-high design or stick to simple, slouchy styles for a laid-back feel. With both ends of the sartorial spectrum – and everything in between – all covered, there really is a boot trend for everyone this autumn. Below, find the seven biggest boot trends worth knowing about now.
Snakeprint
It's no secret that animal print is back, from leopard spots to zebra stripes. But when it comes to footwear, the undeniable frontrunner in the animal kingdom is snakeprint, per the AW25 runways at Khaite, Zimmermann and Tod's. Look to grey-hued patterns adorning any silhouette for a fresh take on monochrome dressing that will go with (almost) anything and everything in your wardrobe.
Slouchy boots
This season heralds the return of soft, slouchy boots that scrunch and bunch around calves. Seen in a variety of forms across Isabel Marant, Balmain and Louis Vuitton, to name just a few, opt for a suede style to tap into the boho revival, while knee-high leather iterations have an inescapable pirate-esque look we're not mad at.
Riding boots
Designers including Hermès, Burberry, Altuzarra and Tory Burch took us to the stables, figuratively at least, with equestrian-inspired boots consisting of flat soles, a just below knee-high height, and a sleek, sturdy shaft devoid of over-elaborate details. Pair with your barn jacket (AKA one of autumn's biggest jacket trends) and tucked-in cigarette jeans if you're wanting to cosplay the countryside-chic aesthetic or contrast with voluminously flowy maxi skirts.
Everyone's clicking on...
Sock boots
The sock boot may trigger flashbacks to the Y2K scuba stiletto ankle boots worn by millennials to the club (and undoubtedly paired with a peplum top *shudder*), but the modern sock boot is more sophisticated, not to mention wearable. We promise. Close-fitting knee-high and mid-calf styles were seen at Jil Sander, Nina Ricci and Toteme, while Alberta Feretti debuted flat-soled sock boots, all providing crucial solutions to what shoes to wear with barrel leg jeans.
The new cowboy
Cowboy boots have been ‘in’ for a while now. Their latest resurgence can be traced back to 2023 with the Renaissance tour (thank you, Beyoncé). And while the style's popularity shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon, designers at Gabriela Hearst and Khaite did mix it up slightly, favouring modern silhouettes devoid of overly fussy details while still possessing those key Western identifiers. Think stacked angular heels, pointed toes and exposed seams.
Buckle up
Biker boots are a firm favourite in our boot rotation, but get ready to crank up the grunge factor in AW25. Isabel Marant, Docle & Gabanna and Alexander McQueen all proved more is more with designs laden with buckles, studs and harness-style hardware.
Boot hybrids
When we spied the footwear strutting down the Prada AW25 runway, we must admit we were a little confused. Is it a loafer? Is it a knee-high boot? Honestly, it's a little bit of both. Dior's cut-out part shoe, part knee-high boots posed a similar head-scratcher, but who are we to question it?! Given the popularity of ballet trainers, this latest hybrid could take off on the high street in much the same way.
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Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
