If They're Not High, I Don't Want Them: 29 Heeled Boots I'm Buying Immediately

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(Image credit: @pernilleteisbaek)

We're currently in the era of the comfort shoe, and it shows: Uggs sell out just as quickly as any It sneaker of the moment, and Birkenstocks are the flavor of the month for hypebeasts everywhere. But I, as well as any other fashion editor, know the most enjoyable wardrobe pieces are not always the most practical. Sure, it's easier to navigate in a pair of flat boots with cushy soles, but the fashion person in me would rather teeter around in a pair of high-heeled boots. Frankly, if the boot doesn't have a heel, I really don't want it. 

A heeled boot is not only sleek and assertive, but it can also be a powerful and seductive accessory that speaks before you even enter a room. The number of times I've had others compliment my boots before even saying hello is immeasurable, and I can basically count on them as a conversation starter. But other than getting lots of attention, they also instantly uplift every piece they're paired with, whether it's casual blue jeans or tailored wool trousers.

As a perpetual fan of high-heeled boots, I always keep a running tally of my favorites (which happens to be quite a lot right now). Keep scrolling to join the club.

Mango + Heel Zipped Boots
Mango
Heel Zipped Boots

If you're looking for versatile everyday boots, here's a solid option that also happens to be on sale.

Asos Design + Wide Fit Cancun Knee High Boots
Asos Design
Wide Fit Cancun Knee High Boots

As someone with wider feet, I have ASOS on speed dial. Its selection of wide-fit shoes is unrivaled.

Charles Keith + Black Zania Sculptural Heel Boots
Charles Keith
Black Zania Sculptural Heel Boots

When I'm in the mood for shoes that feel experimental, I always head to Charles  Keith.

Open Edit + Jasper Platform Boot
Open Edit
Jasper Platform Boot

Who said heeled boots were hard to walk in?

Stradivarius + Knee High Boot in Gold
Stradivarius
Knee High Boot in Gold

I would never guess that these were less than $150.

Mango + Mesh Heel Ankle Boots
Mango
Mesh Heel Ankle Boots

Saint Laurent started the crystal mesh boot trend, but Mango is shaking things up.

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(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

Asos Design + East High-Heeled Platform Boots in Black
Asos Design
East High-Heeled Platform Boots in Black

Recently, I've warmed up to sky-high platform boots, and they're great for styling with wide-leg jeans.

Sam Edelman + Taryn Booties
Sam Edelman
Taryn Booties

I'll take these in every color.

Steve Madden + Priyanka Purple
Steve Madden
Priyanka Purple

I gasped when I first saw these. 

J.Crew + Pointed-toe Ankle Boots
J.Crew
Pointed-toe Ankle Boots

Reviewers adore these boots—so much so they're a top-rated item on J.Crew's website.

Jeffrey Campbell + Darlings Pointed Toe Knee High Boot
Jeffrey Campbell
Darlings Pointed Toe Knee High Boot

You'd be surprised by how many staples look great against red boots.

Mango + High Heel Boots
Mango
High Heel Boots

Definitely a first entry in the boot-person starter pack.

Other Stories + Knee High Leather Boots
Other Stories
Knee High Leather Boots

The square toe sets things off a bit here.

Charles Keith + Sand Frida Leather Knee-High Boots
Charles Keith
Sand Frida Leather Knee-High Boots

I'd argue most people will think these are designer.

Jeffrey Campbell + Captivate Western Boot
Jeffrey Campbell
Captivate Western Boot

As an owner of these boots, I can confirm they are wildly comfortable.

Schutz + Maryana Tall Boots
Schutz
Maryana Tall Boots

For your winter-white outfits.

Aeyde + Lily Two-Tone Leather Boots
Aeyde
Lily Two-Tone Leather Boots

These are sold out in my size, but kudos to anyone else who can snatch these up before they sell out.

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(Image credit: @federica.labanca)

By Far + Stevie Metallic Over-the-Knee Boots
By Far
Stevie Metallic Over-the-Knee Boots

It's you. You're the drama.

Paris Texas + Moc Croco Stiletto Heel Tall Boots
Paris Texas
Moc Croco Stiletto Heel Tall Boots

If the bulk of your wardrobe includes neutrals, a pair of vibrant boots can help break up the monotony and add some excitement.

Marc Fisher Ltd + Gomer Slouch Boot
Marc Fisher Ltd
Gomer Slouch Boot

Slouchy boots forever.

Reformation + Remy Knee Boot
Reformation
Remy Knee Boot

My editor friends can't stop talking about Reformation's boots.

Other Stories + Thin Heel Patent Leather Boots
Other Stories
Thin Heel Patent Leather Boots

Patent leather is not a trend in the spotlight just yet, but when it inevitably cycles back around, you'll be ready.

Jeffrey Campbell + Arsen Genuine Calf Hair Knee High Boot
Jeffrey Campbell
Arsen Genuine Calf Hair Knee High Boot

These are everything.

J.Crew + Square-toed Ankle Boots
J.Crew
Square-toed Ankle Boots

The piping is subtle, but it separates these from being just another boring pair of booties.

Timberland x Veneda Carter + Leather-Trimmed Nubuck Knee Boots
Timberland x Veneda Carter
Leather-Trimmed Nubuck Knee Boots

The time has come to bring out the Timbs.

Saint Laurent + Niki Suede Ankle Boots
Saint Laurent
Niki Suede Ankle Boots

Parisian chic. 

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(Image credit: @scarletkent)

Acne Studios + Besquared Gemini Boots
Acne Studios
Besquared Gemini Boots

Although these are pricey, I'm convinced I'd wear them every day, which makes it sort of a smart investment, right?

Jimmy Choo + Blake 110 Velvet Wedge Knee Boots
Jimmy Choo
Blake 110 Velvet Wedge Knee Boots

Jimmy Choo never misses.

Loewe + Denim Cuff Pointed Toe Bootie
Loewe
Denim Cuff Pointed Toe Bootie

The denim-boot trend is definitely divisive, but consider me a fan.

Next up: I'm Into Edgy Trends—30 Ultra-Cool Pieces I'm Eyeing From Shopbop

Indya Brown
Fashion Market Editor

Indya Brown is a fashion editor, stylist, and writer living in Los Angeles. While going to school at Columbia University in New York City, she got her feet wet in the fashion industry interning at Elle magazine, Harper's Bazaar, and New York magazine's The Cut. After graduating in 2016, she joined The Cut as a fashion assistant, eventually working her way up to fashion editor. There, she worked on a multitude of projects, including styling inbook feature stories for New York magazine's print issue, writing and pitching market stories for The Cut, and serving as fashion lead for The Cut's branded content. While New York has been her home for over 10 years, she moved to Los Angeles in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 for a new chapter. Now she is a fashion market editor forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , focusing on emerging designers, rising trends on and off the internet, interior design, and BIPOC creatives and brands. Aside from her duties as a fashion market editor, Brown is also a freelance stylist and writer, working on national print and video commercial campaigns for Sephora, The Independent, and Cadillac. Her bylines also include Harper's Bazaar, Vox, and The New York Times. But once the computer goes down and the emails turn off, she's likely eating her way through Koreatown, hunting down vintage furniture, scoping out new outrageous nail designs to try, or taking a hot cycling class.

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