We Tried on 6 Pairs of High-Street Boots So You Don't Have To

Boots season is finally here, huzzah! Bring on the lace-ups and the combats, the Chelseas and the knee-highs, because nothing quite stands up to the cosy appeal of foot-cocooning leather. Unlike a boxfresh sneaker or a flimsy ballet pump, a good boot will withstand whatever the great British winter throws at us and look good along the way. It will work with both dresses and denim, skirts and suits, so you know you'll get excellent cost per wear. It's sure to be a go-to staple over the next six months. 

We understand that it might be trickier to shop for boots this season, with social distancing measures and shop closures, so we decided to put a few styles from our favourite high-street brands through their paces (literally). From Whistles' lace-up pair to Arket's heeled knee-highs, each editor styled up and reviewed their favourite looks so you can make the most informed decision this season.

Scroll down to see how we wore them and shop our faves. 

Whistles

Style Notes: I love a good winter boot, but I've been slightly on the fence about the super-chunky trend as it's never felt very "me." However, luckily this Whistles pair is the perfect middle ground: Chunky but not OTT, classic yet cool enough to add an edge to my autumn staples. And, to top it off, they're also super comfy. Win-win. 

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Topshop

Style Notes: I was surprised about how much I liked these, as I'm usually a black boot die-hard, but I'm persuaded by these. Wear with cropped black skinny jeans and a chunky knit.

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Style Notes: I'd consider these a classic biker boot look, yes, these are ideal for jeans, but I'd also wear them with floral dresses.

Arket

Style Notes: If pressed I’d have to say that Arket does the best boots on the high street, as it creates simple classic designs that you know won’t date quickly, and they are really beautiful quality for the price point. It can be surprisingly tricky to find the perfect pair of knee-high boots, but these are as close as it gets for me. I love the chunky heel and soft leather.

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ASOS

Style Notes: While I know chunky track sole boots are all the rage, I'm not entirely sure they fit in with my personal aesthetic. After all, I can appreciate the beauty of Prada's monolith stompers or The Row's zip-front ankle boots without actually wanting to wear them, right? These ASOS Chelsea Boots are the perfect happy medium, enabling me to dip my toe in the chunky-boots trend, while still staying true to my own understated personal style. Oh, and they're comfy too!

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