I’m Not Saying to Pause Knee-High Boots, But the Runways Are Backing This Classic Style Instead

Like sandals are to warm weather, the arrival of the best ankle boots is a sure thing come the cooler months. This particular piece of footwear, especially when compared to other stylish boot trends, is a cornerstone of colder-weather wardrobes and for good reason.

Choose carefully, and you'll live in them for the whole of this season. Scratch that—you'll wear them year after year, even on those chilly spring and summer days.

This, however, makes choosing that all-important pair of ankle boots all the more difficult.

Sure, you want them to be versatile, but you'll also want your selected pair to strike the perfect balance between timeless and trend so that they'll always feel both contemporary and classic.

So if you haven't quite made a decision on which ankle boots you'll be investing in for autumn and winter, then allow us to help.

As for season's up-and-coming ankle-boot trends? While there was definitely a focus on those classic hero pieces, in 2025, we're predicting a renewed love for frivolity, but still with practicality at the forefront.

Fashion has reacted to the tumult of the past few years by giving us some fun pieces to wear, and the ankle-boot category is no different. Think: Eccentric heel shapes, including deep concave curves or razor-sharp triangles, or even the return of the millennial-adored slouch boot.

And while innovation is always merited, especially when showcased on the runway through intriguing design elements or fabric manipulations, Net-a-Porter's former market director, Libby Page, tells me that there is still an element of surprise embedded into the best ankle boots.

"Our customer is seeking practicality right now and boots that will stand the test of time, so the colour palette is neutral, with pops of boldness for our more adventurous shopper," she explains.

Examples of this include the flat sock boot trend that's been dominating at the chic independently-owned luxury brands like Toteme, Dear Frances and Khaite or new expressions of seasoned style like Coach's shearling trimmed biker boot or Louis Vuitton's latest ankle boot and moccasin hybrid.

With all of that in mind, and after analysing this season's collections, I've compiled an edit of the newest and best ankle boots that will wow everyone this autumn. Keep scrolling for more.

The 5 Best Ankle Boots Styles of 2025

• The Best Designer Ankle Boots: Khaite Leather Ankle Boots, £1190
• The Best High-Street Ankle Boots: Mango Lace-Up Leather Ankle Boots, £100
• The Best Heeled Ankle Boots: Le Monde Beryl Allegra Croc-Effect Leather Chelsea Boots, £675
• The Best Pointed-Toe Ankle Boots: The Row Liisa Suede Sock Boots, £1310
• The Best Flat Ankle Boots: Free People Single Sole Slouch Boots, £228

1. Lace Up Ankle Boots

Style Notes: As someone whose pair of Dr Martens 1460 leather lace-up boots was a crucial part of their teenage dirtbag wardrobe, let me be the first to say that I'm thrilled about the return of this style. Aptly practical but with a slight grunge undertone, lace-up ankle boots bring a resourceful and tactile element to a look that offsets gorgeous and ethereal slip dresses. While I've had a pair from The Row on my wish list for several seasons now, Burberry's recent spring/summer 2026 show, which was staged on the final day of London Fashion Week, encouraged a more quintessentially British take. Inspired by music festivals, these are the kinds of boots you can thrash at Glastonbury before cleaning them up and taking them to the Cotswolds.

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2. Slouchy Ankle Boots

Style Notes: As with plenty of other trends right now, Y2K is also having an influence on footwear. The most prominent early 2000s shoe style to make its return is none other than the humble slouch boot. With a distinctive crease around the bottom of the leg, this style brings an air of relaxed nostalgia that's incredibly desirable of late. (Because everyone is channelling their inner Kate Moss in her Vivienne Westwood pirate boots all of a sudden.) On the runways, Onitsuka Tiger brought the most compelling and modern version of the trend during the recent Milan Fashion Week season. Juxtaposing the rumpled canvas fabric with a floaty mini dress and leather jacket proves just how versatile the style actually is.

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3. Biker Ankle Boots

Style Notes: Ever since motorcycle boots first stomped onto Miu Miu's autumn/winter 2022 runway alongside the luxuriate's beloved satin ballet flats and preppy mini skirts, biker boots have remained a firm fashion favourite. Regular endorsements from the prolific members of the Replica Handbags set, Hailey Bieber included, helped keep them in public consciousness, but they've certainly waned in popularity over the last few months. That was until they made a triumphant comeback at Coach's recent New York Fashion Week runway show. Nodding to the noughties through this Ugg-esque shape, the distressed leather inherent to this moto silhouette takes a new shape with the addition of a shearling trim. Simply swapping the archetypal buckle and straps for something more novel has certainly made it more apt for the season ahead.

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4. Heeled Ankle Boots

Style Notes: Forget about intriguing toe styles—the chicest way to wear ankle boots is to reach for styles with eclectic heel shapes. This trend first rose to prominence a few seasons back with Ferragamo's patent leather knee-highs. However, in lieu of this curved razor-sharp point, these kinds of ankle boots are proving to be far more wearable. In fact, some of the more notable heeled styles aren't a typical heel at all. Rather, they rival geometric shapes you would find in a child's toy block set. Think pyramids and spheres. With options from Khaite and Altuzzara, you're really spoiled for choice.

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5. Flat Ankle Boots

Style Notes: Take notes from Nicolas Ghesquière's latest panoply for Louis Vuitton. One of the key ankle boot trends isn't about reaching new heights or playing with form, but rather stripping things back to basics. While this denim moccasin-inspired boot was one of the highlights from the show, it's indicative of a wider industry shift to more pared-back shapes. Traditional styles, including Chelsea boots or riding shapes, certainly fall under this umbrella, but I'm loving more comforting variations like sock silhouettes.

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What Ankle Boots are Trending for 2025?

Despite ankle boots being limited by how far they ride up the leg, there's certainly nothing restrictive about how many ways they can be interpreted. That being said, the biggest ankle boot trends of 2025 are styles that are considerably more timeless, though with some modern twists. This year, the biggest trends include curved heels, grounding flats and slouchy styles.

What to Look Out For When Buying Ankle Boots?

When buying ankle boots, it's important to consider where exactly the shoe cuts off at your ankle. This part of your anatomy can be quite generous in terms of the amount of surface area that's provided, so in order to ensure the proportions of your selected ankle boots prove complementary, be sure to look for the exact measurements before you hit the checkout. Truly, there's nothing worse than buying a pair of boots only to realise there's a centimetre or two of skin exposed between the hem of your wide-leg trousers or maxi dresses and the top of your ankle boot.

What are the Best Ankle Boots Brands?

There are so many excellent boot brands to choose from. From a pure craftsmanship perspective, reach for labels that are designed and made in colder climates, as they're more acutely aware of how boots need to serve you through frigid temperatures and wet pavements. Brands like Khaite, Toteme and Aeyde excel for this reason, but also high-street labels like Free People, COS and Vagabond are also reputable contenders.

Why Trust Us

AtBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try on pieces ourselves—everything from best-selling jeans to designer shoes—and speak to external experts and fashion insiders, staying closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise, and each and every buy we feature has to meet our exceptional taste standards—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.