Ah, fall. That time of year when you can comfortably wear jeans, jackets and socks again. My favourite outfits are fall outfits, which is a shame because the season is too short. Soon my knit sweaters will have to be topped with down parkas.
The one constant? My boots. Fall boots (not to be confused with fall shoes that have a limited shelf life) are great because you can start wearing them in late August and keep wearing them right up until the first snowfall. Which some years is pretty darn late in the season, at least in Canada. You can even wear them after that snowfall if you buy some boot protectant spray. So it makes sense to invest in a quality pair of fall boots, or to pick up a couple different pairs to keep you satiated until December. (January? February? Who knows.) I spoke to Katie Green, senior director of global communications at Aldo Shoes to get the scoop on this season's need-to-have-˜em boots.
Over-the-knee boots
If there is one thing to inject into your wardrobe it's knee-high and thigh-high, second-skin boots, says Green. This style is hardly new this fall, but it's here to stay. The best part? This style makes any outfit look way more polished. Pair with skinny jeans and an over-sized sweater for a casual afternoon hangout, or slip into a mini dress for a more va-va-voom approach. Over-the-knee to thigh-high boots are the one style that you should pick up this season.
Retro-inspired
It's hard to miss all the retro references from the runways for FW16”and that ethos has definitely been carried over into your fall footwear. I have fallen in love with this season's retro silhouettes with a modern twist, says Green. At Aldo we played a lot with premium textiles and heel heights to give women options for every occasion. Look for low block heeled booties, round toe boots or sleek knee-high styles in colours like burnt orange, blush and burgundy.
Metallic
Add a touch of shimmer to your monochromatic look with metallic boots. It's a great way to liven a look and breathe excitement into your wardrobe, says Green. Don't be afraid to wear these during the day for the ultimate on-trend look.
Western
This season we're seeing styles ranging from rock ˜n roll to more upscale cowboy boot silhouettes, says Green. You don't have to go full cowboy to get in on this trend. In fact, we recommend picking up a pair of boots with Western-inspired stitching, studded accents or low-cut ankle styles to keep your Western look modern.
Suede
Suede just sort of goes with fall, no? Oh how I adore rich, luxurious suedes when the season turns cool, says Green. Look for it in deep, rich hues like taupe, khaki and burgundy. We have to agree”whether you pick up a simple pair of suede ankle boots, or opt for the more statement-making knee-highs, suede is the ultimate way to look classic and cool.
Want to try the trends? Check out some of our favourite boots of the season.
