Top fall boot styles

Fold-over-the-knee boots

A spin on the classic over-the-knee boots, fold-over-the-knee boots add a little more flair and detail to regular tall boots. Designed with extra material folded down from the top to the bottom of the ankle to create a layered look, these boots fuse sophistication with practicality, making them a good option to wear with everyday outfits or for semi-dressy occasions. Another great style element of these boots is that their sleek design (like this pair from Zara for $179) tends to make your legs appear slightly longer, which is always good news for petite or average-height women.

Decorative booties

Now these aren’t just any old lace-up or slip-on booties. No. We’re talking about booties that look like they can sit on top of your fireplace mantel or on your dining room table and look as if they’re a part of your design arrangement. From 3.1 Phillip Lim to Chanel to Emporio Armani, fashion designers have been designing the miniature boot to look more like an aesthetic masterpiece, which is perfect for shoe lovers! Take cues from current fall fashion trends (like brocade or leopard prints a la these eccentric booties from Forever 21 for $42) to guide you on what type of booties to invest in.

Classy wedges

We fell in love with flatforms this summer, but it’s time to get elevated and back to a tried, tested and true style: the wedge. Although wedges are hardly a new style trend this fall (they were quite popular last fall too), this season’s wedges are all about maximizing the wedge design to its full potential. Whether it’s studded and blinged out from bottom to top, or appears to look like a platform wedge with no backing — a style you can partly thank Lady Gaga for making so famous — there is no wedge style this season that’s too crazy. If you’re a lover of the wedge but not of its high height, don’t fret; buy a wedge that’s just as visually appealing but that has a lower, more comfortable platform, like these royal blue wedges from ALDO for only $80.

Complete your wedge look with these European fashion style tips > >

Spiked and skinny

No matter if they’re on tall, short or ankle boots, spiked heels are the heels of choice this fall. Many fashion houses — Alexander McQueen, for one — are creating 6-inch beauties that are meant to be worn with everyday outfits, not just to special events. Although it may not be practical to wear tall, slender heels if your job involves running around a lot, it’s still a good idea to have a pair of spiked heels (like this gorgeous bright pair from Zara for only $70) around this fall and winter so that whenever you need a dressed-up style — or a major confidence boost — they’ll be right there, ready to wear.