After spending much of the year somewhere between slippers and . . . well, slippers, the biggest fall and winter shoe trends of 2020 [1] will breathe life back into your wardrobe with ease. For many of us, heels have found a home in the backs of our closets, presenting an apt opportunity for a laundry list of winter boot trends to emerge and thrive.
In the wake of a newfound love for all things comfy, combat boots are among the styles proving to be even more versatile than we thought, while the moment has also made a case for a few fashion pick-me-up options, such as boots in bright colours (yes, even in the winter). Read ahead to learn all about the rave-worthy boot trends of the year and why they're just what you need right now.
- Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Kitten Heels
- Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Lug Sole
- Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Modern Western
- Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Latex and Patent Leather
- Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Multitoned
- Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Combat
- Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Bold Colour
Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Kitten Heels
Finally, a trend for those of us who can't live in a six-inch heel for more than an hour, or just choose not to. Designers such as Marc Jacobs co-signed the trend during Fall/Winter 2020 Fashion Week, and with greater focus on comfortable fashion this year, it didn't take much for it to stick. Like the lug sole boot, the kitten heel offers practicality and comfortability — an added bonus to the style's chic appearance. While a dress and tights create the perfect base for kitten-heel booties, the wide-leg nature of their knee-high counterparts will slip flawlessly over a pair of leggings or skinny jeans.
H&M Black Boots
H&M Black Boots [2] ($70)
Alfani Harpper Kitten-Heel Booties
Alfani Harpper Kitten-Heel Booties [3] ($50, originally $100)
Banana Republic Kitten Heel Chelsea Boot
Banana Republic Kitten Heel Chelsea Boot [4] ($178)
J. Crew Kitten-Heel Slouchy Suede Boots
J. Crew Kitten-Heel Slouchy Suede Boots [5] ($298)
Sam Edelman Samira Boots
Sam Edelman Samira Boots [6] ($200)
Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Lug Sole
This overtly chunky silhouette comfortably sits at the top of 2020's boot trends. Often reflecting a heightened reimagination of two household boot styles, combat and Chelsea, it's easy to see how the style has claimed its rightful place on the fashion collective's radar. Though we can most likely pinpoint the inception of the mega trend back to Prada [7] and Bottega Veneta's [8]viral iterations, affordable options continue to emerge across the market at rapid speeds, further cementing the trend as a potential mainstay. If you're looking for comfier alternatives to heels, the lug sole boot has proven to be a worthy match for most any garment in your closet, from casual dresses and trousers, all the way through to denim and sweats.
Chloe Betty Rubber Rain Booties
Chloe Betty Rubber Rain Booties [9] ($495)
Schutz Xayane Bootie
Schutz Xayane Bootie [10] ($158)
Seychelles Engageing Bootie
Seychelles Engageing Bootie [11] ($159)
Source Unknown High Platform Ankle Boots
Source Unknown High Platform Ankle Boots [12] ($89)
Villa Rouge Painter Lug Sole Booties
Villa Rouge Painter Lug Sole Booties [13] ($225)
Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Modern Western
The cowgal boot maintains its spot in fashion territory, almost unwavering, but not without the occasional update. For 2020, the style takes on a sleek, refined, ultra-feminine approach, often absent of the intricate pattern designs typically found on the traditional western footwear. For instance, on the Fall/Winter 2020 runways, Louis Vuitton debuted a glossy, smooth leather variation of the style. Many other brands have either taken a similar approach, or delivered with other chic finishes, such as metallic leathers and python print. What this means for your wardrobe? This year's scaled back approach to the western boot makes the trend that much easier to style. Pair it with a dress and blazer for a polished look, or with flared denim for a '70s meets western mashup.
Banana Republic Heritage Tall Western Boot
Banana Republic Heritage Tall Western Boot [14] ($288)
Guess Marney Crocodile Western Bootie
Guess Marney Crocodile Western Bootie [15] ($97, originally $139)
Everlane Western Boot
Everlane Western Boot [16] ($198)
Schutz Vonna Bootie
Schutz Vonna Bootie [17] ($158)
Zara Cowboy Heel Tall Leather Boots
Zara Cowboy Heel Tall Leather Boots [18] ($279)
Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Latex And Patent Leather
Remember when the widely-loved Jordanian-Romanian shoe designer Amina Muaddi [19] debuted her ultra tall latex peep-toe boot, and we all longed for them while simultaneously having nowhere to actually wear them? Saint Laurent [20] introduced a similar red vinyl pair with their Fall/Winter 2020 collection, but for the most part, the look has since taken on a more approachable form (Amina Muaddi even dropped a bootie version herself). In any case, the high-shine finish in and of itself speaks to the idea of simply having fun with fashion. Latex and patent leather boots will look amazing paired with latex leggings, but if you're not all the way there yet, they'll look just as great with leather trousers.
Jessica Simpson Briyanne Patent Stretch Boots
Jessica Simspon Briyanne Patent Strecth Boots [21] ($90)
H&M Patent Ankle Boots
H&M Patent Ankle Boots [22] ($50)
Schutz Maryana Pointed Toe Boot
Schutz Maryana Pointed Toe Boot [23] ($238)
LuLu's My Generation Patent High Heel
LuLu's My Generation Patent Heel [24] ($47)
Zara Patent Finish Ankle Boot
Zara Patent Finish Ankle Boot [25] ($50, originally $80)
Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Multi-Toned
With so many boot colour options at your fingertips, we can't blame you for not being able to settle on just one. If colour blocking is your thing, this boot trend is the easiest way to dip your toe into the look (literally), and the work is all done for you. Take an understated route in styling this trend by pairing your multi-toned boots with a colour from the shoe, or for a street style pro look, marry them with pants of a different colour. In particular, black and white boots will look stunning against yellow, green or blue (okay, virtually any colour) pants.
Tory Burch Lila Pointed Toe Boot
Tory Burch Lila Pointed Toe Boot [26] ($698)
Looks Like Summer Dakota Ankle Boot
Looks Like Summer Dakota Ankle Boot [27] ($105, originally $254)
Proenza Schouler Leather Ankle Boots
Proenza Schouler Leather Ankle Boots [28] ($940)
Camper Upright Two-Tone Boots
Camper Upright Two-Tone Boots [29] ($200)
Tony Bianco Khan Boots
Tony Bianco Khan Boots [30] ($225)
Winter 2020 Trend: Combat
As another style that is almost guaranteed a spot among the biggest boot trends year after year, there was no shortage of combat boot inspiration on the Fall/Winter runway. Rochas [31], Valentino [32] and Margaret Howell [33] were just a few of the designers fueling the trend in 2020, each offering stand-out design elements that would elevate the age-old boot style into modern territory — Think statement platforms, and unexpected colorways. The telltale indication of a booming fashion trend in 2020? Instagram is basically an endless encyclopedia of combat boot styling inspiration right now, much to our advantage. Ways that some of our favourite fashion girls are wearing the trend this season include merging the trend with spring elements during the winter, such as floral pieces, or on the more casual end of the spectrum, tucking their favourite pair of joggers into a pair of combat platform booties.
Coach Lara Combat Bootie
Coach Lara Combat Bootie [34] ($250)
rag & bone Shiloh Combat Bootie
rag & bone Shiloh Combat Bootie [35] ($525)
Dr. Martens Jadon Boot
Dr. Martens Jadon Boot [36] ($180)
Kamryn Lace Up Combat Boot
Kamryn Lace Up Combat Boot [37] ($35)
Zara Studded Low Heel Leather Ankle Boots
Zara Studded Low Heel Leather Ankle Boots [38] ($129)
Winter 2020 Boot Trend: Bold Colour
In a time when minimalistic fashion and loungewear elements intertwined with everyday wear hold rein, accessories and shoes are taking the front seat for many of us these days — and it's nothing to be mad at. The coloured boot trend offers an element of surprise to every outfit, and there's so many different styling routes to take. Match your boots to a full on monochrome look, take a colour blocking approach, or simply spice up a pair of jeans with a pink heel.
Dear Frances Cube Boot
Dear Frances Cube Boot [39] ($575)
Modcloth Burgundy Heights Over-The-Knee Boot
Modcloth Burgundy Heights Over-The-Knee Boot [40] ($70)
Shoe Dazzle Night Is Young Asymmetrical Stiletto Boot
Shoe Dazzle Night Is Young Asymmetrical Stiletto Boot [41] ($65)
ASOS Radley Knitted Sock Boots
ASOS Radley Knitted Sock Boots [42] ($42, originally $56)
Senso Qweene III Stretch Boots
Senso Qweene III Stretch Boots [43] ($127, originally $159)
