Trend Report

5 Major Boot Trends Our Editors Are Buying for 2026


Millennials, rejoice—ankle boots are officially staging their big comeback.
2026 boot trends  COPENHAGEN DENMARK  JANUARY 27 A guest wears a long ivory doublebreasted coat with a high structured...
Raimonda Kulikauskiene

Now that we’re in the thick of winter, it’s officially time to acquaint yourself with 2026’s biggest boot trends—styles you’ll want to wear now and break out again in fall. The common denominator this year? Minimalism. Whether you’re most drawn to easy-chic ankle boots, sleek black knee-highs, or virtually soleless pairs that mimic the season’s trendiest sneakers, the energy is the same: versatile and highly walkable. Whether you’re buying another pair of winter boots or a transitional pair for spring, brush up on the most exciting boot trends of the season, according to style pros, below.

Our 2026 Picks

The Chic Amazon Find
RJYLP Block-Heel Ankle Boots
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The On-Sale Kitten Heels
Nine West Caddy Boots
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The English Wellies
Barbour Banbury Rain Boots
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The Wear-Everywhere Booties
Bernardo Belfast Boots
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The Extra-Slim Steal
Scoop Stretch Flat Ankle Booties
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1. French-girl boots

PARIS FRANCE  JANUARY 27 A guest wears black turtleneck top tan fur jacket blue straight leg jeans black boots black...
Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images

Thanks in part to the big 2016 revival, French-girl style is at the forefront of fashion right now. And we’re finding ourselves daydreaming about the Parisian woman’s footwear of choice: pointy-toe ankle boots with commuter-friendly heels. Their true appeal is in the layering; they tuck deliciously into jeans of all kinds, including Francophile picks like cigarette-, straight-, and wide-leg cuts. (Tailored trousers and maxiskirts are also very much in play.) The result is a metropolitan look that pairs well with everything from trench coats to hoodies—every city girl’s dream.

Quince Italian Leather Stretch Sock Boots
Courtesy of brand

Quince Italian Leather Stretch Sock Boots

Coutgo Chunky Ankle Boots
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Coutgo Chunky Ankle Boots

Sézane Garance Ankle Boots
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Sézane Garance Ankle Boots

Reformation Remy Stretch Ankle Boots
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Reformation Remy Stretch Ankle Boots

Vagabond Shoemakers Fay Ankle Boots
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Vagabond Shoemakers Fay Ankle Boots

Rjylp Block-Heel Ankle Boots
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RJYLP Block-Heel Ankle Boots

2. Tall black boots

PARIS FRANCE  OCTOBER 04 Kelsey Merritt wears black zipper mini skirt white bag knee high boots outside Hermes during...
Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Whereas the tail end of last year was defined by rich suede and flashy animal prints, the first half of 2026 is all about the humble black boot. This knee-high shape is the antithesis of flashy: largely devoid of hardware, logos, or extra design details. But that’s what makes it so fun—you get to breathe life into each pair with your styling choices. During the frigid months, go with a sweater dress and diamond jewelry or a chunky knit top with a wool midi. When the weather warms up, try a blazer and a miniskirt or a crisp button-down and long denim shorts.

Zara Buckled Jodhpur Boots
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Zara Buckled Jodhpur Boots

Anonymous Valle 20 Boots
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Anonymous Valle 20 Boots

Modatope Knee-High Boots
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Modatope Knee-High Boots

Nine West Caddy Boots
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Nine West Caddy Boots

Mango Leather High Boots
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Mango Leather High Boots

Reformation Dominique Knee Boots
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Reformation Dominique Knee Boots

3. Garden wellies

OSLO NORWAY  AUGUST 27 Marie Reierth wears black shorts vest creme white coat Hunter gum rain boots grey Mulberry bag...
Christian Vierig/Getty Images

Grandma style is all the rage for 2026, with elder-coded accessories like eyeglass chains and babushka scarves walking the spring catwalks. And as gardening apparel makes its way into the mainstream—including wellies at TWP’s most recent runway show and the rubber clogs you’ve seen all over Instagram—your grandmother’s rain boots are looking more and more like a great investment. Wear your pair with a blouse and work pants for a high-low look, or try shorts and a long mac coat as a nod to preppy English style.

Hunter Original Short Rain Boots
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Hunter Original Short Rain Boots

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Barbour Banbury Rain Boots

SeaVees Bolinas Boots
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SeaVees Bolinas Boots

Sperry Drizzle Chelsea Boots
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Sperry Drizzle Chelsea Boots

Asgard Packable Lightweight Tall Rain Boots
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Asgard Packable Lightweight Tall Rain Boots

Bogs Amanda II Mid Boots
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Bogs Amanda II Mid Boots

4. Chisel toes

PARIS FRANCE  JANUARY 2026 A guest wears long dark brown hair worn loose with a center part oversized black sunglasses...
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Make like the fashion crowd and split the difference between pointed and square toes this year. Chisel-toe boots have a certain nostalgic appeal that fits right in with our current moment, and the look is equal parts approachable and edgy. They’re also a cheat code for making anything in your wardrobe, from faded jeans to flowy skirts, feel appropriate for dressed-up occasions. Pick up one of the pairs below and you’ll instantly understand their magic.

Tony Bianco Estelle Boots
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Tony Bianco Estelle Boots

Sam Edelman Paige Boots
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Sam Edelman Paige Boots

Staud Wally Boots
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Staud Wally Boots

Raye Luna Boots
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Raye Luna Boots

Bernardo Belfast Boots
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Bernardo Belfast Boots

Everlane City Boots
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Everlane City Boots

5. Sock silhouettes

2026 boot trends  COPENHAGEN DENMARK  JANUARY 27 A guest wears a long ivory doublebreasted coat with a high structured...
Raimonda Kulikauskiene

Extra-slim sneakers are the coolest shape going into 2026, and that same low-to-the-ground silhouette is slowly trickling into our boot rotations. Good! Cool-girl labels like The Row, Proenza Schouler, and Fforme have all released their takes on the heelless silhouette, and the effect is gorgeous—a luxe, eye-catching update to the sock boots that trended a decade ago. Our edit includes truly flat options, booties with the most micro-heels possible, and one TikTok-famous pair that literally looks like a pair of socks. And they all look great with long winter coats and spring dresses.

Topshop Peri Boots
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Topshop Peri Boots

M.Gemi Una Booties
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M.Gemi Una Booties

Brave Pudding Hampton Strolls Boots
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Brave Pudding Hampton Strolls Boots

Leset Louis Sock Boots
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Leset Louis Sock Boots

Scoop Stretch Ankle Flat Booties
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Scoop Stretch Flat Ankle Booties

Le Monde Beryl Luna Boots
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Le Monde Beryl Luna Boots