Calling It Now: These 7 Boot Trends Will Dominate Fall 2026

If towering stilettos aren’t exactly your idea of an everyday shoe, you’ll be pleased to know the kitten heel is coming for your boot collection. The barely-there heel has been gaining momentum across footwear, and boots are the latest category to get the treatment. In fact, the kitten heel was one of the recurring footwear silhouettes on the fall 2026 runways, with Celine, Prada and Proenza Schouler all showing their own versions. What I love most about this trend is how easily it can transform looks. Look for slim heels around 1 to 2 inches high and streamlined silhouettes rather than chunky soles; the overall effect should feel sleek and distinctly ’90s.

Leopard may be a neutral, but this fall, it’s getting some competition. Snakeskin, zebra, croc and other animal-inspired textures are popping up on boots of every height, from ankle booties to knee-high styles. And this one has serious runway backing, with brands like Isabel Marant, Ulla Johnson and Dries Van Noten all playing with snakeskin finishes for fall. Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Lanvin also sent croc-embossed boots down the runway, while Khaite, Jil Sander and Saint Laurent worked animal prints into their fall footwear. The easiest way to wear the trend is to let your boots do all the talking. Pair snakeskin booties with straight-leg denim and a sweater, or use leopard knee-highs to add some personality to an otherwise neutral dress. And don’t be afraid to experiment beyond traditional brown and black; unexpected color combinations can make the trend feel even more wearable.

Perhaps it’s our collective obsession with all things preppy, but classic riding boots are officially galloping back into the spotlight. The proof was all over the fall runways, where Hermès, Proenza Schouler and Tory Burch leaned into tall, utilitarian riding boots. Even Miu Miu toned down its hardware-heavy harness styles for a more understated take on the look. The fall 2026 versions lean decidedly minimalist with tall shafts, low heels and leather with little to no embellishment. And no, you absolutely do not need a horse to pull them off. Wear them over leggings or skinny jeans for an equestrian look, or pair them with a midi skirt to create some contrast. Rich chocolate brown is always a winner, although you can never go wrong with timeless black leather.

Why choose one color when you can have two? Color-blocked and two-tone footwear is having a moment, and boots offer plenty of real estate to play with contrasting shades, materials and textures. You can thank Chanel, at least in part, for this one. Matthieu Blazy made the house’s signature two-tone footwear feel fresh for spring 2026, and the idea carried right into fall. Black and white is, of course, the most obvious (and arguably easiest way to get in on the trend) but brown and cream, burgundy and black or even contrasting shades of the same color work, too.

If you invested in suede last fall, congratulations your purchase is about to get plenty more wear. Suede was one of the defining materials of fall 2025’s boho revival, and rather than disappearing after one season, it has settled into wardrobe-staple territory. The texture was already all over New York Fashion Week street style earlier this year, often in head-to-toe brown looks with suede boots, jackets and bags, while fall 2026 collections from brands like Alberta Ferretti are keeping suede boots firmly in rotation. The soft material continues its reign for fall 2026, especially in warm, earthy shades like chocolate brown, camel, chestnut and olive (Tibi, Joseph, Acne Studios and Paloma Wool all showed the earthy color for fall). Plus, suede works with virtually every boot silhouette on this list, just remember that suede and unpredictable fall weather aren’t the best match, so treat your pair with a protective spray before taking them out for a spin.

Moto boots aren’t riding off into the sunset just yet. They were one of fall 2025’s biggest boho-adjacent boot trends, and the hardware-heavy look is evolving rather than disappearing this season. On this season’s runways, buckled boots showed up at Dries Van Noten, while Burberry introduced its biker-inspired Kent boot for winter 2026. Even some of the season’s riding boots are blurring the line between equestrian and moto, with buckles, harnesses and sturdy leather giving otherwise classic silhouettes a tougher feel. The style remains one of my favorite ways to add a little edge to a feminine outfit. The key for wearing it this fall is to avoid going too literal. Instead of pairing them with head-to-toe leather, try moto boots with a floaty dress, pleated midi skirt or oversized denim. Buckles and harness details are still very much welcome, but streamlined shapes keep the trend feeling fashion-forward rather than like you’re about to hop on a Harley.

After years of ultra-structured knee-highs dominating the boot conversation, things are finally loosening up. Slouchy boots—with shafts that bunch, fold or collapse around the ankle and calf—are making a major comeback. And if there’s one trend on this list with undeniable runway receipts, it’s this one. Slouchy silhouettes appeared at Isabel Marant, Chloé, Stella McCartney, Balenciaga and Rick Owens, while McQueen showed knee-high boots ruched around the ankle. Selena Gomez has already gotten in on the look, too, recently stepping out in a slouchy brown pair in Venice. Yes, there’s something undeniably boho about them, especially in suede, but you don’t have to go full 2000s Sienna Miller to make the trend work. Pair yours with a streamlined midi dress, tailored culottes or a miniskirt to balance all that volume. And if a dramatically slouched knee-high feels intimidating, start with an ankle boot that has just a little ruching around the shaft.