Ankle boots: The biggest trends you need to invest in now

Finding the perfect pair of ankle boots is an essential shopping goal. From heels to flats and Chelsea boots to biker boots, a good pair can be styled all year-round, no matter the weather.

From Celine to Topshop, the past few seasons have seen ankle boots all over the runways, while our favourite street style looks at London Fashion Week teamed floaty dresses with tough, androgynous combat styles, or leggings tucked into white boots and finished with an oversized knit.

Perfect for that tricky winter to spring transition, ankle boots should be a staple of every wardrobe. So to help you find your perfect new pair, we’ve broken down the season’s key boot trends below.

Whatever your style, here’s where to start the ankle boot hunt.

Flat ankle boots

We’re taking our cue from the style set and embracing flat ankle boots—there’s no reason not to be comfortable and stylish, after all. We’ll be teaming ours with unexpected pieces from midi skirts, à la Alexa Chung, to long floral dresses like our favourite street style star Veronika Heilbrunner.

With this season’s love of all things androgynous, we’ll be digging out our oversized jumpers and palazzo trousers too (hello Victoria Beckham).

Shop now: Alfie Croc Boots, £92 from Topshop

Heeled ankle boots

While flats are still a mainstay among the street style set, last season’s high heel revival continues for S/S18, and new collections are full of heeled boots packing bold colours, clashing prints and embellishments.

The unexpected return of the kitten heel is still in the mix too, so make the most of it if you’re not great with towering heel heights.

Shop now: Isabel Marant Darilay Ankle Boots, £460 from 24 Sèvres

Leather and suede ankle boots

Classic suede boots are still are a firm fixture as one of the best ankle boot styles of the season, but luxe, high-gloss leather finishes are offering hot competition—and not just because they’re weather-proof.

Look for wear-forever classics with directional accents, like these polished Acne Studios boots; an investment well worth making.

Shop now: Acne Studios Cliffie Boots, £600 from Net-a-Porter.com

Print ankle boots

This season is all about bold boots. The catwalks, and in turn the high street, have ushered in a seductive selection of second-skin stocking styles that look great under culottes, cropped raw hem jeans and kick-flares.

Think brocade, florals or chinoiserie prints, or, if you’re feeling bold, embrace the trend for neon skin-tight ankle boots paired with a colourful dress. Go big or go home is your motto here.

Shop now: Floral Embroidered Ankle Boots, £69.99 from Mango

Red ankle boots

If you haven’t noticed, red is everywhere at the moment, and the more the better. That means red jumper, red trousers and red ankle boots if you’re brave enough. If not, this trend looks incredible with black leggings or denim; let your bold boots serve as the only pop of colour for extra impact.

Shop now: Red Stretch Ankle Boots, £49.99 from Zara

White ankle boots

At London Fashion Week white boots were everywhere. The street style set wore their Off_White and Balenciaga heels with stirrups, checked suits or floral midi dresses. Look for leather kitten heels, knitted sock boots or block heels to keep things feeling modern.

Shop now: Balenciaga Slash Leather Booties, £655 from Matches Fashion

Pink ankle boots

Pink is still the hot ticket this season, so if you weren’t sure about investing in a pair of pink boots last season, go for it this time around. Any shade goes, whether it’s hot fuchsia, soft pastels or Millennial pink.

Shop now: Powder pink ankle boots, £110 from & Other Stories

Sock ankle boots

Blame Balenciaga and those floral boots, but if you’re going to invest in just one trend this season, it has to be sock boots. Whether they’re knitted, mesh, metallic or plain, anything goes, as long as it’s a second-skin sock boot.

Shop now: Loeffler Randall Kassidy Sock Boots, £400 from Net-a-Porter.com

Biker ankle boots

When in doubt, biker boots or combat styles are always a winner. They toughen up a floral dress like nothing else, and work equally well with your trusted denim. Look for fun twists from buckles and studs, to bows and patent panels, to dress them up a bit.

Shop now: Ash Studded Buckle Strap Boots, £343 from Far Fetch

Scroll down to shop more ankle boots, and be sure to check out our edit of the best winter boots and the best knee high boots, too.