These Are The Best Ankle Boots for Women, According to Our Expert Fashion Editors

The knee-high might be sexier, the thigh-high flashier, but there's something about the ankle boot. Yes, it's safe and naturally less of a statement than covering 35% of your skin in scrunched leather or suede, but that's no bad thing, especially now that we're slowly transitioning from summer into autumn.

Not only can a well-chosen ankle boot pair with almost every bottom half in your wardrobe—from flaring wool skirts that brush the mid-calf to your favourite pair of jeans (dark and straight denim is trending, FYI)—but, opt for a sock boot, cowboy or an on-point snake-print and, hell, they can give over-the-knees a run for their money.

• Best Cowboy Ankle Boots
• Best Snake Print Ankle Boots
• Best White Ankle Boots
• Best Lace-Up Ankle Boots
• Best Suede Ankle Boots
• Best Chelsea Ankle Boots
• Best Slouched Ankle Boots
• Best Rubber-Soled Ankle Boots
• Best Sock Ankle Boots

At the shows in Paris, there were ankle boots aplenty, spanning all kinds colours and styles, from the comfortable (essential when you're on your feet all day) to the simply statement-making (also essential when you're in Paris). And with new jacket trends, denim trends and trench coat designs all vying for our attention, it seems the ankle boot is another piece of the autumn dressing puzzle in need of some consideration.

From the cool girl cowboy to the rough and ready lace-up, these are the ankle boot styles repeat-spotted on some of the best dressed women we know. And if the shorter height isn't quite your style, take a look at our full boot trend edit too, with styling tips from Net-a-Porter's Buying Manager Lydia Zacharis.

Why Trust Us To Choose The Best Ankle Boots For Women

As fashion editors but also busy individuals, there's nothing we're more familiar with than a reliable pair of ankle boots. Speaking for myself, I've distilled my ankle boots down to one pair that, in my opinion, does it all: a cowboy-heeled, snake-print pair from Aeyde. I've had them resoled once because the leather didn't survive longer than a few seasons—this is to be expected, FYI—and haven't looked back since.

Cowboy Ankle Boots

The cowboy boot has become a classic for a reason and, especially in Paris, it's something of a uniform for off-duty models dashing between fittings and shows. Perhaps because of its comfortable block heel, or maybe its sharply pointed toe, but it has the ability to elevate the simplest outfit from an average 6 to a 10.

Snake Print Ankle Boots

"Last year it was all about leopard, largely driven by the renewed interest around Carolyn Bessette Kennedy's 90s style, whilst snake print (and zebra) are a fresher way to tap into animal print this year with easy statement options from the likes of Dries Van Noten and Paris Texas. Style them with jeans or tonal trousers and a knit, allowing them to stand out," says Zacharis.

White Ankle Boots

"White is an emerging trend across shoes in general. Sleek white options can either complement a minimal look or act as a palette cleanser to a bold, colour blocking outfit. Look to the likes of Jude, Jil Sander and Maison Margiela through their signature Tabi," adds Zacharis.

Lace-Up Ankle Boots

If you want a long-lasting ankle boot style that won't date but get better with age, you can't improve on the combat boot. Although slightly more serious in aesthetic than a block heel or a cowboy, as this street-styler proved in Paris, you can spike its practical characteristics with a shorter hemline (or even sequins come party season).

Suede Ankle Boots

"Suede is not going anywhere. Despite reservations around practicality when it rains, the fabrication gives ankle boots an elegant, elevated angle that we have embraced over the last two years especially. The Row's boot is a great example of a casual yet polished best seller with other great options from brands such as Jimmy Choo, Herbert Levine and Gianvito Rossi," says Zacharis.

Chelsea Ankle Boots

There's no ankle boot that's more of a classic than a Chelsea, with its flat sole (avec the merest heel) and a rounded toe. As this ticket-holder proves, however, flat doesn't mean you can't still make it a fabulous proposition. Just add a shorter hemline via a thigh-high coat or skirt.

Slouched Ankle Boots

Stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson packed a very special pair of boots to Paris. They were studded and pointed but, more importantly, slouched so that what might have been knee-height was more like ankle-length. Don't hold back on print, embellishment or a conical heel (Isabel Marant's ticks two boxes, FYI); the slouched ankle boot is made to be noticed.

Rubber-Soled Ankle Boots

Rubber-soled, track-heeled ankle boots used to be the most popular style come Winter. They've since been slightly edged out for the sleek cowboy, but for practicality, you still can't beat them.

Sock Ankle Boots

"In the spirit of Phoebe Philo's Céline era stretch leather sock boots, this silhouette is seeing a resurgence. Phoebe has brought back an iteration through her namesake label's Club boot whilst Bottega Veneta, Khaite and Dries Van Noten have leaned into literal variations, mostly in super soft leather, which can look sophisticated under both trousers and skirts. Alaïa's take on their signature Coeur, as a low heel point toe stiletto, stole our (literally!) hearts," says Zacharis.

How To Choose A Pair Of Ankle Boots

The first thing to consider is what function do you want your ankle boots to perform. Are you looking for something that's office-appropriate and comfortable enough that you can wear them to commute? Or are you in the market for a playful ankle boot that still has day-to-night potential in your wardrobe? Once you've figured out your list of non-negotiables (black, flat, leather etc), you'll be able to narrow down your search to a laser-focus. If you prefer shopping IRL, it's worth bringing or wearing the bottom half (or halves) you want to pair with your boots so that you can see if the aesthetics (not to mention hemlines) work together. And if they don't but you love the boots in question, don't forget that you can always get a pair of jeans, say, turned up a few centimetres so they fall just so over the upper.