I’ll admit that I just bought another pair of sandals last night (sorry, these end-of-summer sales are hard to resist). But I am now mentally ready to move on to boot shopping, especially since September is right around the corner. In my experience, all of the best boots start to sell out by October, so even though it’s still 100 degrees outside, the ideal time to start shopping for new boots is now.
Naturally, the best way to kickstart my fall boot shopping is to consult my fellow Who What Wear editors. I was smart to do so, as they have some excellent boot recommendations up their sleeves. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite new boots for fall 2023, all of which have plenty of stock available (which probably won’t be the case in a month).
Scroll on to start your fall boot shopping along with us.
“I just sent these Banana Republic boots to a friend of mine looking for recommendations. I love the square toe.”—Bobby Schuessler
“Koio makes amazing boots. I have a pair from a few years ago that I’ve worn on repeat. The Chelsea boots are particularly noteworthy.”
“I’ve heard great things about Reformation’s boots and after falling in love with a pair of their wedges this summer, I’m ready to test-drive more of their shoes for fall. These moto boots hit on one of fall’s biggest boot trends while still looking wearable. Plus, I already know how good they look with dresses.”—Anna LaPlaca
“Black knee boots should be a staple in every closet, but this slim heel and point-toe shape really take things to the next level.”
“Last season, I decided to finally invest in a Staud Wally boots in black, and it was possibly the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. When I tell you I’ve never owned a more comfortable heeled boot in my life, I’m not being melodramatic. Everything about the fit is perfection—not only does it fit true to size, but the heel size is easy to walk around in, and the width around the calves isn’t too snug. I’m so obsessed with these boots that I’m committed to buying them in another color this season (I’m leaning towards this saffron-red pair as they’re on-trend, but honestly, they’re all so good)!”—Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
“The first time I saw these boots on the S/S23 Off-White runway, I was sprung. I’ve always been a fan of surrealist-inspired shoes, and these boots take the cake for me. I love that the classic black knee-high boot is given a fun update with a spring-inspired heel—it’s just so fun! I can imagine these giving me a little extra bounce to my step this fall that I didn’t even realize I needed until now.”
“I personally have only had good experiences with Zara boots, so when I saw this luxe-looking pair in the new arrivals section, I was quick to add it to my cart. I already have a few basic black boots, so I love the metal cap-toe on this that just brings the boot to another level. Also at $100, they’re a lot more budget-friendly than the designer options on my radar right now.”—Yusra Siddiqui
“I’ve had my eyes set on Staud’s Wally Boot for quite some time now, and I think this season is the one where I take the plunge. I shockingly don’t own a pair of brown boots and am torn between this and Khaite’s Dallas Boot, but the price of these and the tall leg are much more appealing to me right now.”
“Chocolate brown knee boots are at the top of my fall wish list, and I guess my search can end here because these are perfect—no notes.”—Allyson Payer
“At the end of last winter, I told myself I’d find a great pair of comfortable kitten-heel boots that I could wear with everything, and I’ve already completed that task. The sheen of the leather is cool and I could easily see them with both casual and nighttime outfits.”
“I prefer Western boots to be on the subtle end of this spectrum, and these are exactly that. They’d look great with everything from denim to dresses, and the price point is great for such an expensive-looking pair.”
“I’ve been on the hunt for a pair of boots with a low heel that can easily be styled with jeans. This sleek pair from Khaite is everything I’ve been looking for and are sitting at the top of my fall shopping list.”—Kristen Nichols
“I already ordered these Saint Laurent boots but have been waiting until fall to wear them—I love that they land somewhere between the designs of a riding boot and a Western cowboy boot.”
“My dream fall boot would have to be the Dallas boots by Khaite. I’ve watched them grace my screen as I scroll through Instagram countless times and always admired them for being timeless yet still feeling very current. This is certainly an item worth saving up for.”—Sierra Mayhew
“Since I’m not ready to splurge on the Khatie boots quite yet, my heart is set on these Steve Madden boots. They nod to the rock and roll boot trend that walked right off the Miu Miu runways. This feels like a practical purchase for fall because the flat sole will be easy to walk in and it will make any outfit I wear feel very 2023.”
“I don’t know what it is about riding boots, but they have my heart for life. This modern take is super sleek and worth the investment. I’d wear them with a neutral oversized sweater and leggings for a laid-back yet elevated look.”—Jennifer Camp Forbes
“These chic knee-high boots are high on my list thanks to their major ’90s vibes—They feel like they’re straight out of Gwyneth Paltrow’s stellar wardrobe from her films like The Perfect Murder and Great Expectations.”