Suddenly, Everyone Is Wearing This Comfy Boot Trend–Here's How It Replaced Flats

Ankle boots and I have a love-hate relationship. They are undoubtedly one of my favourite essential shoe styles, especially for the colder months, but year after year I struggle to find the Goldilocks pair—the ones that are just right. Styles with tall heels look amazing and always instil a certain type of sartorial confidence, but if I'm honest, I'm too much of a wimp to commit to a day of walking around in towering heels. Plus, we can all agree that the higher the boot, the more uncomfortable they tend to be, right? And while a flat of chunky sole boot is certainly more practical, they don't feel elevated enough to wear for every occasion. It's a catch-22, boot edition.

Enter, this season's latest trending boot style: the low-heel ankle boot. Understatedly chic and endlessly versatile, this is the style that promises to solve the ankle boot problem.

Now a bona fide trending shoe style that is set to go nowehere this year, there are plenty of different versions to choose from, and at a price point to suit every budget. Thanks to Toteme and The Row, ultra-thin kitten heel boots with a fitted silhouette are top of the tastemaker wish list and have been adapted for high street prices by the likes of COS and M&S. Styled with straight leg jeans, they add the perfect polished finish to an otherwise casual, easy outfit.

But if you're after something a little sturdier, there are plenty of chunky heel options, too. You can swap the Scandi minimalism of the kitten heel style for a Western-inspired cowboy ankle boot, courtesy of Isabel Marant or Free People. And then there's always the classic block heel, which will work with so many outfits and never go out of style. Whatever your aesthetic, I've found the best low-heel ankle boots for every budget. 

Next Up: 8 Shoe Colours That Will Lead the Trends in 2024