The 7 Boot Trends We’re Dumping in 2019

Now that we can feel the air getting crisper and the weather
getting cooler, we’ve officially entered boot season. Biased as
I might be (I am a November baby, after all), I stand by the
fact that boot season is the best season. For one, the
outfits are just better. Sure, you can point to the layering
or the knits as to why the fashion just feels stronger this time of
year, but I’ll be firmly advocating that a solid pair of boots has
a lot to do with it.

Great, now that we’ve got that settled, let’s get into what
you’re really here for: boot trends. Curious about
which outdated boot styles you should retire to upgrade your
wardrobe? I asked Who What Wear editors to name the boot trends
they’re breaking up with this fall and, of course, which trends
you can find them wearing on repeat instead. Let’s face it: We’ll
be wearing our boots
nonstop from now until April, so if you haven’t found your
ideal pair (or two or three pairs) yet, there’s no better time
than the present. From the sock boots that multiple editors are
putting away to the knee-high boots that are already trending
hard for fall, keep reading to find out which boot trends we’re
naming as in and out, and shop each one we’re here for.

Retiring:
Sock boots. Adopting: Knee-high boots. “Those stretchy-fabric sock
boots that were once so popular have officially bit the dust. The
comeback boot trend that I have my eye on this season is knee
boots. They’re everywhere right now.”

Retiring:
Western boots. Adopting: Sleek hardware. “I’m personally over the
Western boot trend. I’m actually gravitating toward more
streamlined silhouettes that feature subtle yet statement-making
details like these zippered stunners.”

Retiring: Motorcycle
boots. Adopting: Slouchy leather boots. “My motorcycle boots have
been collecting dust at the back of my closet, and I’m not planning
on bringing them back anytime soon. Instead, I’ve been wearing more
streamlined styles like slouchy leather boots. The silhouette is
all I want to wear right now—whether layered underneath long
skirts and dresses or paired with jeans.”

Retiring: Round-toe
boots. Adopting: Square-toe boots. Nothing against round-toe boots
per se, but lately they don’t seem as enticing to me
as their square-toe friends. Even though I definitely own
several rounded pairs, I’ll be prioritizing square-toe boots
instead to make my outfits a bit more on trend this fall and
winter.

Retiring: Tight,
over-the-knee boots. Adopting: Ankle boots with a wide shaft.
“Super-tight, over-the-knee boots served me well for quite a few
years, but it’s been a while since I’ve found myself wanting to
reach for them again. Instead, I’ve found myself oddly into heeled
ankle boots that have a wider and higher shaft than the tighter,
more structured pairs of last fall.”

Retiring: Classic
Chelsea boots. Adopting: Platform boots. “I have been over the
classic Chelsea boot style for quite some time now. Compared to
all the other boot trends out there, it always just feels a little
tired. This season, I am particularly excited about the return of
platform boots. I’ve had my eye on these Simon Miller beauties for
a while now, and writing this is making me realize it’s officially
time to bite the bullet and buy.”

Retiring:
Sock boots. Adopting: Heeled lace-up boots. “From my sock boots to
over-the-knee styles, this season I’m retiring my stretchy,
skin-tight boots in favor of heeled lace-up ankle boots (a big
trend seen on the F/W 19 runways). They add a little
Victorian-era drama to every outfit. I’ll be buying them in a chic
and versatile creamy hue.”