Ankle Boots

Heel Height Sorts Them Fast

The quickest way through a wall of ankle boots is to ignore the style for a minute and read the number under the heel. Below 2 inches is walking height: a western boot on a low block, a lug sole combat, a hiker style lace-up. Around 2.5 to 3 inches is standing height, home to most short cowboy boots, where you gain lift without tipping your weight onto the ball of the foot. From 3.5 inches up you are in evening territory, with pointed booties and stilettos made for dinners, desk days and nights with a chair close by.

• Under 2 inches. Errands, campus, travel and long days on concrete.
• 2.5 to 3 inches. Concerts, weddings and dance floors where you stand for hours.
• 3.5 inches and up. Dinners, offices and events with seats.
• Width over height. A broad block at 3 inches feels steadier than a needle at 2.5.

What Ankle Boots Are in Fashion Now

A handful of families carry most fall outfits right now. Western ankle boots, dressed in rhinestones, metallic finishes and even clear shafts instead of plain brown hide. Lug sole boots, from classic combats to hiker styles with speed hooks and padded collars. And sleek heeled booties in prints and soft neutrals, leopard and sand among them. What ties them together is the short shaft, which hands the styling job to your hem.

• Western with shine. Rhinestones, metallic pink and clear studded shafts for nights out.
• Lug sole and hiker. Deep tread, laces and a side zipper for weather and travel.
• Sleek and heeled. Booties in leopard, sand and metallic mesh for dinners and desk days.

One Pair From September to March

Ankle boots straddle the cold seasons, and demand shows it: searches jump more than tenfold between July and October. In early fall they go with bare legs and a midi. By November they sit over tights and under wide jeans. On a dry day in March they bridge the gap until sandals make sense again, and a bootie with mesh or cutouts makes that bridge feel lighter.

• Early fall. Bare legs, a midi and a low western boot.
• Deep fall. Opaque tights with a laced or lug sole pair.
• Dry winter days. Faux suede with wool, kept clear of slush.
• Early spring. Mesh, cutouts and pale neutrals like sand.

Pick Your Pair by Your Week

Count the days you walk far, the days you stand still and the evenings you go out, and buy for the biggest number, since a boot that suits your ordinary week gets worn far more than one bought for a single party. Walkers do best on a low block or a lug sole, standers on a mid height western heel, and the going out crowd on a pointed stiletto bootie. If you want the toe to carry the look, the pointed toe boots page gathers the sharpest silhouettes, and steady wide heels get their own block heel boots page.