Say Goodbye To Your Ankle Boots This Fall And Walk Into A Fresher Shoe Trend

Long a beloved staple of Millennials everywhere, the ankle boot is slipping out of fashion favor. "Ankle boots have been ruling for years now, and though a great go-to, they sometimes can be a little basic and overdone," Cynthia Kennedy, personal stylist and creator of Your Style Transformation Academy, exclusively tells Women.com. With ankle boots officially an outdated boot trend to step away from in 2025, other boot shapes are dominating fall trends.

Instead, transition into fall with a knee-high boot –- a classic shoe that nonetheless looks fresh this fall. "They're way more practical than ankle boots and give additional coverage and warmth when the weather changes," says Kennedy. In particular, look for boots crafted from luxe textures like suede, which is having a major fashion moment. "Clients really love them because they have that perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and versatility," she says. "Plus, they go great with knits, tweeds, wool, and leather." While tall boots over skinny jeans might be giving "Christian girl autumn" — skinny jeans are one of those outdated denim trends you don't want to be caught wearing — there are plenty of ways to style a tall boot that feel modern.

Perhaps the easiest way to subvert the tired boots and skinny jeans look is simply to tuck your jeans inside your boots. This works well with cropped denim or even a boot cut style pant. "For an everyday classic, yet modern, look, you can't go wrong with tucking a pair of your sleek suede boots into a pair of straight or slim-fitting jeans," explains Cynthia Kennedy. "The taller length of the shaft draws the eye down, elongating your silhouette and your legs in the most flattering way."

But the longer visual line of tall boots also makes them ideal for pairing with skirts. "Knee-high boots look amazing with midi skirts and dresses because they fill in that gap between hem and shoe in a sleek way, creating a streamlined effect," says Kennedy. Pair tall boots with a pencil skirt to recreate a '90s trend that's making a comeback. Alternatively, the shaft height offers a fun visual tension when paired with a mini skirt. "The tall vertical line of the boot mixed with the short length of the skirt is a great way to play with proportions."