5 Winter 2025/2026 Boot Trends To Add To Your Wardrobe ASAP

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We already know winter 2025/2026 is ushering in a new wave of boot color trends (say hello to maroon and burgundy and goodbye to boring black!) but the coldest time of the year is also bringing a slew of trendy shapes and styles. "We're seeing boot shapes that push beyond the standard ankle or knee‑high: slouch boots are coming back, with relaxed shafts and a 'puddle' effect at the ankle," Joseph Katz, fashion stylist, lifestyle expert, and host of "The Katz Walk" on YouTube, tells Women.com.

But slouchy boots are not the only trendy footwear we can expect to see everywhere as the temperature plunges. "We are also going to see the heel as part of the detail such as sculptural or curved heels," Katz explains. "Also, we are seeing boots this season as timeless and longevity in the styles which is great for the shopper that likes to keep their boots more than one season," he adds, and that's good news for those who want footwear that won't instantly become outdated, like these winter 2025/2026 trends. Katz is exclusively breaking down the biggest boots trends with Women.com, and we're throwing in the best tips and tricks to style them all season long.

It's time for the return of fitted boots (think sock boots or glove boots), that fit close to the body. These are ideal for winter because they look  chic paired with a dress and matching tights to create a flattering, streamline silhouette. Joseph Katz suggests another way to style the footwear, noting, "[Fitted boots are] great to wear with denim or a great midi skirt." They're also an easy shortcut to modernize any outfit. Though slouchy, loose denim has been one of the hottest trends of 2025, if your preference is classically Millennial, fitted style, throwing on a snug boot with a slim heel is a great way to ensure your skinny jean look won't appear outdated. 

Katz recommends Donald Pliner's Foxi boot as modern way to rock the trend. The Atsroel Store Fall Boots in A-Brown or Goiphrri Ankle Boots in A-Brown will work too. They'll have you double on-trend as well, as brown suede is one of the hottest boot colors for winter.

Cowboy boots are just one of several '70s-inspired boot trends we've seen everywhere in fall/winter 2025. "The western boot is here thanks to Beyoncé and many others and it adds a fun unexpected look to wear with maxi and midi skirts," Joseph Katz exclusively tells us, recommending the Tecovas' The Abby boot in Suede for this season. "For a boot no one is going to have, I love this Paris Texas boot," he adds.

Though we've seen a lot of plain black western-inspired boots around amid the long-standing trend, to be on-point for winter 2025/2026, don't be afraid to play around with patterns and texture. An animal print element is truly the way to go if you're feeling bold, as the likes of snakeskin, cheetah, and leopard are winter 2025/2026 fashion trends you won't be able to ignore. Try the Coconuts by Matisse Gaucho boot in White or the ARIAT Frontier Farrah Western Boot in Beduino.

Joseph Katz exclusively tells Women.com that tall boots are back in style, noting, "This one I always feel is a very sexy boot." And he's not wrong. Thigh-high boots can be super sultry depending on how you style them. Paired with a miniskirt or shorter dress to show just a hint of skin on the upper thigh. Taylor Swift loves this look and has been known to rock thigh-high boots with bare thighs or sheer tights.

But don't think you have to necessarily show a lot of skin to make the look work. "This is great to style with sweater dresses or fitted jean," Katz says. He recommends the Avah boot from Tony Bianco or the slightly slouchy Sienna boot from Mallet, which features a fun, pointed toe. To hit the brown suede trend as well and have a more practical heel, give Dream Pairs' Pointed Toe Thigh High Over the Knee Boots a go in trendy Brown.

Another hot fashion item for the colder months is boots with a stacked heel (aka a heel with visible layers stacked on top of another). "The stacked heel boot is a classic and timeless," Joseph Katz exclusively shares, noting this heel type is great for making people look taller. "This is a great classic stacked heel boot from Mimmu," Katz says of the brand's Zoe boot. He also recommends Bobbies' Callie boot. Both are available in brown too to give your outfit a trendy, modern aesthetic.

When it comes to styling stacked heel boots, you'll be happy to hear they're super versatile. The right pair can carry you from the milder fall into winter transitional days all the way through to the coldest depths of the season, so they're perfect if you don't want to spend a lot buying various pairs of new boots. "These are great with sweater dresses, wide leg trousers and midi and maxi skirts," Katz shares.

As mentioned previously, snakeskin is one of the most prominent boot trends for winter 2025/2026. For those who want to really make a statement, Joseph Katz recommends Inez's Sylvia boots in Natural Snake, a mid-calf style that features a neutral brown that will go with everything. Meanwhile, those who prefer something more subtle would appreciate the Nitro Brown Snake boot from Steve Madden.

Regardless of what color snakeskin you reach for, keep in mind that less is more when putting together an outfit with such loud footwear. "Keep the dress simple and add a snakeskin and it balances the look," Katz says. "[Pair snakeskin boots with] black looks, denim looks, and neutrals and earth tones," he adds. That won't be difficult, because colors like bitter chocolate and whipped cream are among the season's big color trends, and they'll pair perfectly with a snakeskin boot.