Boots rise as this season's defining footwear

Across runways and city streets this fall and winter, designers and fashion editors are pointing to boots as the season's defining footwear, with suede, croc-embossed leather and a renewed interest in wedge and kitten-heel silhouettes dominating assortments from established houses to accessible labels. The shift marks both a return to textural materials and a reworking of classic shapes for practical, everyday wear.

Classic forms remain central. Chelsea, riding and Western boots continue to anchor collections alongside ankle, knee-high and lace-up styles, offering a range of heights and toe shapes to suit varied wardrobes. Designers are emphasizing longevity and fit, noting that well-made leather boots soften and mold with wear, increasing their value over time. At the same time, suede has emerged as a standout material this season, with deep browns and earthy tones highlighted as particularly versatile for daytime and evening looks.

Croc-embossed leather is another prominent motif, applied across knee-high and ankle boots as well as in more experimental colorways such as olive and burgundy. These textured finishes appear in both flat and heeled options, from low kitten heels to...