The "Risky" Shoe Trend Taking the Place of Basic Booties

When it comes to boot trends, there are key styles that will always be "in,” like pointed booties and moto silhouettes. But this season, fashion people and celebs alike continue introducing fresh boot silhouettes into their wardrobes as alternatives to basic booties, including a slighter "riskier” choice: platform boots.
Statement-making in nature, this shoe style has the ability to instantly amp up (literally) even the most simple ensemble thanks to its bold and somewhat daring design. And while heeled platforms are a favorite, there’s a variety of flatform picks out there as well (ahem, the Prada silhouettes the fashion crowd loves) to bring comfort and ease to an ensemble. And sure, these styles won’t completely replace basic booties (they're a staple), but we think more and more style-setters will gravitate toward them this season.
To highlight this fashion-forward shoe trend even more, we’re showing you how some of the trendiest people are wearing platform boots RN and also shopped out some key styles if you’re interested in upgrading your looks.
On Hailey Bieber: Bottega Veneta coat and bag; The Row Zip-Up Boots ($1290)
Roll up your straight-leg jeans to really highlight the flatform boots.
On Vanessa Hudgens: Michael Kors Collection look
Platform ankle boots are especially sophisticated with a tailored ensemble.
On Billy Porter: Coach boots
This entire ensemble is especially fashion-forward, right on down to the sleek platform boots.
On Bella Hadid: Maison Margiela suit; Nodaleto boots
Square-toe boots are impossibly cool with an on-trend pinstripe suit.
You can’t go wrong with ’90s-inspired straight-leg jeans flatform boots.
Chunky shoes feel unexpected (and so right) with a suit.
We’ll see this outfit trend everywhere this season with a cropped cardigan, plaid skirt, and platforms.
A square-neck dress teamed with platform booties is effortless and chic.
Stuffing trousers into platform boots is modern and fresh.
Skinny jeans work well with mid-calf or knee-high boots to make a statement.
While just about any boot silhouette would work with this sweater-and-trousers outfit, the platform boots take it to the next level.
Shop more platform boots:
Next: This Fall Boot Trend Will Make Every Outfit Instantly Cooler—See the Proof

Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent 10 years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises.
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