Black Boots Never Go Out of Style—30 Pairs You'll Want to Wear Forever

"You work in fashion? How many shoes do you own?" It might surprise you just how regularly I'm asked this question. Thanks to Carrie Bradshaw, everyone assumes I have cupboards lined with Manolos, and I keep sweaters in my oven. Neither is true. In reality, I own fewer pairs of shoes than most of my friends, and my mum has at least double the amount that I do. That's not to say, however, that I don't love shoes—I do! However, I rarely buy new ones, and when I do, it's often to replace a well-worn pair I already own.

A classicist at heart, my shoe collection is the most honed aspect of my wardrobe. It might sound boring, but most of my shoes are black—and therefore, I have a lot of black boots. The sole purpose I've chosen this colour is so my footwear will go with as many outfits as possible. This makes me happy; I never have to worry about matching my shoes to what I'm wearing; they just go. And right now, I'm starting to think about new season and whats in my wardrobe. I know the styles I'll be getting the most use out of are the best black boots lining the shelves of my shoe rack, whether it's a sleek pair of ankle boots or a statement knee-high pair.

What Boots Are in Style for 2024?

You might be wondering what boot styles are in this season. I currently have five pairs of black boots in my rotation; a knee-high pair, three ankle boots with varying heel heights, and some hiker-style lace-ups that have were incredibly useful during a cold snap we had. Typically, boots cost more than other shoe styles as they require considerably more fabric than, say, a pair of slingbacks or loafers, so I always view them as an investment. However, it's one with no real risk—versatile and incredibly sleek, black boots will never be dated and are the cornerstone of every good outfit I see on Instagram right now. From knee-high to ankle, flat to heeled, it seems fashion people are forgoing the more statement boot trends of the season for failsafe black, just as I have always done.

Which Boot Brands Should I Shop From?

There are hundreds of boot brands out there and even more shoe brands that you can sift through to find the perfect pair for autumn and beyond. It's a blessing and a curse, as the options are a touch overwhelming, but there are several boot brands our editors love to shop in particular. As far as designer boot brands go, we adore The Row, Paris Texas, Prada Aeyde and Staud to name a few. If you're looking on the high street, check out Zara, Jigsaw, Arket and Massimo Dutti for stylish options that look more expensive than they are. The big question is, with so many pairs out there, which black boots are the best black boots? I've assembled a handful for every style below.

1. The Best Black Knee-High Boots

Style Notes: Knee boots are my go-to for when I'm wearing skirts and dresses; if only I could look half as sleek as Sylvie Mus.

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2. The Best Black Ankle Boots

Style Notes: Whether you opt for heels or flats, nothing beats the combination of black ankle boots and jeans.

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3. The Best Black Heeled Boots

Style Notes: I don't wear high-heeled shoes as much as I used to, but boots? Nothing looks sleeker in my opinion—something Dawn Tan proves with her sleek grey and black ensemble.

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4. The Best Black Flat Boots

Style Notes: Flat, riding-style boots might be a key trend this season, but rest assured they'll never look dated. Prefer ankle-heights? Take a page from Anouk Yve's book—you can't go wrong with Chelsea boots.

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5. Best Black Over-the-Knee Boots

Style Notes: Arguably the sexiest boot out there, over-the-knee boots were all over the runways, and there are plenty of black styles on the market, too. Pair it with a sleek dress like Gia Sinatra for an impeccable combination.

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6. The Best Black Chunky Boots

Style Notes: Chunky boots started trending a few seasons ago but the look is still going strong by way of The Row and H&M. Marianne Smyth paired hers with a relaxed fit coat and straight-cut denim, and I've decided this'll be my go-to outfit formula this autumn.

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This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.