Shop the Very Best Black Boots to Invest in This Fall

When mulling over an investment purchase, a nagging thought often crosses your mind: Will I actually wear this? If you’re shopping for a pair of excellent black boots for women, the answer is a resounding yes. You can’t go wrong with a great pair of boots in the classic hue. We’re always looking for that one item we’ll wear again and again, something that’s both useful and special, works with everything we already have, and feels appropriate for any occasion—a black boot ticks all of the boxes.

The right pair can be styled with jeans or a dress, for day or night, and is simple and anonymous enough that you’re never worried about repeating; you could wear the same boots every day without thinking twice. Which is all the more reason to invest in a really, really good pair that’s both exciting and durable enough to withstand your daily life. That’s why we’re turning our attention to the luxe, no-nonsense black boot trends from the fall 2021 runways.

We’re imagining knee-high boots in a variety of silhouettes, like sleek tall block-heeled ones from The Row and Saint Laurent, as well as flat, pull-on riding boots from Gucci and Tory Burch to wear under our favorite fall dresses. There’s also Rag and Bone’s Western-inspired ankle boots to go with our vintage jeans. When rain and snow hit, Stella McCartney’s rubber duck boots and Miu Miu’s hefty lugged lace-up boots will easily stand up to the elements—just look to the Miu Miu’s snowy mountainous lookbook backdrop for proof. For something flat and walkable, try chunky-soled, mid-calf height Chelsea boots from 3.1 Phillip Lim or Burberry. There are also wonderfully high but incredibly flat boots from Proenza Schouler and Bottega Veneta that’ll hug your leg well up over the knee. And if you’re looking for something nonleather, try Balmain’s all-over rubber western boots.

Shop these and all of the season’s most investment-worthy designer black boots for women, below.

The Way Over the Knee

Proenza Schouler Boyd leather over-the-knee boots

Bottega Veneta rubber-trimmed leather over-the-knee boots

The Row Billie high boots

Rick Owens Bozo thigh-high boots

The Tall Block Heels

Saint Laurent Cleveland boots in smooth leather

Chloé Edith block-heel leather knee-high boots

The Row patch leather knee boots

The Splash-Proof Shoe

Valentino Garavani Atelier petal-effect PVC ankle boots

JW Anderson chain-embellished glossed-rubber rain boots

Stella McCartney Duck rubber-trimmed vegetarian leather Chelsea boots

Givenchy Show rubber wedge ankle booties

The Power Platform

Loewe black wedge loafer boots

Versace 155mm platform leather ankle boots

Dries Van Noten black chunky heeled boots

The Urban Cowboy Boot

Celine Western high boots

Isabel Marant Dahope leather boots

Balmain black Tess mid-calf boots

Rag & Bone black Rover boots

The Equestrian-Inspired

Gucci knee-high boots with harness

Gabriela Hearst Cheech buckled leather knee boots

Max Mara Blanca leather knee-high boots

The Wintry Lace-Up

Miu Miu chain platform hiker boots

Tod’s timeless platform boots in leather

Alexander McQueen leather and rubber exaggerated-sole ankle boots

The On Point Boot

Khaite the Charleston over-the-knee boots

Michael Kors Collection Dabney leather boots

Thebe Magugu Sunday Best logo-plaque leather ankle boots

Jil Sander Napa pull-on knee riding boots

The Heavy Step Chelsea

3.1 Phillip Lim black lug-sole Kate mid-calf Chelsea boots

Ganni calf leather mid Chelsea boots

Sportmax semi-gloss Chelsea ankle boots

Burberry Hurr flatform tread-sole leather boots