After months spent cycling through flip flops, sandals and Birkenstocks, there’s nothing better than returning to more polished footwear silhouettes come September: loafers, leather ballet flats, Mary Janes and, of course, no autumn wardrobe is complete without boots.
’s pick of the best ’70s boots
The trending silhouettes ebb and flow – in recent years, we’ve had everything from biker to riding and western – but this year it’s all about ’70s-coded silhouettes. Chloé, naturally, is the prime example, where Chemena Kamali paired over half the looks with boots borrowed from the decade. At Chanel, they came suede and over-the-knee, while Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Balenciaga went slouchy and Isabel Marant turned to zebra and snake print.
They might sound varied, but there’s one common thread: each could have been plucked from the wardrobe of a young Jane Birkin or Stevie Nicks. The modern blueprint, though, is Sienna Miller – from the unstructured suede pair she made her uniform in the Noughties to the knee-highs she wore to Barbour’s London Fashion Week show just this month.
The beauty of a ’70s boot is how easy it is to style. Let one peek out beneath some wide-leg jeans or a lace-trimmed midi-skirt and you’ll perfect that effortless, undone thing Miller does so well. For a moodier feel, look to Maisie Williams, who paired pointed lace-ups with gothic separates for the press tour.
Ahead, you’ll find everything you need to know about this autumn’s boot revival, style by style.
Soft and gently gathered, slouchy boots have a cosy, lived-in feel that’s right for autumn – especially in suede. Wear them with separates in the same spirit: worn-in denim, knitted dresses, a faded T-shirt or a slubby jumper. This season’s version, as seen at Balenciaga, feels more structured than its Noughties predecessor.
If you invest in one pair of boots this season, make it these. A sleek knee-high has the kind of understated sophistication Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy perfected: she paired hers with slip skirts and overcoats, but they work just as well with anything from wide leg jeans to a mini – and the latter will feel more Birkin than Bessette. That versatility is exactly why they’ll become your most worn pair.
Suede Kitten Heel Knee-High Boots
For the darker side of boho, look to Maisie Williams’ press tour looks – where lace-up boots have made more than one appearance. The spirit is ’70s Stevie Nicks – shawls, chiffon and a hint of the mystical – but with a sharper, gothic edge. Lean in with long inky hemlines, lace or velvet, and don’t hold back on the layered jewellery.
Few designers do ’70s boho better than Isabel Marant, who showed boots in both zebra and snake print for autumn/winter 2026. If you’re choosing one, go for snake: it’s an elevated touch that brings a touch of disco-era glamour. Keep the rest of your outfit pared back – think neutral knits, dark denim or a simple black midi – and let the print take centre stage.
For maximum drama, go over the knee. The catwalks offered two very different takes: at Matthieu Blazy’s Chanel, supple suede climbed up the thigh with polished elegance, while at Chloé they came folded over, shearling on show, with jeans tucked inside – a look better suited to a country-house weekend than a dinner reservation at Claridge’s. Whichever camp you’re in, proportion is important: let a midi-skirt fall over the top for a long, unbroken line, or pair a miniskirt with an oversized jumper and let the boots stand in for tights.
