Long cemented as a failsafe footwear choice, it’s no surprise to see new styles and beloved designs alike filling the shelves of our favourite stores. But our love affair with the look started decades ago. Beginning in 1968 with Barbarella’s space-bound boots, the silhouette has had its fair share of cinematic moments, from Julia Roberts’ iconic Pretty Woman ensemble to Anne Hathaway’s legendary “Chanel boots” speech in The Devil Wears Prada. And when it comes to music, everyone from Madonna to Ariana Grande has made knee-high boots part of their aesthetic. Need we say more?
Taking them into 2023, it’s all about everyday classic cuts and wearable options, with low-heeled, black suede and wide-calf styles topping our wish lists. Gone are the days of sky-high heels as we welcome the cool yet comfortable aesthetic with open arms. Keep reading to see our 18 favourite finds from the high street to high end.
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The best black knee-high boots
Black boots don’t need to be basic but they are a wardrobe staple that can be counted on “wherever, whenever”, as Shakira would say.
H&M Boots, £49.99
A modern, city-ready take on the riding boot style.
H&M Boots, $, available at H&M
Office Kaley Round Toe Block Heel Boots Black Suede, £135 £85
Soft, slouchy boots are the perfect complement to your denim midi skirt obsession.
Office Kaley Round Toe Block Heel Boots Black Suede, $, available at Office
Paris Texas Croc-Embossed Leather Boots, £565
Paris Texas does the best Y2K-style stiletto boots.
Paris Texas Croc-Embossed Leather Boots, $, available at Farfetch
The best suede knee-high boots
Admittedly not the most practical, suede knee-high boots are certainly chic and these three options are sure to work for any occasion. Just maybe don’t wear them when it’s pouring with rain.
Office Kiki Ruch Leg Knee Boots, £110 £40
Ruched boots give the best of both worlds, combining classic knee-highs with a sexier, slouchy style.
Office Kiki Ruch Leg Knee Boots Grey Suede, $, available at Office
River Island Black Suede Knee-High Heeled Boots, £120
Abstract heels are one of this season’s hottest trends and this pair nails it.
River Island Black Suede Knee-High Heeled Boots, $, available at River Island
Isabel Marant Denvee Suede Knee-High Boots, £650
Crossing into cowboy territory, these are suave, sophisticated and stand out in style.
Isabel Marant Denvee Suede Knee-High Boots, $, available at mytheresa
Jigsaw Oslo Croc Knee High Boot, $, available at Jigsaw
Warehouse Real Leather Knee High Wooden Heeled Boot, $, available at Warehouse
By Far Stevie Boots, $, available at 24S
Mango High Heel Leather Boot, $, available at Mango
Isabel Marant Lyner 85mm Knee-High Boots, $, available at Farfetch
The best wide-calf knee-high boots
Fed up with feeling like your boots are bursting at the seams? Us too. Wide-calf knee-high boots are here to satisfy larger calf sizes. Whether cut for a wider fit or crafted from a stretchier fabric, comfort is at their core.
ASOS Design Wide Fit Cancun Knee-High Boots in Zebra, £48
Walk on the wild side with this zebra print pair.
ASOS DESIGN Wide Fit Cancun Knee-High Boots in Zebra, $, available at ASOS
Simply Be Miles Leather Knee Boots Wide Fit Standard Calf, £89 £45
The perfect everyday boot doesn’t exi… Ah, looks like we’ve been proven wrong.
Simply Be Miles Leather Square Toe Knee Boots Ex Wide Fit, $, available at Simply Be
Simply Be Mao Leather Square Toe Heeled Knee Boots Wide Fit, £89 £53.40
Mock-croc textures aren’t going anywhere for 2023.
Simply Be Mao Leather Square Toe Heeled Knee Boots Wide Fit, $, available at Simply Be
Vagabond Brooke Heeled Knee High Boots, $, available at ASOS
Pull & Bear Knee High Heeled Boots, $, available at Pull & Bear
Monki Knee-High Boots, $, available at Monki
Urban Outfitters UO Vix Leather Knee High Boots, $, available at Urban Outfitters
Jeffrey Campbell Dauphin Boot, $, available at Revolve
The best white knee-high boots
Giving us Swinging Sixties vibes, white knee-high boots are back to take the top spot. You’ll have to work to keep them clean — best to avoid muddy paths — but they instantly elevate any outfit, making them one of the most fashion-forward, failsafe finds.
Stradivarius Heeled Boots, £59.99
A classic go-go boot style is sure to see you through any season.
Stradivarius Heeled Boots, $, available at Stradivarius
Charles & Keith Block Heel Knee-High Boots, £109
Contrasting the white stretch-style upper with a chunky black sole, these boots are anything but basic.
Charles & Keith Block Heel Knee-High Boots – Chalk, $, available at Charles & Keith
ALOHAS Katiuska – White Leather Boots, £235 £165
Lug sole boots haven’t lost their popularity.
ALOHAS Katiuska – White Leather Boots, $, available at alohas
Kurt Geiger Shy High, $, available at Kurt Geiger
Ganni Chunky Leather Knee-High Boots, $, available at Matches Fashion
H&M Knee-High Leather Boots, $, available at H&M
Russell & Bromley Knee-High Chelsea, $, available at Russell & Bromley
Arket Chunky Over-the-Knee Boots, $, available at Arket
The best low-heel knee-high boots
Chic yet comfortable, low-heeled knee-high boots hit the sweet spot. As Nancy Sinatra said, these boots were made for walking.
Monki Patent Knee High Boot in Teal, £60 £48
A solid chunky heel will keep you comfortable all day, no matter how many cobbled streets you encounter.
Monki Patent Knee High Boot in Teal, $, available at ASOS
Vagabond Blanca Tall Boots, £180
Sensible heels that take you from your desk to the dance floor with ease.
Vagabond Blanca Tall Boots, $, available at Vagabond
LK Bennett Eden Black Leather Western Style Knee-High Boots, £459 £229
When in doubt, a kitten heel is your comfort-first best friend.
LK Bennett Eden Black Leather Knee-High Boots, $, available at LK Bennett
Zara Animal Print Over The Knee Boots, $, available at Zara
Isabel Marant Laylis Zebra-Print Calf-Hair Knee-High Boots, $, available at Matches Fashion
ALOHAS East Croco Forest, $, available at alohas
Whistles Conna Snake Print Knee High Boot, $, available at ASOS
GUESS Elandra Croc Print High Boot, $, available at GUESS
The best knee-high cowboy boots
If you’re already a convert to the cowboy way of life, we don’t need to spend time selling you this style. From striking black and white to classic brown, it’s time to take a leaf out of the Toy Story style book.
Stradivarius Heeled Cowboy Boots, £69.99
The cream colourway offers an elevated version of the everyday silhouette.
Stradivarius Heeled Cowboy Boots, $, available at Stradivarius
Mango Cowboy Leather Boots, £99.99
This classic brown boot is working its way up our 2023 wish list.
Mango Cowboy Leather Boots, $, available at Mango
& Other Stories Western Cowboy Boots, £225
These black and white wonders will work year-round.
& Other Stories Western Cowboy Boots, $, available at & Other Stories
Khaite Davis Leather Knee Boots, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Arket Slouchy Leather Boots, $, available at Arket
Mint Velvet Blake Black Leather Boots, $, available at Mint Velvet
Steve Madden Dakota Brown, $, available at Steve Madden
River Island Beige Ri Studio Snake Leather Boots, $, available at River Island
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