Exploring the Different Styles of Women's Boots and Where Best to Wear Them
From sleek ankle boots to dramatic thigh-high styles, women’s boots come in endless shapes, heights, and designs.
Whether you’re after a practical low-heel option for everyday wear or a bold stiletto boot that commands attention, there’s a perfect style for every outfit and event.
With so many materials, heel types, and silhouettes available, choosing the right boot is all about balancing comfort, occasion, and personal style.
Types of Boots
Platform Boots
Platform boots feature a thick, raised sole under the front of the foot, sometimes combined with a block or chunky heel. This design adds height while reducing the angle of the foot, offering a bold look with more comfort than standard high heels.
Popular in everything from fashion-forward to alternative and performance styles, platform boots are made to stand out
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Heel Heights: Flat, Low, medium, and high
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Features: Elevated sole for added height and balance
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Ideal For: Cosplay, clubbing, streetwear, alternative fashion, and performance
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Comfort Level: Moderate to High– more stable than high heels thanks to the platform base
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Pro Tip: Platform boots can feel awkward at first, but with time and wear, your balance and confidence will improve.
Well-known brands: Demonia, Pleaser, New Rock, and YRU
Thigh High Boots
Thigh high boots extend well above the knee, often reaching the upper thigh. They’re a bold and stylish choice that instantly elevates any outfit, from performance wear to party looks. Available in everything from flat and low-heel designs to towering stilettos or platforms, this style blends confidence with fashion.
- Heel Heights: Flat, low, medium, and high
- Features: Tall shaft reaching mid-thigh or higher
- Ideal For: Performances, alternative fashion, parties, and kinky nights
- Comfort Level: Moderate to high–flat and low-heel versions offer better wearability
- Pro Tip: For better movement and comfort, choose stretchy or slouch-style materials that hug the leg without restricting it
Well-Known Brands: Stuart Weitzman, Pleaser, Sam Edelman, Public Desire, and Elisabet Tang
Over The Knee Boots
Over-the-knee boots extend just above the knee, offering a flattering silhouette that’s both elegant and edgy. Found in a variety of styles—from chunky platforms to sleek stilettos—they strike a balance between drama and everyday wearability. Whether styled for a night out or paired with office attire, they’re a versatile wardrobe staple.
- Heel Heights: Flat, medium, and high
- Features: Shaft height that extends just over the knee
- Ideal For: Gigs, nights out, casual looks, and professional settings
- Comfort Level: Moderate to high – chunkier heels and lower profiles offer better support
- Pro Tip: Style with leggings, mini skirts, or sweater dresses for a balanced and elongating look
Well-Known Brands: Schutz, Steve Madden, EGO, and Charles & Keith
Winklepickers Boots
Winklepicker boots are known for their sharp pointed toes, ankle-high silhouette, and low heels. Originally popular in the 1950s and 60s and inspired by Victorian and Gothic footwear, this unique style brings retro flair to modern fashion. Whether worn for themed events or everyday expression, winklepickers offer a bold and unmistakable look.
- Heel Heights: Low
- Features: Pointed toe, slim fit, ankle-high upper
- Ideal For: Gothic fashion, cosplay, vintage outfits, and costume events
- Comfort Level: Moderate – slim fit may require sizing up for wider feet
- Pro Tip: Pair with tailored trousers or skinny jeans to highlight the sharp silhouette
Well-known brands: Underground England, Beatwear, T.U.K., and Winklepicker.co.uk
Combat Boots
Combat boots are flat-soled, lace-up boots inspired by military footwear. Known for their durability and unisex appeal, they range from classic black leather styles to bold platform or knee-high versions. Whether you're going for a utilitarian look or something more rebellious, combat boots are a versatile choice for everyday wear or alternative fashion.
- Heel Heights: Flat to low Features: Lace-up front, rugged sole, often mid-calf or higher
- Ideal For: Streetwear, grunge outfits, alternative fashion, festivals, and casual looks
- Comfort Level: High – supportive and great for all-day wear
- Pro Tip: Style with ripped jeans or layer under long coats for a strong, street-ready look
Well-known brands: New Rock, Demonia, Dr. Martens, and Grinders
Biker Boots
Biker boots are a tough unisex style in a similar vein to combat boots, but which often include additional details such as adorning chains, strong buckles, panelling, and straps.
Women’s biker boots are a versatile addition to your collection and can be styled in any way you like, from wearing with a flowy summer dress for a unique look to wearing with your tight pants and an oversized jacket for a rockstar look.
Riding Boots
Riding boots never go out of style and are great for adding casual elegance to your day. Characterised as a boot that reaches between the ankle and the knee, and was originally modelled for wear riding horses, the riding boot is a chic piece of fashion that can be worn with a short skirt and oversized coat at the office, with skinny jeans and a tucked in shirt for casual cool running errands, or with a flirty dress at the races!
Oxford Boots
Oxford shoes are a more formal style of shoe that leans towards unisex. This style of boot has maintained popularity over the years and is a great boot to wear for many different occasions.
To style a women’s oxford boot, pants and skirts in neutral colours will be a great pairing at events with a smart casual dress code, as well as a fitted top such as a tailored button-down shirt.
Stiletto Heel Boots
Boots with a high, thin stiletto heel are a great fashion choice to make for weddings, special occasions, and for showcasing your sexy side at casual events.
Wear to work, at a function, or wherever you would like to stand out! Stiletto boots can be worn with fitted pants, under a flowing skirt, to highlight your legs in a mini skirt, or with a fitted dress.
High Heel Boots
High heel boots are fun and easy to wear, and are different from the popular stiletto boot thanks to a thicker heel. High heel boots can come in many forms, such as chunky heel boots, kitten heel boots, platform high heel boots, and more.
The versatility of a high heel boot makes it perfect for your wardrobe as they can be worn with your office style outfit at work, with jeans and your favourite on brand top for your casual events, and with more formal outfits for special occasions.
Ankle Boots
Ankle boots are a popular style for all ages, easily recognisable for their upper which ends at the ankle. Ankle boots can be found in close toe, open toe, caged, and lace-up styles and range from feminine to masculine in their presentation.
Whether you choose a platform or single sole ankle boot style, women’s ankle boots match well with fitted, loose, long, or short clothing options and are great for parties, office work, pole dancing, formal events, cosplay, and many more occasions!
Knee High Boots
Knee high boots are categorised as a style that reaches just below the knee. This includes high heel styles, stiletto boots, wedge heels, platform knee high boots, and more. Knee high boots can be sexy, playful, or serious depending on the boot you choose.
High heel knee high boots can be great in the office paired with a pencil skirt, knee high gogo boots are ideal at a costume party, and sexy platform stiletto heel knee high boots are a great choice for exotic dancing!
Sneaker Boots
Sneaker boots are a fun, flirty style that turns a sneaker into a cool boot for women to enjoy! Available in many colours and displaying the fun lace-up fastening that sneakers are known for; this type of boot is great for wearing with your skinny jeans to take a casual look a little further, and with a short black skirt for a fun nighttime look.
Cowboy Boots
Cowboy boots for women are fun, flirty, and functional! Originally worn when working with horses for protection thanks to their mid-calf reach, small heel, and occasional cool patterns, cowboy boots are a great fashion choice.
Wear with the traditional jeans and white or button-down shirt for some country chic style at casual events, with a short dress for a day with friends, or even under your wedding dress for a country themed wedding to remember!
There are many different types of high heels to choose from, and whether you are just looking for something special to add to your collection or for something specific for a planned event you will always be spoiled for choice.
From demure riding boots that offer a classy style to a sexy stiletto high heel boot to wear at a party, the massive range of high heel boots for women includes something for everyone to enjoy.
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