The Timeless Boot Style People With Chic Taste Quietly Favour Over Round-Toe Pairs

The weather in London has been, well, let’s just say varied, lately. In a single day, the skies have swung from 20+ degrees and sunshine to a hazardous downpour within seconds. There’s no denying that autumn is here and the days of strappy sandals and flimsy flats are well and truly behind us. Because of this, I’ve found myself looking more closely at boots again, namely my collection of bikers. Yet, as I scroll through my feed, there’s only one style the chicest people seem to be favouring a pair I don’t yet own: square-toe boots.

Like most things in fashion, the square-toe boot is something we’ve seen before. A core ’90s shoe trend that you’ll find on archival shots of everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Cindy Crawford, I also vividly remember my mum wearing a black leather pair slightly later in the ’00s too. Still, the squared-off boot has stood the test of time and is just as relevant today as they ever have been.

Arguably more refined than their rounded-toe counterparts which can look a little dated if not executed just so, yet far more practical than the pointed styles that are prone to stubbing, especially if you’re wearing them on your commute or when you’re clocking in a high weekend step count, the best square-toe boots offer a versatility that makes them a smart yet stylish choice for the season ahead. They elevate a simple trouser-and-tee combo with the same ease as a maxi skirt paired with a loose knit—both of which are outfits I live in when the seasons begin to shift.

Now, it seems everyone is ready to talk (and wear and buy) boots again. In the last 24 hours alone, searches for women’s boots have risen sharply by 100%. This is only made more noteworthy by the fact the market has had a sudden influx of boots in new-in sections, too. And if there’s one thing I know, it’s that the best boots always sell out early in the season.