The Complete Autumn/Winter Boots Guide: How to Choose the Right Pair

Every autumn, boots take over the wardrobe. But with so many styles on offer, like ankle boots, knee-high boots, Chelsea boots, platform boots, knowing which one is actually right for you isn't always obvious.


In this article, we'll walk you through the real differences between boot types, how to think about material, and how to match a boot to your shape and the life you actually lead.

4 Types of Boots Worth Knowing

Most autumn/winter wardrobes come down to four categories. Understand what each one is for, and the rest gets easy.

Ankle boots
01

Ankle boots

Sitting at or just above the ankle, this is the safest, most versatile choice you can make. It doesn't interrupt your leg line and pairs with almost anything, trousers, skirts, dresses. If you're only buying one pair and want to wear it constantly, this is where the return on investment is highest.
Knee-high boots
02

Knee-high boots

Rising to the knee or above, this is the boot that does the talking. It elongates the leg, carries presence, and can define an entire outfit on its own. Knee-high boots aren't for blending in, they're for being seen.
Chelsea Boots
03

Chelsea Boots

The classic within the ankle boot category. Elastic side panels, no laces, easy on and off. Chelsea boots move seamlessly between formal and casual, which is exactly why they never go out of style. This silhouette is the core of our own boot collection.
Platform Boots
04

Platform Boots

A thickened sole that adds both height and presence. Our GAO EVA collection uses lightweight EVA foam for its platform soles, solving the usual trade-off where platform boots look bold but feel heavy. That's a problem we've always cared about solving: a thick sole shouldn't mean a heavy step.
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Three ways to find the right one

Explore three simple ways to find the perfect pair for you.

01

 By Body Shape and Proportion 

If you're shorter or want extra height, wear ankle boots under wide trousers for an unbroken leg line, or try a platform ankle boot for lift without the trade-off — with knee-high boots, stop below the knee rather than over it. Longer legs benefit most from knee-high or over-the-knee styles, which pull an outfit's visual weight upward. If you're conscious of calf width, look for a shaft with some give rather than a rigid, structured leg.

02

 By Occasion

Ankle boots - especially black or caramel Chelsea styles. It works best for the daily commute. Weekends call for ankle or below-the-knee boots, with a platform for more attitude. For dates, parties, or gallery openings, knee-high boots do the job on their own.

03

 By Material

Every material we use is chosen with intent, engineered for a clean, uniform finish that keeps our silhouettes precise, resistant to moisture and light abrasion, and well suited to humid climates like Hong Kong / Taiwan etc. For us, material is a design decision, not a compromise.

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both Paris Picks: Autumn/Winter Essentials

These are real, in-stock styles at both.com, shipping worldwide, spanning all four categories.

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FAQ

What's the first boot I should buy for autumn/winter?

If you're only buying one pair, we'd start with an ankle boot - a black or caramel Chelsea boot in particular. It's the most versatile option, pairing with nearly everything in a typical wardrobe, and works across every season. Knee-high and platform boots are better as a second or third pair, once you're ready to expand your range.

If you're only buying one pair, we'd start with an ankle boot - a black or caramel Chelsea boot in particular. It's the most versatile option, pairing with nearly everything in a typical wardrobe, and works across every season. Knee-high and platform boots are better as a second or third pair, once you're ready to expand your range.

What are the main types of boots, and how do they differ?

Autumn/winter boots generally fall into four categories: ankle boots (everyday versatility), knee-high boots (statement presence), Chelsea boots (a classic ankle boot silhouette that works in both formal and casual settings), and platform boots (added height and visual weight). Ankle boots solve for versatility, knee-high boots solve for presence, and platform boots solve for height without sacrificing comfort - choose based on your shape, your wardrobe, and where you're going.

Autumn/winter boots generally fall into four categories: ankle boots (everyday versatility), knee-high boots (statement presence), Chelsea boots (a classic ankle boot silhouette that works in both formal and casual settings), and platform boots (added height and visual weight). Ankle boots solve for versatility, knee-high boots solve for presence, and platform boots solve for height without sacrificing comfort - choose based on your shape, your wardrobe, and where you're going.

What kind of brand is both Paris, and what makes the boots distinctive?

both Paris is a contemporary luxury footwear brand designed in Paris, built around a single core idea: Rubber as Culture. Our boots reinterpret classic silhouettes through modern material engineering — our GAO EVA collection, for instance, uses lightweight EVA foam to build a platform sole with real presence but almost none of the usual weight. Most of our styles are unisex, with full size ranges for all wearers.

both Paris is a contemporary luxury footwear brand designed in Paris, built around a single core idea: Rubber as Culture. Our boots reinterpret classic silhouettes through modern material engineering — our GAO EVA collection, for instance, uses lightweight EVA foam to build a platform sole with real presence but almost none of the usual weight. Most of our styles are unisex, with full size ranges for all wearers.

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