BEST BOOTS FOR 2022
Footwear trends come and go, but a good pair of winter boots will see you through innumerable cold snaps. Truth be told, we breathe a sigh of relief when it’s time to pack away the strappy sandals and break out the boots – they’re far more versatile, and nobody needs to know what state your pedicure is in. Investing in a decent pair of boots will always pay you back tenfold, but it can be difficult to know what style to opt for with so many options on the market. If you’re poring through the internet trying to find your perfect glass slipper in stylish boot form, fear not -- we’ve compiled a list of our favourite women’s boots for 2022 to help you on the first (extremely comfortable) step of your journey.
ISABEL MARANT BOOTS
Isabel Marant Etoile know how to create classic investment pieces, and these glossy black Oxford-style ankle boots are no different. The Castay boots are your winter boot bestie that will go with everything. Style them with a tapered cigarette pant and crisp white shirt for an effortlessly chic office look, or with black tights and a sparkly dress for a polished but cool evening rigout. The combination of comfort and class make this boot style perfect for an impromptu hand-luggage only city break – did somebody say Christmas markets?
DERST BOOT BEIGE
Investment pieces for winter should be black or brown, right? Not necessarily! Think of the absolute joys of delving into your winter wardrobe on a dark day and brightening an al black outfit with a light neutral! If that image fills your heart with warmth, we have the perfect winter boots for you – Isabel Marant has come through once again with the DERST BOOT in beige, ideal for the woman who likes to put her best foot forward. The boot might be light and airy, but the timeless silhouette is all business. Made from delicious Italian suede with a gentle kitten heel, these boots won’t be your go-to for a snowstorm or a puddle-laden stroll – but they’ll elevate any outfit with a light touch of luxury. Pair them with autumnal shades of browns, reds or camels, for a look that is warm and seasonal, or let the eye be drawn straight to them by going all black. Divine.
Raise your hand if you were a happy victim of the 90s grunge trend -- needless to say, ours are firmly in the air. Nero Giardini’s take on the classic combat boot gives us recovering rockers the opportunity to bring this iconic boot style straight into 2022, while leaving the greasy roots in the past where they belong. The combat has long moved past being styled with army jackets and skater jeans (but if that’s your thing, you do you) – in 2022, this winter boot cries out to be paired with a slip dress for an unexpected twist on a girly aesthetic, or with a straight leg jean and blazer for a professional look with an edge. Make your teenage-self proud and invest in combat boots that you can stomp in for a lifetime -- with these bad boys, “bossy boots” is officially a compliment.
GANNI'S CLEATED HEELED HIGH CHELSEA BOOTS
Exaggerated platform heel? Check. Glossed knee-high calf leather so shiny you can see your face in it? Check. Excruciating levels of cool? Double check. It’s safe to say we’re a bit obsessed with these, and one look at them will tell you why.
Ganni’s cleated heeled high Chelsea boots are the kind of winter boots that can’t be wasted on a pair of jeans – with shoes this good, you simply must brave the chill and get the legs out. It’s a good thing then that this style of boot is bound to attract brave women – the type who aren’t afraid to stand, quite literally, head and shoulders above the rest.
Think noughties girl band frontwoman meets 2022 Berlin DJ – and is there really a better combo than that?
RAINWALKERS BY STUTTERHEIM
What’s that phrase? Boots are for life, not just for Christmas. Serving up the functionality of a welly with the aesthetic of the classic Chelsea boot, it’s hard to look past the Stutterheim Rainwalker when it comes to our notorious Irish climate. For this reason, these aren’t just a winter boot – they’re an all year-rounder. Wear them on a squelchy country walk with jeans and a waxed jacket, throw them on with a smock dress and statement sunglasses for a festival, then breeze into work in them on Monday (just be sure to wipe any sneaky remnants of mud off first). You heard it here first – sensible shoes are no longer synonymous with frump, and rain no longer has to be a dampener. What a time to be alive.
MOBI BY LODI HEELS
Do you want the height and leg-enhancing magic of the classic high heel, with the coverage of a winter boot? Step forward the Lodi Mobi high ankle boot.
The geometric design of the eye-watering 9cm heel is pure 2022, while the thick leather and gold buckle strap is reminiscent of the classic Mary Jane shoe. For maximum impact, pair these with a pleated leather or metallic midi skirt and watch jaws drop.
Worried you might have to suffer to be beautiful in these stylish winter boots? No need, the latest version of the design incorporates an inbuilt gel sole. The shoe fairies really do think of everything.
HOUSTON BOOT IN MILITARY BY ASH FOOTWEAR
A cowboy boot that you can wear to the office. Have we caught your attention? Good. You’ll want to read on, because these boots are something a little bit special. Ash footwear have knocked it out of the park with the Houston Boot in Military -- a shoe that epitomises the phrase “wearable statement”. The silhouette and stitching of these stylish boots incorporate plenty of nods to the Wild West, without looking like a costume. The mixed colour effect on the suede outer layer adds a suggestion of times gone by. You could conceivably convince people you nabbed these at a very exclusive vintage fashion auction – no need to share with the masses that they’re made of brand-new baby soft leather on the inside. A certain crooner once famously sang about his blue suede shoes, but the real ones know it’s all about the ankle-height distressed effect brown/green suede boots. They’re a little bit country, a lot rock and roll.
MAIDEN LATTE BY MARCO MOREO
Is it a boot? Is it a loafer? Well, who’s to say it can’t be both? High fashion lovers will swoon for this innovative take on the winter boot. Marco Moreo have created a flatform loafer – that’s a traditional loafer style silhouette, but at a platform height. Yes, that means you can style these exactly as you would with your traditional loafer – think paper bag pants, a white t-shirt and a blazer for an easy-going day look, or with thick black tights, a banging co-ord and a hairband for a fun but polished wink to Cher Horowitz. This is Marco Moreo after all, so these were never going to be a muted style -- a chunky black lace and silver studding detail add a playful Rockstar edge to your new favourite investment boot of 2022.