The Best Knee-High Boots Are Everywhere, From Runways to Street Style
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With the return of early aughts pencil skirts, skinny jeans, cigarette pants, and free-spirited maxi dresses, the knee-high boot has never felt like a better idea. It can go from Princess Diana off-duty to sleek equestrian with one well-appointed tailored blazer. While we’re on the subject of ’90s style icons, the knee-high boot also looks incredibly chic styled with a pencil skirt à la Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. What we’re getting at here is that this style is incredibly versatile—especially once you consider its many iterations.
From leather to suede, kitten heels to flats, and details like hardware and croc-embossing, your boot options are nearly endless. And there’s always a great pair of biker boots to consider—they re-entered the style chat after Miu Miu’s Fall ’22 runway and have remained wonderfully relevant ever since. In the fall 2025 collections, we loved the croc-embossed takes at Patou, the second-skin knee-highs at Miu Miu, and Burberry’s city-friendly take on riding boots.
Vogue s Favorite Knee High Boots
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What other shoe can go from bohemian chic with long dresses to smart and tailored with suiting and casual and cool with a sweater and jeans? As far we’re concerned, the answer is below, with our guide to best knee-high boots.
Leather
It doesn’t get more classic than a pair of knee-high leather boots. Whether you embrace flats for stomping around the city with ease or a heel for an elegant take, these fall in the rare “forever” category.
Suede
Suede is the perfect counterpart for all of your floral dresses and autumnal denim—in any shade of brown or burgundy, it adds warmth and softness, though, you can never go wrong with black.
Stacked Heel
It’s a simple fact, if you want a little height, but you still want to be able to walk miles in your boots, a stacked heel is the only way to go. Beyond comfort, this streamlined style offers all of the ’70s cool icons like Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall embodied.
Kitten Heel
While a kitten heel sling-back pump is often reserved for a certain type of lady, a kitten heel boot appeals to a much more diverse set. Namely: anyone who prefers a more graceful heel on their knee-high boot, and never anything too high.
Croc-Embossed
Sometimes a girl just need a little gloss in her life. Even the staunchest minimalists can’t deny the appeal of embossed leather. Nothing looks more luxe than all-black with a pair of statement croc (faux, of course) boots.
Biker
A little hardware and a stacked heel lend just the right edge to anything you pair them with. These are styled on the streets with everything from miniskirts to Bermuda shorts and cotton poplin midis.
Glove-Like
Miu Miu, Toteme, and Chloé gave us an array of second-skin boots for fall. Think of these as your base layer to pair with midi skirts and dresses!
Riding
As part of a greater yearning for the outdoors, brands from Gucci to Hermès to Ralph Lauren are leaning into their heritage and showcasing what they do best.
