From UGGs to Cowboy Boots, These Are the Boots Worth Building Outfits Around

When temperatures drop, boots become the foundation of every great outfit. And the secret to great fall and winter dressing? Let your boots set the tone, then build the outfit around them. Whether you're going Western, rain, knee-high, or platform, the right pair will make every cold-weather look feel effortlessly stylish.If you need some inspiration to start building those looks, I’ve got you covered. Here are a few of my favorite boots to lean into during the fall and winter months.Ugg BootsMoritz Scholz//Getty ImagesUGG boots are the ultimate cozy-girl essential. Style mini UGGs with leggings, slouchy socks, an oversized sweatshirt, and a puffer jacket for an off-duty model look à la Bella Hadid. You can also pair platform UGGs with relaxed straight-leg jeans, a fitted knit, and a longline wool coat.Moto BootsEdward Berthelot//Getty ImagesMoto boots are a very popular style when you don’t want something as sleek as a pointed-toe knee-high boot, but still want to feel a little feminine. They pair well with mini skirts and are the perfect time to get adventurous with color blocking and prints.Ankle BootiesEdward Berthelot//Getty ImagesA good bootie will have you feeling like you can take on the world. They’re the ideal boot for the in-between fall and winter outfit moments, especially if you’re not feeling like having your legs completely covered. They pair perfectly with a good pair of jorts like the one above, creating perfect proportions.Cowboy BootsMoritz Scholz//Getty ImagesWestern and Cowboy boots are the ultimate transitional staple. I personally love to wear them with a good pair of denim, like the image above. You can also style a classic brown or black pair with a mini skirt, oversized knit sweater, and sheer tights for an effortlessly cool fall look.Wellie BootsJeremy Moeller//Getty ImagesThere’s something so chic yet everyday about Hunter boots. Whether you actually need them for practical rain and snow use, or if just for the fashion moment, they go great with all your fall looks.Slouchy BootsJeremy Moeller//Getty ImagesA slouchy boot adds drama to any look you are wearing. Whether ankle-length or more knee-high, they go great with skirts, tucked-in jeans, and even jorts depending on the moment. They’re a fun addition to your boot collection and I suggest everyone get a pair.Aiyana Ishmael is the style editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. In her work, Aiyana focuses on the culture of fashion and how it intertwines and shapes the zeitgeist. She is an award-winning journalist from Miami, Florida, and a graduate of the historically Black university, Florida A&M. She is a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30: Media honoree, and her debut romance novella PASSING GAME is set to release March of 2027 (831 Stories/Simon & Schuster).