The 35 Best Shoes to Buy for Fall, From Flats to Boots
Anyone who has spent even just a few minutes with me knows that I like to talk. Honestly, I usually talk too much, and of all the topics I find myself going on and on about, footwear is the one I return to most frequently, from up-and-coming brands to classic styles to trends. You name it—I'm interested. With fall on the horizon, it should come as no surprise that I've had the season's best shoes on my brain and the tip of my tongue for weeks. Fortunately, it's finally time to start talking about them.
After hours spent researching trends and scrolling through page after page of footwear options, I gathered enough evidence to say with certainty that the 35 pairs of shoes below are the absolute best on the market for fall. There are boots of all shaft and heel heights, sneakers, flats, and even sandals. (Yes, I'm wearing flip-flops in the fall, and no, you can't convince me otherwise.) There are designer options by the likes of Chloé, Manolo Blahnik, and Prada as well as affordable picks that look just as expensive and enticing. Basically, everything you need to craft the perfect shoe collection for fall 2024 and beyond is just a click away.
If you're ready to build your fall wardrobe from the bottom up, scroll down.
Flats
Boots
Heels
Sandals
Ashley Olsen just proved that flip-flops are just as suitable for fall as they are for summer.
These are very Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
Sneakers
Eliza Huber is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who specializes in trend reporting, brand discovery, and the intersection of sports and fashion. She joined Who What Wear in 2021 from Refinery29, the job she took after graduating with a business degree from the University of Iowa. She's launched two columns, Let's Get a Room and Ways to Wear; profiled Dakota Fanning, Diane Kruger, Katie Holmes, Gracie Abrams, and Sabrina Carpenter; and reported on everything from the relationship between Formula One and fashion to the top runway trends each season. Eliza lives on the Upper West Side and spends her free time researching F1 fashion imagery for her side Instagram accounts @thepinnacleoffashion and @f1paddockfits, watching WNBA games, and scouring The RealReal for discounted Prada.
-
Listen, Being Cool in 2025 Requires Just Two Things: Loose Jeans and This “Weird” Viral Flat-Shoe Trend
They're strange, but so chic.
-
These Easy Outfit Formulas Make Even Fall's Most Polarizing Boot Trend Look Cool
See the inspiration inside.
-
This Is the Luxe Fall Shoe Trend Every Fashion Person Is Already Wearing on Repeat
Count these inspo pics as proof.
-
It's Controversial (I Know), But Frequent Fashion Flyers Swear By This Jeans Outfit for Long Flights
It involves an elegant leather coat and chic luggage.
-
Taylor Swift Just Wore the Skirt-and-Boots Combo That Screams '90s Jennifer Aniston
It's foolproof.
-
A Rich-Looking Closet Is the Vibe—These 30 Amazon Picks Surprisingly Fit the Bill
See the affordable yet chic finds.
-
The Fall Shoe Trend Everyone in Paris Is Wearing With Black Leggings to Runway Shows and Dinners at Chez Janou
Hint: It's not sneakers or ballet flats.
-
I’m a Senior Shopping Editor—Here’s Everything I Highly Recommend Buying From the Mango Sale
Get 30% off just about everything