The Best Brown Ankle Boots for Winter 2024, According to a Fashion Editor

published 16 October 2024

Black ankle boots for autumn? Groundbreaking. Don’t get me wrong, my collection of this reliable wardrobe staple has outnumbered other styles, but this season, another hue has been populating my Instagram Explore page. Spotted on the autumn/winter 2024 runways at Gucci, Miu Miu and Loewe in various silhouettes from sleek ankle styles to chunkier moto-inspired designs, brown is officially the go-to winter shade, and I can see why.

Brown feels like a chic antidote to sometimes harsh black, which can add harshness to some outfits. Also, there isn’t just one shade of brown to play with. Whether it’s a deep chocolate hue or a lighter tan, brown delivers that soft quiet luxury to the layers that will only get heavier as we head into the cooler months.

Let’s talk versatility. Do brown ankle boots compliment autumn's palette of warm neutrals, rust tones and deep greens? Yes, they do. I'm currently in a love affair with burgundy—aka one the biggest trending colours for autumn—and I can already see myself on a spicy chai latte date wearing a long, maroon wool coat, navy-wash barrel-leg jeans and a pair of brown suede ankle boots.

After further scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest, I noticed that brown boots lend themselves particularly well to a mix of textures. Along with suede, think buttery-soft leather, edgy patent and even croc-embossed finishes. Whether paired with tailored trousers or denim, brown ankle boots are a key feature this season, working perfectly with both casual and more elevated looks.

Already adopted by some of our favourite fashion influencers, including Mimi Nguyen, Coco Bassey and Grece Ghanem, take this as your cue to find your perfect pair of brown ankle boots. Scroll on to shop the best pairs on the market right now.

How to Wear Brown Ankle Boots This Winter

Mimi wear heeled suede ankle boots with double denim

Style Notes: If you're picking up a pair of brown suede ankle boots this season, try them with double denim like Mimi (pictured above). Easy and stylish, we love it.

Style Notes: Combining different shades of brown and a variety of rich textures, Grece has taken her chunky boots to another level. Keep the blend of hues in the same colour family for a quiet-luxury vibe.

Georgia wears brown ankle boots with an all black look

Style Notes: Think pairing black with brown is against the rules? Think again. Georgia's brown patent ankle boots pop against her all-black ensemble—a great way to add a point of difference to a classic look.

Coco matches leather brown ankle boots to a Hermes Kelly bag

Style Notes: From the boots to the dreamy Hermès Kelly bag, follow Coco's lead and stick to similar shades of brown to add interest and polish. Extra style points if you offset these rich chocolate hues against denim.

Emilie wears brown suede Gucci horsebit ankle boots

Style Notes: When Gucci re-imagined its signature Sylke loafers as ankle boots, we knew they would be an instant hit. Take inspiration from Emilie and style them with a midi skirt and socks for a preppy take.