This Hotly Debated Boot Trend Is Back and Only Getting Bigger

A distinctive trait of 2019 was the return of, well, a lot of things. Nostalgia was a reoccurring theme when it came to fashion trends. Hair barrettes, cute ankle socks, boxy shoulders, and even super low-slung jeans circa the early aughts. If it was a throwback fashion trend, it probably came back in 2019. Obviously, some of these trends were welcomed with open arms. Who wouldn't want to slip into a tie-dye T-shirt for their summer vacation or top off an outfit with a cool bucket hat? Other nostalgic trends were less palatable and more appealing to certain crowds, though: Think Bermuda shorts, flip-flops, and wedge boots. You heard right: wedge boots.

The latter was spotted in Hedi Slimane's Celine collection, which, depending on who you talk to, nods to the beginning of something big. The footwear trend has slowly trickled into street style and other designers are putting their own spin on the boot trend. Ahead, discover a few inspiring looks featuring wedge boots and shop our favorite picks at the moment. If the trend appeals, consider investing before it blows up in 2020.

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(Image credit: @trustmebuythis)

Give your style the downtown New York treatment and wear your wedge boots with a leather shirt, white tee, and lived-in denim. You really can't go wrong with such a combination.

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(Image credit: Melodie Jeng/Getty Images)

While the wedge-boot trend continues on a steady incline, it will be interesting to observe which iterations and silhouettes emerge. Yasmin Sewell's architectural wedge boots above are an example of how the trend can go several different directions.

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(Image credit: Mairo Cinquetti/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Come winter, accessorizing a dress or skirt with open-toe sandals simply isn't realistic. Instead, consider a pair of wedge boots for an effect that's equal parts sensible and stylish.

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(Image credit: Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Images)

If you're the kind of person who loves a uniform then the above formula ought to pique your interest. A plaid blazer layered on top of a ruffled-neck shirt, blue jeans, and wedge boots = chic.

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(Image credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

We're pretty sure this is what shows up in the dictionary when you search "chic winter white outfit." Add wedge boots into the mix and you've got an A+ ensemble on your hands.

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(Image credit: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

Winter tends to bring out bad wardrobe habits. Cold weather = puffer, sweater, jeans, repeat. Break this cycle by adding a dress into the rotation. You can easily layer some thin heat tech layers underneath and polish off the look with wedge boots, like the inspired look above. 

Shop more wedge boots:

Now, see 25 affordable fall boots under $200 for your shopping pleasure.

Nicole Kliest
Freelance Contributor

Nicole Kliest is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City who focuses on fashion, travel, food, wine, and pretty much anything else that's amusing to write about. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's in journalism and creative writing, she started her career back in 2010 as Who What Wear's photo editor and throughout the last decade has contributed to publications including Fashionista, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The Zoe Report, PopSugar, Fodor's Travel, and several others. She also copywrites and has worked with clients such as Frame, Sea, 3x1, Intelligentsia, and others to develop brand voices through storytelling and creative marketing. She's very passionate about the ways we can improve our sustainability efforts in the fashion industry as well as cultivating content that's diverse and inclusive of all people. When she's not checking out the latest restaurant opening in her West Village neighborhood or riding her bicycle along the West Side Highway, she can be found scheming her next trip somewhere around the world. (Up next is Vienna.)