5 French-Style Boots to Wear This Fall and Winter
The boot styles I actually see in France (and how I’d wear them).
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting my blog.
There’s a point every year when I look down at my sandals and think, okay, that's it.
Fall has arrived.
And while I love a good pair of ballet flats, there are only so many cold, rainy days in France when pretending they're still appropriate makes sense.
Eventually, the boots need to come out.
If you’re new here, I grew up in the US and moved to France in 2023, so French style has certainly influenced how I dress.
Here’s an insider tip: If you want to wear boots like a French girl, go with versatile options.
A good pair of boots should go with jeans. A skirt. A dress. That sweater you bought three years ago. Those pants you bought last month.
Basically, if you struggle to imagine how those boots that caught your eye will work with your current wardrobe, they’re probably not the boots for you.
If you're looking for French-inspired boots for fall and winter, these are the styles I'd actually consider.
1. Classic ankle boots
If you're only going to buy one pair, this is probably where I'd start.
A simple ankle boot is incredibly useful because it doesn't commit you to a particular aesthetic.
I particularly like a relatively clean silhouette without buckles, zippers, studs, or other decorative details. (They remind me too much of 2015 fashion, which, in my opinion, hasn’t aged super well.)
Black is the obvious choice, but brown, burgundy, or navy work too.
What I'd wear them with:
straight-leg jeans + sweater
wide-leg trousers + fitted knit
My picks:
2. Kitten-heel boots
This is probably my favorite category for anyone who wants their fall wardrobe to feel a little more feminine without sacrificing the ability to actually walk comfortably.
A kitten heel gives you a bit of height without turning your boots into something you can only wear for dinner without your feet hurting like crazy.
Kitten heels can be ankle-high or knee-high, and both can look great depending on what you wear them with.
If you wear dresses/skirts and pants regularly and want the most versatile option, I’d go with knee-high boots.
Here are a few outfit ideas I really like that you can wear with kitten-heeled boots:
Flared jeans + a cardigan
Midi skirt + cropped sweater
Knit dress + trench coat
My picks:
3. Low-heeled, knee-high boots
Like ankle boots, knee-high boots with a low heel are incredibly versatile.
They’re much more comfortable for everyday wear than high-heeled boots and work well with skirts and dresses (they cover more of your leg when the weather turns cold).
And they can make a very simple outfit look finished.
One of my favorite combinations is:
Midi skirt + sweater + knee-high boots + coat.
That's it.
And if you're someone who doesn't want to give up dresses and skirts just because it's December, a good pair of knee-high boots makes that much easier.
I'd look for a fairly streamlined pair rather than anything overly embellished.
My picks:
4. Tall boots with a block heel
This is the slightly dressier version of the knee-high boot, and I think it's worth having if you wear a lot of skirts and dresses.
The beauty of this style is that you can wear it with something extremely simple.
A black knit dress.
A midi skirt and sweater.
Dark jeans and a coat.
The boots do enough on their own that you don't need to pile on accessories.
And that's one of the things I appreciate about French-inspired dressing: one strong element is enough.
My picks:
5. Low-heeled western boots
Okay, this is where I'm going to depart slightly from the stereotypical French wardrobe.
Western-inspired boots can absolutely work and are actually quite popular in France.
But… be careful.
There's a difference between subtle western influence and looking like you're about to audition for a country music video.
I’d recommend keeping the rest of the outfit pretty toned down and letting the boots make the statement (unless, of course, you like a more western vibe for your entire outfit).
Personally, I love this boot style. It’s original and sleek while staying really walkable.
My picks:
So which boots do you actually need?
This is where French style gets practical.
You don't need seven pairs of boots.
If I were starting from scratch, I'd probably build around two or three.
If you want maximum versatility:
My top choice: A simple ankle boot.
Why: You can wear ankle boots with practically any outfit, from pants to dresses.
If you wear lots of skirts and dresses:
My top choice: A knee-high boot.
Why: It instantly balances dresses and skirts (and if you live in a particularly cold climate, knee-high boots can hide thick socks and tights better than ankle boots).
If you want something a little more feminine:
My top choice: A kitten-heel boot.
Why: They’re perfect for making jeans feel a little more polished while still being walkable.
What I'd look for in a French-style boot
When I'm shopping for boots, I think about whether I'll still like them next year.
After that, my checklist is pretty simple:
A comfortable heel.
If I can't walk around town in them, I'm probably not going to wear them enough.
A relatively clean shape.
The fewer unnecessary details, the easier they are to style. I usually stick to a slightly pointed or rounded toe box.
A color that works with my existing wardrobe.
Black is incredibly versatile, but brown, burgundy, and dark chocolate can be great picks too.
Good quality.
Boots that fall apart after three weeks of wear aren’t worth the money, even if they’re on sale. I pay attention to things like stitching and materials before investing.
Actual weather practicality.
I buy boots that work with the climate. A beautiful high-heeled suede boot isn't much use if I spend half the winter avoiding puddles and slipping on wet cobblestone streets.
How I'd wear boots this fall
If I were getting dressed for a normal day in France, my combinations would be pretty boring, and I mean that in the best way:
Jeans + sweater + ankle boots + coat.
Midi skirt + cardigan + knee-high boots + trench coat.
Knit dress + long coat + tall boots.
Wide-leg pants + fitted knit + low-heeled boots.
Jeans + button-down + cardigan + ankle boots.
Nothing here requires an enormous wardrobe or dressing like a stereotypical French girl.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for French-style boots for fall or winter, I’d recommend starting by looking at what’s already in your closet and building from there.
Ask yourself: What style would fit with what I love wearing on a daily basis? Are the boots I’m considering durable? Comfortable? Appropriate for my climate?
Don't ask yourself which boots look the most French.
Ask yourself: Which pair would I genuinely reach for three times a week?
Because that's probably the pair you'll end up loving the most.
What’s your favorite boot style? Let me know!
Xoxo,
Luba