Fashion People Are Officially Retiring This Ankle-Boot Trend

Ankle-boot season (or fall—tomayto, tomahto) is upon us, and before you go blindly scrolling forth through the thousands of new ankle-boot arrivals, you might as well get a little expert advice. For that, we consulted Katie Smith, the retail analysis and insights director at Edited, a fashion and retail technology company that's our go-to source for the latest market trends. This time around, we asked Smith to fill us in on the ankle-boot trend that people have stopped buying in 2021, and her answer was clear: faux-fur boots.

Despite appearing on the runways of Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, and Michael Kors, sellouts of faux-fur styles are down by 40%, while new arrivals are up by 90% with leopard-print boots leading the charge. Smith also filled us in on a few styles that are trending for fall. Read on to shop the trends and find out why they'll be everywhere this season.

"Inspired by luxury styles from Miu Miu, Nicholas Kirkwood, and Prozena Schouler, there has been a 24% increase in new arrivals this fall. Sellouts are up 180% too, with pearl heels being the most popular." — Katie Smith

"This trend was a big hit last fall, and retailers have eased off considerably this year, assuming it was over. New arrivals have shrunk 31% so far this season. However, consumers aren't over the trend! They want more of that Gucci-ornate-look footwear. Sellouts have climbed 167%." — Katie Smith

"This trend first hit last November, and this month, retailers have come back stronger than ever before, with a 383% increase in new styles so far this fall compared to last, and sellouts are up 343%. Pedro Garcia white booties have been the best seller so far." — Katie Smith

"Victorian-inspired lace-up heeled ankle boots were on the fall runways at Chloé, Temperley London, Versace, and Haider Ackermann. Only 14 styles have arrived online nationwide since July 1, so it's a potential trend that's currently flying under the radar!" — Katie Smith

Next up: seven fall trends our editors will be wearing next month.