Good things come in small packages, as evidenced by the corral of short boots ready to stampede the market for another fall season.
With the uprising of spring boots—a category of its own that is biting into fall sales—and new bottoms (e.g. rolled boyfriend jeans, baggy chinos, Levi’s 501 CT jeans) calling for ankle grazing footwear silhouettes, expect to see short boots from the category’s major players like Frye and Fiorentini + Baker to utilitarian brands like Hunter for Fall ’15.
Shorties might stand in the shadow of its long-legged sisters, the riding boot and the over-the-knee boot, both of which are coming on strong for Fall ’16, but the cropped styles are packed with character this fall with braided leather wraps, twisted cords, whip-stitch trim and rugged lacing. Boot shafts made with slouchy woven leather, or crochet panels deliver a wistful, bohemian feel. For a look that is a little less country and a little more rock ’n’ roll, look for flat nail heads to bedazzle uppers, as well as shimmery burnished leathers and zipper details.
While some styles incorporate hidden wedges to add height, the edgier styles tack on chunky block heels, a weighty must-have to help balance the looser and wider apparel shapes falling into fashion.