20 Pairs of Neutral Ankle Boots for Fall

August more or less flew by, but that’s OK because truly great things happen when the weather starts to cool down. Pumpkin spice lattes reappear (we’re basic, sue us), mosquitoes return to the infernal abyss from whence they came. And we can finally ditch our worn-down summer sandals for some cute neutral ankle boots without fear of sweat puddling between our toes. Hooray. Why neutral? Well, if you’re spending a good chunk of your precious fall budget on a pair of boots, chances are you want those girls to go with damn near everything. You want to wear ‘em down to the nubs. Plus, these days, limiting yourself to so-called “neutral” shades (that includes black, white, gray, brown, beige and sometimes even animal print, according to some fashion insiders) doesn’t put the kibosh on your self-expression. Between all the different heel types, toe shapes, sole thicknesses and materials out there, the possibilities are still pretty endless. Why ankle boots? Because they hit right around that sweet spot where most jeans are hemmed, meaning your denim (another fall nonnegotiable) won’t bunch up uncomfortably if tucked and you’ve got the option of showing off your pulled-high (statement) socks by cuffing your pants a reasonable number of times — no pesky loss of blood circulation here — if the mood strikes. From some extremely chunky platforms to Western booties, find your perfect pair of wear-with-everything ankle boots by shopping the slideshow above. Pump them up with daring plaids, neons, animal prints, florals or even just (drumroll) head-to-toe neutrals.

Neutral Ankle Boots 2020 Update

By Far

Sofia Leather Ankle Boots, $493 at mytheresa.com
Issey Miyake

Bounce Ankle Boots, $412 at Farfetch
& Other Stories

Leather Square Toe Heeled Boots in Beige, $179 at & Other Stories
MM6 Maison Margiela

Off-White Ankle Boots, $585 at SSENSE
ASOS

Design Rhona Platform Boots in Tan, $56 at ASOS
Mango

Heel Leather Ankle Boot, $99.99 at Mango
Zara

Pointed Leather Heeled Ankle Boots, $89.90 at Zara
3.1 Phillip Lim

Taupe Alexa Ankle Boots, $525 at SSENSE
A.W.A.K.E. Mode

New Priscilla PU Ankle Boots, $565 at Net-a-Porter
COS

Square Toe Leather Ankle Boots, $250 at COS
Staud

Eva Boots, $395 at Shopbop
Violeta by Mango

Heel Leather Ankle Boot, $149.99 at Mango
Common Projects

Chelsea Suede Ankle Boots, $525 at mytheresa.com
Clergerie

Carly Ankle Boots, $695 at Farfetch
Crockett & Jones

Olivia Almond-Toe Lace-Up Leather Ankle Boots, $700 at Matches Fashion
Zara

Leather Heeled Cowboy Ankle Boots, $119 at Zara
H&M

Ankle Boots in Beige, $49.99 at H&M
MANU Atelier

Chae Ankle Boots, $575 at Shopbop
Rag & Bone

Beha Moto Stretch Booties, $262.50 at Shopbop
By Far

Lange Leather Ankle Boots in Beige, $550 at Net-a-Porter