Winter is slowly starting to settle in here in Bordeaux, with morning temperatures dipping below 10°C/50°F. I’m gradually bringing out my favorite winter coats and warm, cozy knits. And lately, I’ve been obsessed with… boots! But not just any boots—I’m talking about ones that are both comfortable and chic, perfect for pairing with corduroy pants, jeans, a fine-knit maxi dress, or a short or long skirt. So, if you’re searching for the perfect boots this winter, look no further! You’re sure to find something you love in my selection below ;).
This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. I only feature products I truly love and personally select. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Merci!
In case you were wondering (I often get emails from many of you <3 asking for details on what the women in my article photos are wearing), the woman featured in the main photo of this article is wearing a Chanel knit dress and a pair of light beige and black suede high boots :).
1. The Versatile Block-Heel Ankle Boots
Last year, I bought two pairs of Estime ankle boots from Carel Paris. The first was in navy leather with a white toe, quite similar to this black-and-white version. The other was a pair of glossy red patent leather with a small white heart, part of a collaboration with Kelly Rutherford (I think I snagged the last pair ;)!). I’m a huge fan of these shoes—they’re as chic as they are comfortable for everyday wear!
This season, I love this Audrey pair in burgundy and camel patent leather (which I featured in a previous post on chic fall shoes), as well as this suede and mesh version of the Estime boots. They look perfect with straight or wide-leg cropped jeans to show off the beautiful design! Or, if you opt for a pair of low boots with a pointed toe and a bit of an edgy vibe (I’ve had my eye on these Chloé Susanna ankle boots for years!), you can easily style them with a (leather) maxi skirt, as shown in the photo above.
2. Chelsea Boots for a Touch of British Chic
I’ve loved Chelsea boots for years! These quintessentially British shoes were said to have been designed by Queen Victoria’s bootmaker, Mr. J. Sparkes-Hall, back in 1837. I find them to be the perfect alternative to our trusty sneakers, which can sometimes lack a bit of elegance.
For styling, they’re ideally paired with straight or wide-leg jeans or with a long skirt or knit maxi dress and don’t forget to add some higher socks for an extra touch. This season, I’m absolutely in love with these stunning Chelsea boots from Tod’s. And for those seeking the authentic British Chelsea boot, I recommend this Ketsby pair from Church’s.
3. Riding-Style Boots for Rainy Days
Inspired by the iconic Hermès Jumping boots, I’ve loved the knee-high riding boot style for years. They’re both chic and comfortable—perfect for those rainy fall and winter days! You can wear them with straight or wide-leg cropped pants, long skirts, or a knit maxi dress. I also love pairing them with black stirrup leggings, a white shirt, and a long jacket or overcoat.
For me, the two standout pairs this season are these riding-style boots (coming soon—I’ve just signed up for an alert!) and this pair with detachable embellishments, both from Massimo Dutti. Sézane also offers a similar style: the Bridget low boots (which sold out quite quickly, so I recommend setting an alert if you want them!) and Rosaé Paris has the Fabien boots. You’ve got options ;)!
4. Boho-Chic Knee-High Suede Boots
As seen at the recent Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025, especially at Chanel, this season’s trend is all about knee-high suede boots (which I find absolutely stunning!). This year, Sézane offers some beautiful options at fairly reasonable prices: go for the Molly low boots in mahogany or black suede, or the Anaelle model in an over-the-knee version with heels.
5. Snow Boots for Freezing Temperatures
Finally, my favorite winter shoes, which I love wearing (even in the city!) when temperatures drop below freezing, when it’s snowing, or on a ski vacation: Moon Boots! Pair them with black stirrup leggings, knit leggings, or straight-leg jeans tucked into the boots, or with a cozy knit maxi dress. They’re truly the warmest and most comfortable winter shoes that can still look chic, despite their bulky shape—depending on the style you choose. Personally, I adore the LTrack shearling snow boots from Moon Boots, which add a little boho-chic vibe to a winter outfit.
Bonjour! I’m Léonce, the founder of Léonce Chenal, a blog dedicated to French fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. I’m French and launched Léonce Chenal in 2018 while working as a data analyst in London, inspired to share my love of effortless French style. After living in Paris, London, and Amsterdam, I’ve now settled in the beautiful city of Bordeaux. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me baking pâtisseries, exploring hidden museums, or on the hunt for the perfect perfume.
I love the Chanel boots! For some reason i’m just not a fan of flat boots! They look so cute on everyone else, but when I try them on I just feel blah. I love your site and all the fashion and basically everything French related 🙂
Thank you so much Daphne for your comment! I always say the key to fashion is finding what truly suits you and wearing only what makes you feel your absolute best. Merci for your kind feedback about my site, it’s always such a pleasure to hear! <3
Hi Leonce,
Love your site! My daughter and I are heading to Paris – Spain – Portugal – Switzerland in Nov / Dec 2022. We are from Queensland, Australia so are preparing for a fairly extreme temp change. As we will be travelling quite a bit by train and bus we have opted to do carry on only. So we are thinking carefully about our packing list.
In terms of shoes, my daughter has her platform Doc Martens and I have some leather boots but will we need snow boots? We have some thermal socks etc. I really don’t want to take a chance on being uncomfortably cold, but also don’t want to have to carry boots through Portugal (2 weeks) if not essential.
Also, we are planning to go to the Moulin Rouge, so excited about this. Can we get away with jeans / black pants and a nice knit?
Thanks so much, Lee
Bonjour Lee, thank you very much for your comment! In Paris, snow is exceptional in winter, and as temperatures are generally not negative if it snows, it never lasts very long. So I don’t think you will need snow boots for Paris but maybe for Switzerland?
In Nov / Dec in Paris, temperatures are around 8°/4°C so you’ll need a good wool coat to go to the Moulin Rouge 🙂
Great to know that black tights are ‘in fashion’ – due to 12 operations – my legs have a lot of scars – so I can be ‘In Fashion’ and wear dresses and skirts ……Yeahhhhh
In the photo with the Oxford shoes it appears that the girl has on black hose… are hose still in style?
Bonjour Sheri! Merci for your comment! Yes, indeed black tights are in style, French women generally avoid skin-toned tights 🙂 xo
I spent years trying to match the perfect skin-toned tights and my life has become so much easier since adopting the French black tights rule. Though there are many shades and textures of black…….:)