We run the search numbers before every one of these posts. In September the story was loafers. In October it is boots, and the gap is wide. Chelsea boots drew about 156,000 US searches in the latest month, 44 percent above their yearly average. Knee high boots reached 118,000, double theirs. Combat boots more than doubled too. Loafers are still strong at 149,000, but they are no longer the story.
Here is what each of those numbers means if you wear a 10 or above, and what we have on the shelf for it.
Chelsea boots are up 44 percent
The chelsea is popular for a plain reason. It pulls on, it has no laces or zip to fail, and the low shaft sits under trousers and above a midi hem without a fight. Of the fall boot shapes we track, only cowboy boots drew more searches than its 156,000.
We carry two. The Chelsea bootie from Cee Cee Massey is $99.95 in black or bronze vegan leather, with elastic side panels and a 3 inch heel, and it runs from size 10 all the way to 16. For a leather version on a chunky creeper sole, the Burberry Creeper Leather Chelsea Boot is $237.49 in sizes 10 and 11.
Ankle boots and booties: where extended sizes are easiest
Searches for ankle boots hit 43,000, about 60 percent above their yearly average, and "booties" more than doubled to 36,000. This is also the category where a size 12, 13 or 14 has real choice, because an ankle boot only has to fit your foot.
Three we would start with, all from Vaila Shoes and all in sizes 9 through 14:
- Cadence Booties at $140, in black and beige.
- Diana Booties at $150, the edgier of the three.
- Alma Booties at $160, in black and brown, made for the office rotation.
Our fall ankle boot guide has the fit rules in full.
Knee high boots and the wide calf question
Knee high boots doubled their yearly average, and wide calf boots rose with them to about 30,000 searches, up 68 percent. Those two numbers move together every fall. A tall boot has to fit twice, at the foot and at the calf, and most brands that cut a size 12 stop thinking once the foot fits.
We carry two answers. The Alice Boot from Vaila Shoes is built as a wide calf boot from the start, with a calf circumference of 17 to 19 inches depending on size. It is $200, in brown for sizes 9 through 14 and black for sizes 9 through 13. For a leather knee high, the Jacqui from BOHOBO is $360 in black or cream, sizes 10 through 13.
If you are between the two, measure the widest part of your calf over the jeans you plan to wear with the boot, then check that number against the shaft measurement before you order. It takes two minutes and saves a return.
Size 12 boot searches doubled again
One smaller number is worth a mention. Searches for "size 12 womens boots" went from about 230 in August to 450 in September, and the latest monthly figure is about 760. Last year they peaked in November and December at just over 1,000. Demand is still climbing, so October is the month to buy while the size run is full.
Everything we have in the size is on two pages: size 12 women's boots and size 13 women's boots. Wider feet should start with wide width boots.
What to take from October
Start at the ankle if you want the most choice in your size. Go tall only with a boot that states its calf fit. And buy the 12s and 13s before November.