The Annual Search for the Perfect Ankle Boot
It is fall now, and it means that the annual search for the next ankle boot is ongoing. Why annual? Because no fashion ankle boot has survived a Lithuanian winter yet, and I’ve tried. This year, as in previous years, I thought I had it figured out. I decided to only buy from brands that are above our latitude and truly understand what winter is (sorry, Italy, London, and Berlin). That means I am looking at you, Scandinavia. One of my favorite brands, Flattered (whose shoes have actually held up), didn’t really have much available in what I wanted (a non-black boot), but I remembered that Vagabond is Scandi-based and started perusing their catalog.
And I did find these beautiful Mona boots with a crocodile-skin texture that’s embossed. Texture, brown, and a modern shape? Sign me up. I purchased these boots and felt quite settled, waiting for the colder weather.
Cold weather came, and I started wearing the boots. Let me tell you - it wasn’t the typical snow, salt, and dirt cocktail we usually have. It was early fall: mild, cool weather with barely any rain. Two weeks in, I started noticing the texture disintegrating and the boots looking not even presentable. I was so disappointed. My Scandi friends at Vagabond, this was not what I was expecting.
I reached out to their customer service and was pleasantly surprised when they agreed to exchange the pair for a new one or another style from their catalog. So now I’m choosing and thinking about a good pair that could work for me this season - most likely I’ll go with the Mona in black nappa, but here’s my shortlist:
A selection of Vagabond boots
While perusing their boots section, I also noticed the outlet - with some insanely low prices. I recently threw away all my old ballet flats and similar shoes, as they were worn out, and I’ll need new ones next year. For these prices, I might even purchase the light-colored shoes (usually not practical to buy at high prices, since they get dirty in three seconds - although, for example, these ones from Margaux NY are very tempting). Here are some of my favorites from their outlet.
White-ish shoes from Vagabond outlet
Anyway, back to ankle boots for fall. As you might remember, I did a post on the best ankle boots in 2023 and 2024 - and here are my notes from the 2025 search.
While I am most likely sticking with the Vagabond Mona boots this year, as I was reviewing all my favorite brands, I found a number of other options. I’m not entirely convinced of their durability (even my Ayede shoes were destroyed pretty early in the season last year), but I’m sharing this selection with you - all of them look really great to me:
Top row (left to right): Flattered Sandra boots, Ayede Hester and Luis boots.
Second row: Le Monde Beryll Allegra boot, Loulou de Saison boots, Toteme boots.
Third row: By Far Josiah boot, Gray Matters Cortina boots, Tibi Leo boots.
Even though I’m covered in the high-boot department, the ones below caught my eye during the search as well. The Miista boot on the right especially has this beautiful effortlessness to it, even though styling it is a bit harder than with a regular fitted boot.
Le Monde Beryll boot and Miista Nikolina boot.
Finally, in my dream life, I’d have space for these light-colored shoes from Tibi and the Camper x Issey Miyake collaboration. I feel like this season, this style of boot - where the pants are tucked in - is making a comeback, and I love both of these options. Tibi is great at making things feel both feminine and relaxed, while Camper x Issey Miyake is the epitome of modernity. They’re both available in other colors too, by the way, but I have doubts about their durability in a harsher climate.
Tibi Bux Boot and Camper X Issey Miyake collab boot
I tried the Camper x Issey Miyake boots in London last week, and they’re just as good in person as they look in the pictures. They do run quite small, though - I went up two sizes, and that fit perfectly.
So this is my roundup for this year - as usual, plenty of beautiful options, but not many that are truly durable. I’m placing my bet on Vagabond this year and hoping they’ll last me until next spring!
I’m so impressed that you can wear boots like that all winter, honestly haha — I would be freezing! I’m in Canada, so I’m not sure how our weather compares, but our winters are very snowy and cold. My favorite “cuter” boots are from a Canadian brand called Maguire — I have the Cortina style (the shearling-lined ones). They’ve kept me warm even at -30°C and still look like new after a full winter! Though yes, they do have a thicker sole… I’m afraid that might be part of the reason why!
I still revisit your older post on winter boots. As you know, I did end up buying the Paris Texas ones and I love them. And is it the biking that helps me have my boots for years? Is it because I don't actually walk that much in mine that saves them from the elements? 😳🙈🙌🏻