What started with the cowboy boot (more on that later) has evolved into a class all of its own – neither ankle norknee-high, the mid-calf boot is the Goldilocks of the shoe world. Whether it’s the viral buckled biker-boot trend at Miu Miu, slouchy styles at Paris Texas and Loewe or wide-leg silhouettes at Amina Muaddi, Givenchy and Jil Sander, these are some of the coolest pairs to be seen in this season.

If you’re not yet ready to abandon bare legs altogether, over-the-knee boots will be your autumn shoe salvation. AW23 is less about the second-skin look and more about oversized slouchiness, as seen on the runways at Stella McCartney, Loewe, Burberry and more. That said, when evenings call for something more streamlined, a thigh-high sock boot from the likes of Gedebe and Jimmy Choo will make an edgy alternative to hosiery.