Cheryl Shops Fall Shopping Guide: Ankle Boots
Now that you have your black or gray stovepipe jeans, they're so tight in the ankles that you can't wear them over boots. (Aha, there was a practical aspect to boot-cut jeans after all!) One solution is to wear them with platform pumps; the other is to tuck them into an extra-cute pair of ankle boots. Voila--the boot lives on!

Madison Avenue
Zac Posen's first foray into footwear produced this dandy-esque ankle boot, which looks like a super-upscale version of something you'd find at Anthropologie (I mean that as a compliment). The slouchy shape is right-on, and there's even a subtle platform, as well as a more practical stacked heel.


This awesome wedge ankle boot from Tashkent has big cutouts on the side, but it's lined in luxe lamb fur (okay, lay off, animal rights activists), so you can go sockless. Well, maybe not sockless, but at least your feet won't totally freeze.


And to appease all the card-carrying PETA members I just pissed off, here's a 100% vegan boot from Stella McCartney. Granted, I think $650 is a bit much for pleather, but I love the ribbed cuff and the round toe and, well, this is probably the most stylish pleather boot in existence.


Soho
Dolce Vita is one of those brands that's suddenly everywhere--and since their shoes are very stylish and not too expensive, I'd say that's a good thing. I love this cuffed boot--it's like a more feminine, sexy cowboy boot.


Anthropologie has all of these quirky boots, many of which look like they came straight from the set of a period costume drama. This cuffed boot looks kind of 1700s (or is it 1800s?), but I think it's pretty darn cool.


This Kors Michael Kors boot is pretty traditional as far as boots go--it's designed by the master of American sportswear--but I think the drawstring detail is just edgy enough.


34th Street
I think this suede wedge boot is quite a good deal. The wedge heel is low enough to be comfortable, and the studs give them a little rock-and-roll edge.


This boot from Urban Outfitters has a faux foldover, but it's real leather and it's affordable, so it'll be our little secret. Plus, you can get one in black and one in gray for the price of one pair of contemporary-priced boots.


At $39, it's a near-miracle this boot is made out of suede and not synthetics. But I'm not going to argue--the wrap details in front are cute, as is the bow in the back.