Creeper boots are quickly replacing the regular ankle boot in the ‘awesome’ category.  These two boots from Underground UK are amazing, heavy and fairly affordable.  The Bowie and X Issue collab are my absolute must haves for the fall.  A warning, though – the navigation on the Underground UK shopping site sucks major cajones.

Walter Steiger is the king of the curved heel, and his Oscar ankle boots are some kind of divine.  They’re extreme renditions of the Chelsea with their elastic insert, and Topshop has created a little inspired by piece called the Pisa Banana.

It’s got the curved heel just like the Steig, the elastic, black suede outer and platform base.. it’s a pretty decent knockoff.

I often peruse Solestruck for gems, there are times when I come across a shoe that tickles my brains.  These Minimarket Frigg flatforms have had me squinting sideways – invisible flatform monk shoes with a rabbit fur panel on top?!

Minimarket has left me wondering if this is a shoe only a fashion blogger could love; I think it’s one of those so-ugly-it’s-fascinating-so-I’ll-buy-it type of scenarios.  For a few people, anyways.

Pony hair footwear is perfect for those fans of all-black-everything; hair provides a little texture to your look and is appearing on all sorts of styles.  If you want to get a little hairier in formal wear, check out Walter Steiger’s oxford ankle boot, or Opening Ceremony’s Stefania 1 for a little more funk (which also happen to be on sale!).  For the flat fan, basic hair loafers from Sam Edelman and Aldo.

For the casual bootie fan, Steve Madden’s Damiann, LD Tuttle’s lace up, Opening Ceremony’s clog boots and Sigerson Morrison’s heeled booties are excellent for everyday wear.  While these are all solid styles, demiCouture’s favorites are clear; the affordable street standout is AllSaints’ Damisi update and Mr Hare’s hairy Chelsea boot is my official if only selection.

Cap toe boots and shoes are the newest addition to the hot footwear community.  Caps are mostly showing up on boots, though there are some ballets and the other flats, like the Louboutin Rollergirl loafers.  Two of the shiniest boots out right now are Etro’s sky high and Shakuhachi’s flat combat.

Keep your eyes peeled for more, and watch how your cap toe is created (if you’re getting a cheap plastic or imitation metal dip, that will rub off and destroy the look of your shoes!)

I’ve been wearing duck boots since I was a toddler at my grandpa’s insistance, and they’ve especially grown on me in the last year.  I acquired the Lands End pair 10 months ago, and have been using them instead of wellies with great success.  The best part is since the sole and a good amount of the lower boot shaping is rubber, the boots are not only waterproof but are much more cost effective.

While the short Asos Aspen pairs [red, green] are shorter and use fabrics, they’re cheekier though ultimatley not waterproof.  The taller lace-up pair is not listed as officially waterproof either, though the Bass Hadwin and Sporto Dylan pairs are both confirmed to be puddle ready.

The parade of trending flats is always increasing, with the newest member of the crew being the monk shoe.  A monk shoe is a typical flat that features a foldover buckle, though base style differs; we see creeper style soles, typical brogue and platform – the possibilities are lengthly.

Oxblood and similar shades are especially hot this season; Dr Martens’ new Lorne and Asos’ platform Mystery are just the ticket.  For the more eccentric pattern lovers, Asos’ textile monk and Underground’s Hacinenda are two options that happen to be quite affordable.  My personal favorite is Candela’s contrast color cap toe; these are beautiful statement shoes if you’re typically a darker shade fan.

When it comes to basic black, styles from Kurt Geiger and Objects In Mirror are fairly utilitarian, though Lanvin’s satin, Alexander Wang’s Abbey and Ralph Lauren’s Quinlin are sleeker.

Lace ups are an eternal choice for flat lovers, and glitter jazzies have returned in popularity from last year’s burst onto the mainstream scene.  Whether you actually want laces or not (in the case of Wild Pair’s Trouser), the options for glitter lace ups are certain to expand with the coming fall season, though the five below are all available right now.

Jeffrey Campbell’s Uniform has seen many reincarnations, the glitter version [gold also available] being just the latest in their flashy footwear foray.  Pour la Victore’s Bling is similar, though features contrast laces and is marked down from nearly $200.  Topshop’s Venus is another affordable high street offering, though boasts a unique glitter covered heel.

They say the cheese stands alone, but there is nothing remotely cheesy about Miu Miu’s low platform brogues, a clear take on the label’s big sister Prada’s extreme pairs.  This style is much for fall forward as there is no espadrille roping, and clearly much more functional due to the lower platform.

There’s a trend of oxblood everything coming around this fall, which is great for color lovers that don’t want to get too clown like with primary shades.  Oxblood is like a brownish red hue; literally like drying blood.  It may sound gross, but wearing that color is spectacular; it’s rich, goes with much more than your standard brighter reds and will not have you looking like Santa Claus.

We have varying shades of red, though my favorite pieces have more brown tones.  Starting with the low lace-ups, starting with my favorite, Dr Martens Packard.  Asos’ Aiden is a lovely brogue boot, while Fiorentini and Baker’s Cusna will blend into any look effortlessly.  For heel lovers, Carvela’s Splice and Sara boots are just the ticket.

When it comes to laceless, [much to my delight] the Chelsea style seems to be reigning supreme.  Topshop’s Marvel, N.D.C.’s pull on and Penelope Chilvers’ Cubana is the most spectacular of the group.  Red velvet is still on top, baby!

I can’t get enough black ankle boots.  They’re my absolute favorite, and I’m a die hard fan – heeled, elastic insert, buckling, suede, short crops or taller, I care not! They’re classic, and go with everything one could possibly wear.. a perfect boot.

Asos’ Alibi is by far the most affordable of the group, though it has the least heel of the group.  Kate Maconie’s Emily short boot and Fluevog’s Perry are next in line, the Fluevog style being a rather pleasant surprise as this is not a brand I am typically a fan of.

The low heel kingdom is also graced with Jil Sander’s elastic pull on and Jimmy Choo’s suede panel Dore, while a slightly higher heel belongs to Giuseppe Zanotti’s short boot, Alexander Wang’s buckled Ashley and Paul Smith’s Vera.

The Alexander Wang and Fluevog are my favorites.. can you pick just one?! (Clearly I couldn’t)

All I can say is that I’m freaking in lurve with these creepers; all of their neutral suede, neutral chunky sole, woven effect, faux bondage d-ring laces, everything is just wonderful.  I can’t say anything more than George Cox for Asos’ creepers are at the tip top of my list! A black version is available as well, though you can’t see the detailing nearly as well.

When it comes to a short heel, cropped boot you can’t get better than Acne’s Pistol boot.   For those who find the nearly 6 bill tag a little too daunting, Dolce Vita offers the Jamison; a similarly designed ankle boot for $120.

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When I think of the label Mark Fast, I think slinky, sleek, [typically] dark knit silhouettes on their own or amongst a lot of leather, so when I heard tell that Mark Fast was doing a collab with Aldo, there was some elevated heart rates.

What I didn’t expect to see was a preview sketch of an orange, fringey thing with a very small knit panel that didn’t evoke the Fast label to me at all.  Granted this is only one sketch from what I assume is a handful, though I’m not excited at what I see.

I really wonder what the rest of the group is going to look like.

Everyone knows [or should know] how I love my Pskaufman boots [I have these glorious wingtips].  Below is a feature on Paul Kaufman, designer of Pskaufman, discussing not only his own range but his ties to hipster favorite NaNa and how that related to Chloë Sevigny’s collection with Opening Ceremony.

Watch, erryone! You’ll love ze shoes.

Zara has never been a forefront brand on my radar; I estimate this due to not having a functional online store available to the Americas, but hey, we won’t nit pick.  The point of this showcase is there are six delightful new pairs of very affordable leather shoes in the process of arriving in time for the FW11 shift.

The six below are my personal favorites from the Zara FW11 collection.  We have the more feminine two tone pump and snakeskin bootie, and the more traditionally loved menswear influences of the Bulcher lace up, short bike boots, oxblood Chelseas and two tone booties.  All of these are made from real leather, and range from $70 – $129US.. quite the steal, with designs all being very wearable and on the moment trend wise.

Bloch shoes are excellent transitional pieces for many reasons; they’re light, leather and these Hannah flats are oxford inspired for a menswear look.  These kicks are on sale for $100; they come in black, moon and nude, sizes 6-11 available in most (including half sizes)

Need an invite to Beyond the Rack? Get in thurr!

There is one constant in fall dressing other than the Little Black Dress, and that’s the Little Black Boot.  As you can tell, these aren’t so little in height, but they are classic, staple pieces for one’s wardrobe.  It’s up to you how high you want that boot shaft to crawl, whether to the thigh like LD Tuttle’s The Stack, or calf range like the other three.

A classic riding style boot is always a style I stand by; keep your calves looking thin by wearing a tighter circumference shaft.  The three chosen are similar, yet have just enough defining characteristics to keep them apart.  Alberto Fasciani’s features a stamped crest, Ash’s Scott has a posterior zipper [from heel to buckle] and Rocco Pistolesi’s is the most classic of the three with a plain design; only top loops for pulling the boot on.

Spice Girls, Party Monster, whatever your game there are plenty of platform sneakers going around for those brave (and short) enough to wear them.

I can’t say I’ll be lacing these Jeffrey Campbell Sporty sneaks on my own feet, but they’re a spitting image of Macaulay Culkin in a party monster themed shoot by Terry Richardson in 2008.

Prada’s espadrille platform brogues have been on everyone’s hot list, but not everyone that fancies this new flat can go down the nearly $800 route.  For the rest of us, we [thankfully] have the high street, which has latched onto this style like a rabid beast. Like their brands, they range in height, color and how the espadrille style has been interpreted (or lack thereof). Let’s begin!

First off is Jeffrey Campbell’s Ad Long triplets; they are the tallest and most daring of the group, available in nude/red, black/white and brown/orange.  For the girlies looking to add the most height and get the most confused looks, the JC route is definitely the option for you.  A close second is Modekungen’s green Creepy, though be warned they are the only pair below that aren’t real leather.

The in betweeners are definitely Asos’ Monroe collection.  I’m loving how daring the pink style is, though that may be a bit Pepto for the masses.  For a more subdued look the brown is definitely a blender, though if you like to get clown shit crazy, the mixed metallic is a best bet.

We’ll finish off with Topshop’s Kingston duo, the safest yet most wearable of the entire group.  While these do not feature any espadrille roping (a pro for some of us), they do feature a single color platform as a standout. There is the brown/green or more standout-ish black/pink – either way, these are the mots FW11 ready if you’re one of those who like to buy ahead of the seasonal change.

For those as unstable as myself while walking in a heel, we know we need stability, but we don’t always want a flat or wedge.  For those in between days, thick heels are best – the chunkier the better.

For our particular tastes, we have the first few chunksters off the FW11 production conveyor belts; the floral Jeffrey Campbell Rumble Fab, Cheap Monday Angle Low and Topshop’s Psychic studded booties.  These booties not only vary in heel style, but textile and detailing.  These are a decent projection of what we can expect in the coming month as to FW11; hold onto your hats, people.. it’s going to be a great season.