The 6 Autumn Shoe Trends Every Fashion Editor Will Be Wearing Next

We know, we know—this fashion game is a fickle thing. While you're just figuring out what to wear with espadrilles and working up to splash out on those must-have summer sandals, we're already thinking about what our feet are going to be decked in come autumn (hint: not espadrilles or sandals, so get as much wear out of them now as you possibly can).

But it pays to be informed about the key trends early and let them simmer for a while, that way when the shops start stocking winter boots, you'll know which styles you don't want to miss out and those you're happy to miss. And with the A/W 17 shows having taken place last February and March, we've had ample time to dissect what we saw on the catwalks and categorise them into the key trends we think you'll care about the most.

So what's hot? Boots, ranging across the taste spectrum from '80s-style slouchy to western-inspired feature heavily, but designers had a lot of fun with embellishment and sculpted heel details too. And velvet, lashings of velvet. As of yet, there's no evidence of a polarising shoe movement to debate, but there's still time for an obscure brand to leap in and claim the new season's "ugly"-shoe crown.

So here's some fun homework: Scroll through the gallery below to get ahead on the key footwear trends for A/W 17.

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1. Heels With a Difference
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Style Notes: This is where the heel works as hard as the detail on the rest of the shoe. We loved Prada's gold-tipped courts. 

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(Image credit: Estrop/Getty Images)

Dries Van Noten

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(Image credit: Estrop/ Getty Images)

Marni

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2. Slouchy Boots
(Image credit: VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images)

Style Notes: Maybe you've still got a pair from the first time around. If you haven't, Marc Jacobs's hardworking style is a savvy investment that will go with trousers and skirts alike.

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(Image credit: Estrop/Getty Images)

Saint Laurent

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(Image credit: Estrop/Getty Images)

Michael Kors

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3. Elaborately Embellished
(Image credit: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images)

Style Notes: New-season party shoes are unashamedly disco. If it ain't sparkly like this Isabel Marant pair, then think twice before buying. 

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(Image credit: Peter White/Getty Images)

Loewe

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(Image credit: Estrop/Getty Images)

Chanel

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4. Ready for Combat
(Image credit: Estrop/Getty Images)

Style Notes: Utility-style boots are back once more but with more emphasis on lace-ups than chunky buckles this time around. And the colour choice is more diverse too, as witnessed at Altuzarra. 

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(Image credit: Peter White/Getty Images)

Dior

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(Image credit: Peter White/Getty Images)

Hermès

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5. Sumptuous in Velvet
(Image credit: Peter White/Getty Images)

Style Notes: What to wear with last season's velvet dress? New, co-ordinating footwear. At the top of our shopping list is these unapologetically sexy lace-ups by Giambattista Valli (and a bulk buy of protector spray). 

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(Image credit: Estrop/Getty Images)

Carolina Herrera

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(Image credit: Peter White/FilmMagic)

Tibi

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6. Best Western
(Image credit: Dominique Charriau/WireImage)

Style Notes: Be prepared for winter boots to come with a little side of cowboy charm next season. These Balmain beauties are the perfect marriage of rock 'n' roll, Chelsea and cowboy. 

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(Image credit: REX/Shutterstock)

Louis Vuitton 

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(Image credit: Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images)

Calvin Klein