Instead of Black Ankle Boots, This Celeb-Approved Style and Color Will Be Trending This Fall

If there’s one shoe you can count on reappearing every fall like clockwork, it’s the classic black ankle boot. It was a staple when I was in high school, and it remains one in 2026. (I've just swapped low-rise bootcut jeans for slouchy trousers these days.) This season, however, there’s a fresh alternative worth adding to the rotation: white lace-up boots with a heel. Charlize Theron recently made the case for the style, teaming a sleek Celine pair with a black satin maxi dress, also by Celine, while promoting The Odyssey in Seoul, South Korea.

The best part? You don’t have to save these boots for fancy occasions. Try lace-up boots with straight-leg jeans and a chunky knit sweater, a miniskirt and an oversized blazer, or relaxed trousers and a fitted polo shirt. You really can't go wrong any way you slice it because the trend will make your fall pieces feel cool and current. That doesn’t mean they’re replacing black ankle boots—we’ll never stop wearing those—but if you want your fall wardrobe to feel a little more of-the-moment, this is the pair to know about. Scroll down to shop.