Editors' Picks: Boots for Fall 2011

When we set out to find boots to put on our most wanted list this season, we were inspired by the guidelines set down by Flashionista.com's savvy founder and editor, Mary Marino. Here's what she wrote:

"Shoes should NEVER match the bag if you’re a day over 30. It’ll age you at least 10 years.

Shoes and clothing that match should be limited to bridal occasions and not much else. In other words, if you’re wearing a red dress don’t wear red shoes. The most modern way to do it is to wear either a contrasting or a neutral color.

Do NOT be afraid of colored shoes!"

That last piece of advice is our favorite, so we're starting our collection with these ruby red Sir Barton ankle boots by Rachel Comey, available at Forward for $341. Yes, the price is high, but Mary points out that cost-per-wearing is what really matters. She says she's worn one of her favorite pairs of ankle boots so often over the past several years that the cost is mere pennies by now.

Suede Wedge Ankle Boots Another pricey-but-worth-it choice is this pair of suede wedge ankle boots by Stuart Weitzman Xplain for $450. You can get them in taupe, black, or cola online at Zappos. We like them paired with a long skirt for a boho look or with jeans when the weather gets chilly.

Green Suede Lace-ups Diane von Furstenberg's green suede lace-ups are Mary Marino's favorite this fall. We love them, too! The good news is that you can either lace them snugly so they embrace your leg half way up your calf, or you can loosen the ties and fold the tops down. The even better news is that they are on sale for $150 at Footnotesonline, marked down from $350! Snap them up now so you can don an elfin look for the holidays.

Sporty Leather Style For $130 at Zappos, you can't go wrong with these sporty Born Ramsey leather boots in taupe or black. The heel is just high enough to be flattering but not so high that you'll end up teetering. This style is a bit lower at the ankle than most, so it works well with boot-cut jeans.

Walkabout Comfort Corso Como's suede over-the-knee boot gives you a statuesque appearance and plenty of warmth. The heel is low and there's a built-in gel pad for all day comfort. Get a pair at Nordstrom for $198.95 and wear with a knee-brushing trumpet skirt, a silk blouse, and a boyfriend jacket. Perfect at the office or add a rope of sparkly beads and go out on the town!

Cold Weather Classic A tall suede design by Bettye Muller called the "Luge" is both cozy and stylish. Shearling on the cuff adds to eye-appeal and keeps out the cold, too. Crepe wedges are 3" so you get some lift without sacrificing comfort. On sale at Footsnotesonline for $150, down from $395. Hurry on over to the site and get a pair in taupe or stone before they're sold out!

The Price Is Right! We saved the most affordable option for last. These easy-on-the-feet faux suede slouchies are yours at Payless for only $40. Pull them on when you're ready to relax in cords or jeans, or team them up with gauchos for a more sophisticated image that can go to work even when it's not casual Friday!