Chic Boot Trends for 2012

​Going into 2012 it appears that boots for women are not just winter wear any longer. Even as spring approaches there are plenty of new must-have boots for women appearing on the store shelves.  It looks like chic ankle boots, chic booties and sexy knee-high boots will all be hot for 2012. No matter what type of heel you like, there are heels of every type along with some great new designs ranging from boots to wear with your best jeans to thigh-high boots to wear with minis and opaque tights or leggings. This season the selection of women's boots will include everything from UGGs to sexy stilettos. Traditional winter-style boots with fake fur and wool trim are making a comeback, and in addition to the standard sporty and practical styles of women’s boots, there are also many casual fashion boots with high-lighted trim and accents showing up this season, including a few high-heel and dressy styles too.

Although winter boots are still popular and even though you'd never look for snow boots with heels, when it comes to fashion boots, the newest designs have done a good job of transitioning from utility footwear into more fashion-oriented boots. The chunky wedge heel trend means you'll find plenty of heeled winter boots to choose from and you can get a bit of added height with those styles that feature mid-height heels. Wedge heels are still popular and always great for pairing with skirts, and for women who do a lot of walking or standing, they're much more comfortable than stiletto heels of any kind.

Lace-up boots remain stylish this year and are quite practical as they allow you to tighten the laces to provide a better fit. Many of this year's fashion boots feature full front lacing, and lace-up fronts are rapidly becoming available on everything from heeled ankle booties to tall flat boots. Trends that combine function with fashion are showing up this year too. “Purse n’ Boots” are knee-high leather boots with storage pockets hidden inside to hold cell phones, makeup items, credit cards or whatever. The idea behind Purse n’ Boots was to eliminate the need for women to carry purses while enjoying a night out on the town. They come in a classic style boot with a 2.8 inch heel and are now being carried at select retail stores in Canada and the U.S.  Whatever your chic boot needs might be, it looks like they’ll be something available for every woman this year.