You may have noticed, Ped fans, that this autumn, it’s all about the ankle boot! Sweet and low booties have held sway for several years now, but this season the designs go above and beyond. They’re sexier! They’re more versatile! And they boast more street sass!

So many knockout styles have landed at Ped HQ that we’re breaking our bootie tour into two parts. Today we’ll stay well-grounded with flat boots, and in our next post, we’ll amp up the altitude with heeled designs.

On with the bootie-ful show:

If you’re someone who likes things lean and clean, with zero fuss, Fiorentini + Baker has your holy grail: the Elf!

Simplicity at its chicest, crafted with good lines and lovely materials! We are crazy about the “Bosco” suede version, which is a light tobacco that looks great with everything, but if you must have black, we’ve got your back!

Minimal bells and whistles and maximal softness are also the key elements of the Trippen Bomb:

The Bomb‘s buckle strap is removable, so you can cinch or un-cinch, scrunch or un-scrunch, or even fold the top over, depending on your mood. The washed leather is sinfully buttery (how to stop touching it?), no matter whether you choose the washed brown version shown or the washed black.

Pep Monjo builds a cinching buckle strap right into the design of his Sybil boot:

We love this modern re-imagining of the classic motorcycle boot! Grey is still all the rage and makes a great neutral. Then again, a black boot is always a good bet!

Another convincing argument for going grey–at least, at the ankles–is Cydwoq’s new Mechanic:

How we heart this hearty lace-up with its cool piecing and top-stitching! And the Vibram rubber lug sole means the Mechanic is tooled for all-weather walking!

If you like a little extra fun in your functional bootie, the following three styles might have your name on them. First up, the Cydwoq Beacon is back with extra flair:

The Beacon was one of our biggest hits last year! For extra flash, we’ve added a splash of green and orange plaid suede to the mix. The result? The perfect fall bootie!

Trippen lives up to its reputation for playful designs by stitching a puzzle piece into its new Game boot:

Crafted from unbelievably soft leather, the Game is funky but still versatile and ideal for everyday wear! And who doesn’t love a zipper up the back?

Of course, if we’re talking zippers, our new be-zipped favorite is Trippen’s Helix!

How fun is this boot???!!!??? Not only is the spiral zipper innovative and entertaining, but it also allows you to wear this boot any number of ways! The coolest boot in the house, hands–er, feet–down!

As always, there are even more great flat-soled ankle boots awaiting your discovery at Ped’s main site! In any of these booties, getting caught flat-footed is a good thing!

(And don’t miss this week’s “endless summer” Sweet Treat, the Cydwoq Crete! Become a Greek goddess for 20% off by clicking “be sweet to your feet” at the bottom of the box on the left of most Ped pages. When you land at the Crete with the “Sweet Treat” designation, just add it to your bag to get the discount automatically at checkout.)

I don’t know about you, Ped fans, but when the trees lose their leaves and the temperature drops, I need something special to put the zip back in my step. Fortunately, a big box of Trippen has just arrived at Ped central! Those award-winning designers in Berlin know just how to liven up grey days with fun and funky footwear! But Trippen’s shoes and boots go beyond edgy and artistic; they’re also supremely comfortable, and most are cut to accommodate cozy socks.

Our latest shipment includes both old favorites and new styles to brighten your fall and winter! Here are a few ways Trippen will have you skipping through the chilly days ahead:

If you’re looking for a boot that’s understated and versatile, but also a little different, Trippen’s wonderful new Nightingale is just the thing:

This boot’s deliciously soft nubuck is further textured by a few carefully placed folds sewn along a seam near the back. The wine color is rich, but the detail we love is the zingy red zipper running up the inside of the shaft! It’s just a little detail, but it brings so much to the party.

Like the Nightingale, the go-anywhere Apart Bootie is also built on Trippen’s super light “cups” rubber sole. (You have to wear it to believe how comfortable it is!)

Big bang for your boot buck, the oh-so-supple Apart offers several ways to wear it: pulled up, scrunched down, or folded over into a cuff!

Offering options in a different way is Trippen’s Bomb Bootie:

This little beauty comes with both brown AND black straps that let you cinch up the ankle just the way you like it. Change them out as your fancy strikes you—or go strapless! The Bomb comes in the great espresso brown pictured above, as well as in matte black! It is THE BOMB!

Another terrific black ankle boot is Trippen’s new Fox:

Such a cutie!!! This innovative style pays homage to the lace-up oxford but raises the style ante with a supple gaiter that forms a loose ruffle around the ankle. Both funky and feminine, the foxy Fox stands on Trippen’s comfortable t-shaped rubber wedge!

We’ve also brought back the boot that won everyone’s heart last year: the Holy!

Those swooping exposed seams and the way the ankle strap laces through and around the upper make us sigh with love! So funky yet utterly wearable!

For those of you who want a jolt of color, check out Trippen’s Blackbird (cousin of the Nightingale above):

How luscious is that blue? Note the folds in the supple nubuck that radiate from the top of the heel to the seam that sinuously curves from the inside ankle over the foot to the outside edge. Such artistry!

If you want something even bolder, Trippen has just the ticket: the Mild Bootie. It’s our favorite!

Red hot! Definitely more wild than mild, this boot will have everyone talking! Buckle up because you’ll be the center of attention everywhere you go! (We also have the Mild in black for you fans of all things noir.)

These are just the tip of the iceberg of Trippen styles that will have you looking both cooler than cool and hotter than hot, no matter how wintry the day!

(By the way, this week’s Sweet Treat is also a bonfire of hotness: Vialis’ Marguerita Boot! Simply click “be sweet to your feet” in the upper right corner of any Ped page to arrive at the Marguerita with the discount code that will bring 20% at checkout!)

No sooner did I finish writing about all the beautiful booties in the Ped warehouse than a shipment from Trippen arrived! Inside? Even more hip low boots to make your autumn bootie-licious! Of course, Berlin-based Trippen brings unmistakable Euro funk to their designs! Not only do Trippen’s shoes and boots look and feel fantastic, they’re also the product of a socially responsible company that’s committed to sound environmental practices and paying employees a living wage!

But let’s get on with the latest! Here’s a sampling of what those German design geniuses have bestowed upon us this season:

A new low boot that really packs a “wow” is Trippen’s Taurus!

Trippen artfully places a structural coil on each side of the ankle, so they resemble the horns of a prize bull! Ped’s Laura has been counting the days, waiting to get this badass boot in-house.  Now she (and you!) can wear it out and about—so fab with jeans or a knee-length skirt!

Who can resist a red boot? Not us!

Between the wrap-around strap, the exposed seaming, and the lightweight “penna” rubber sole, we don’t know what we like best about the wild Mild Boot. Each of the parts is fantastic, but the sum is out of this world!

Another great boot, with added versatility, is Trippen’s Bomb:

What’s cool about this super-comfortable number is it comes with both brown and black removable straps, so you can pick and choose—or go without—depending on your mood. Plus, the leather is so soft you can scrunch it down, wear it pulled up, or fold it over.

You know with me, there will be green on the scene. For this season, it’s Trippen’s Posh:

This cute boot, with its lacing around leather buttons, stands on Trippen’s ultra-comfortable t-shaped wedge. We love. We love.

In fact, we found the Posh’s button detailing so charming, we fell headlong for the Button:

The blue of this shootie is deliciously saturated and juicy! Plus, we love how simple and wearable it is, built on Trippen’s super-light “cups” rubber sole!

Ah, Trippen, you always make our hearts beat a little faster! So fun AND functional! And, as always, there’s even more Trippen goodness to savor at Ped’s main site!