Fall boots are a special kind of footwear. They aren’t those heavy-duty, all-weather anvils we need to pull on to survive New England winters. They’re far more fun, and they can run the gamut as far as your fashion imagination will take you. They range from glossy leather riding numbers and snazzy faux animal skins to high-heeled statements that show off skirts and cowboy designs to booties and knee-high suedes.

It all really depends on your mood, the rest of your look, and the occasion.

A Wild Day: Animal prints were all over the fall/winter 2024 runways of design houses such as Michael Kors and Givenchy — including the accessories. Other smart brands followed suit, as with the faux leopard-print Therin Dress Booties ($159 on ninewest.com) by Nine West. The well-priced stiletto, with its nearly three-inch tapered heel and side zipper, dresses up any look. They come in three colors, but grab a pair in leopard and you’ll be stalking the street like it’s a runway every day.

A Cozy Day: Easily one of the biggest trends this season, suede boots are happily ubiquitous — particularly in a slew of lovely warm shades, from taupe to sunset. I have my eye on a supersoft pair by Stuart Weitzman, the Kaia Bootie ($650 on neimanmarcus.com) with a mid-level stacked heel that gives a little height, but still offers plenty of comfort. In Flannel Sport Suede, it’s a soft gray that offsets nearly every outfit you own, and it has an easy pull-on style. I love how supple the material is, so it feels wonderful all day.

A Wet Day: You didn’t think we could escape some weather, did you? Come on; this is New England. Take a tip from the Brits and snap up a pair of Barbour’s Chelsea Wellies ($100 on orvis.com) to toss on when the precipitation starts. These waterproof babies keep your tootsies dry as a bone while delivering a posh profile.

A Cover-Up Day: They were a standout when Julia Roberts wore them in “Pretty Woman,” and the over-the-knee boot is now a staple in chic wardrobes. They can take any ho-hum getup to “damn!” with just a few zips or a quick pull-on. For that reason alone you’ll want to wear them a lot, so they’ve got to be versatile in color and style. I like Loeffler Randall’s Deidre 85MM Leather Over-The-Knee Boots ($374 on saksfifthavenue.com).

An Eclectic Day: Some boots go with nothing in particular, so they go with almost everything. Such is the case with the Matisse Raquel Boots ($280 on anthropologie.com). Despite the color’s name (“Neutral Motif”), they’re a faux snakeskin blocked with leather upper, to create a pattern reminiscent of a cowboy boot met with a stiletto. These are the kind of accessory to build an outfit around, not vice versa. But that makes it all the more fun to ad lib your way into a creative look.

A Riding Day: Whether you’re actually an equestrian or not, it’s tough to deny the versatility and pure aesthetic appeal of The Marc Fisher Laile Riding Boot ($99.99 on dsw.com). In a lustrous vintage brown leather with straps and goldtone details, the classic design has a square toe and stacked block heel that elevates everything from jeans and a fitted blazer to a silk dress with a velvet jacket. Mark my words: These just may become the M.V.P. of your autumn closet.

Marc Fisher Laile Riding Boot (Photo dsw.com)
Matisse Raquel Boots (Photo anthropologie.com).
Loeffler Randall’s Deidre 85MM Leather Over-The-Knee Boots (Photo saksfifthavenue.com)
Barbour’s Chelsea Wellies (Photo orvis.com)