Women's Foldover Boots

What are foldover boots?

Foldover boots, also called fold-over or fold-down boots, have an upper designed to turn back on itself, creating a cuff at the top of the shaft. The fold adds shape and texture, softens the line of the boot and shows a glimpse of the inside. The statement comes from the silhouette itself rather than from hardware or embellishment. Depending on the style, the cuff can sit at the ankle, mid-calf or just below the knee.

Where did foldover boots come from?

The turned-down boot has been around for about four hundred years. In the 1600s, cavaliers wore tall riding boots with wide bucket tops. They pulled them up for protection in the saddle and folded them down below the knee when they were off it. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the “top boot” became the riding and hunting boot of choice, with a turned-down top that showed off the lining.

The 1980s brought the fold back in a looser form: slouchy, scrunched and swashbuckling boots moved from the club scene to the high street. In the early 2000s, a folded-down cuff worn with a mini became a defining Y2K look. Today’s foldovers keep that relaxed attitude but with cleaner lines, so they work as well with tailoring as they do with denim.

How to wear foldover boots

• With skirts and dresses: Leave a little leg between the hem and the cuff so the fold has room to show. Minis and midis both work.
• With jeans: Tuck slim or straight-leg denim in to put the cuff on display, or let cropped flares skim just over the top.
• With tailoring: A slouchy foldover under cropped trousers takes the edge off a sharp suit, which is a good weekday-to-weekend trick.

Foldover boots FAQs

What’s the difference between foldover boots and slouch boots?
Slouch boots have a soft shaft that collapses into loose folds around the leg. Foldover boots have a deliberate cuff at the top. Plenty of styles do a bit of both.

Can you wear foldover boots unfolded?
Some styles are designed to be worn either way, and others are built with a permanent fold. Check the product details on each pair.

How do I look after foldover boots?
Store them upright with boot shapers, and refold along the existing crease so you don’t create new ones. For suede pairs, a protector spray before the first wear helps the cuff keep looking sharp.