The Brown Knee-High Boots I'm Wearing on Repeat This Fall: 5 Ways to Style Steve Madden Notta
The brown knee-high boots earning a permanent spot in my fall wardrobe—and five outfit ideas to inspire your next look.
If there’s one thing I love about fall fashion, it’s finding those pieces that make getting dressed feel a little more exciting. The kind of pieces that instantly pull an outfit together, make your basics feel new again, and have you thinking, I can’t wait to wear this.
This season, that piece is a pair of brown knee-high boots.
I recently partnered with Steve Madden to style their Notta boots in brown, and I already know they’re going to be one of my favorite shoes to reach for this fall. They have that perfect combination of classic and fashion-forward: a rich brown color, a sleek knee-high silhouette, and a pointed toe that gives even the simplest outfit a more polished feel. And while I love a good statement shoe, what really makes a pair worth adding to your wardrobe is how many ways you can wear it. I’m always looking for pieces that work with what I already own and can take me from casual everyday outfits to a dressed-up dinner look without needing an entirely new wardrobe. So today, I’m sharing five ways I’d style these boots this fall, plus a few tips for making knee-high boots work with the pieces already hanging in your closet.
Why I’m Choosing Brown Boots This Fall
Black boots will always have a place in my closet, but brown is such a beautiful alternative when I want an outfit to feel a little warmer, softer, and more interesting. Brown pairs effortlessly with so many fall colors, including cream, camel, denim blue, olive green, burgundy, and chocolate. It also works beautifully with the richer color combinations I’m loving this season. Think burgundy with powder blue, olive with plum, or a simple cream sweater with dark denim.
The Steve Madden Notta boots have a pointed toe and a three-inch heel, giving them a sleek silhouette that works with everything from denim to skirts and dresses. They’re also made with a vegan leather upper, making them a great option if you’re looking for that polished leather-look finish. My favorite part? They make an outfit feel intentional without requiring a lot of extra effort. And if you know me, you know I’m all about making everyday outfits feel a little more styled.
5 Ways to Style Brown Knee-High Boots This Fall
1. Straight-Leg Jeans + a Cozy Sweater
Let’s start with the outfit formula I’ll probably wear on repeat: denim, a cozy sweater, and a great pair of boots. There’s something about a simple jeans-and-sweater combination that never goes out of style, but adding knee-high boots gives it a more elevated feel. I love the idea of pairing the brown Notta boots with straight-leg or slim-straight jeans, a cream or camel sweater, and a structured bag. Want to make it a little more fashion-forward? Swap the neutral sweater for a pop of burgundy, butter yellow, or powder blue. You could also add a belt, oversized sunglasses, or gold jewelry to finish the look.
Styling tip: Pay attention to the fit of your jeans and how they work with the boot shaft. Depending on the cut and fabric, you may prefer jeans that tuck in smoothly or a cropped style that lets the boots take center stage. The goal is a clean, comfortable silhouette—not forcing a combination that doesn’t work.
The formula: Straight-leg denim + cozy sweater + brown knee-high boots + structured bag.
2. A Mini Skirt + an Oversized Knit
If you want a fall outfit that feels feminine, a little playful, and effortlessly chic, try pairing knee-high boots with a mini skirt and an oversized sweater. I love the contrast between the shorter hemline and the tall boot. It creates a balanced look while still feeling relaxed enough for everyday wear. Try a black or chocolate mini skirt with a chunky cream knit, or experiment with plaid, suede, or an animal-print skirt if you want your outfit to make more of a statement. For accessories, keep it simple with a shoulder bag and delicate jewelry—or lean into the more-is-more mood of fall with oversized earrings and a fun belt. And don’t feel like you have to stick to neutrals. A burgundy sweater with a brown skirt and brown boots would be such a pretty combination for the season.
Styling tip: Play with proportions. If your skirt is fitted, an oversized sweater can add softness and volume. If you’re wearing a fuller skirt, try a more fitted knit or tuck in the front to define your waist.
The formula: Mini skirt + oversized sweater + knee-high boots + shoulder bag.
3. A Midi Skirt or Dress + Tall Boots
One of my favorite ways to make a dress or skirt feel more appropriate for cooler weather is to pair it with tall boots. A midi skirt creates a beautiful, elongated look with knee-high boots, especially when you choose complementary colors. Think a satin midi skirt with a fitted knit, a pleated skirt with a simple blouse, or a printed skirt paired with a solid-colored sweater. Dresses work just as well. A sweater dress is an easy everyday option, while a long-sleeve dress can be dressed up with a structured coat and a few statement accessories. For my color-loving girls, this is also the perfect opportunity to try something unexpected. A burgundy midi skirt with brown boots? Yes. Olive green with chocolate brown? Absolutely. You can keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the color combination do the work.
Styling tip: Consider where the hemline falls in relation to the top of your boots. A small gap between the two can create definition, while a longer skirt that partially covers the boot can feel more fluid. Both can work beautifully depending on the shape of your skirt and the look you want.
The formula: Midi skirt or dress + fitted knit or blouse + brown knee-high boots + tailored coat.
4. Tailored Bermuda Shorts + a Blouse
Who says knee-high boots are only for jeans, skirts, and dresses? One of my favorite ways to make a classic shoe feel more unexpected is to pair it with a piece you might not immediately think to wear with it. Enter: tailored Bermuda shorts. For a fashion-forward fall look, style tailored shorts with a blouse, a lightweight sweater, or a fitted long-sleeve top. Add the brown boots and a belt, and you have an outfit that feels polished but not predictable. For an elevated daytime look, try camel or black shorts with a cream blouse and brown boots. If you want something a little bolder, experiment with plaid shorts or an interesting color combination. Of course, this outfit is best for those in-between fall days when the weather still cooperates. As temperatures drop, you can swap the shorts for a mini skirt or tailored trousers and keep the rest of the styling inspiration.
Styling tip: Structure is your friend here. Tailored shorts help balance the height and sleekness of knee-high boots, while a tucked-in blouse or defined waist keeps the overall silhouette intentional.
The formula: Tailored Bermuda shorts + blouse + brown knee-high boots + belt and bag.
5. Tonal Neutrals: Brown, Camel, Cream & Chocolate
Sometimes the chicest outfit is the simplest one. If you love a neutral wardrobe, try building an outfit around different shades of brown, camel, cream, and chocolate. The result feels cohesive and elevated without needing bold prints or lots of accessories. For example, pair a cream sweater with camel trousers or a chocolate skirt and finish with your brown knee-high boots. You could also wear a brown jacket over a simple white top and dark denim, letting the boots tie everything together. The trick to making a neutral outfit feel interesting is mixing textures. Try denim with suede-look fabrics, chunky knits with smooth finishes, or a structured jacket with a soft sweater. Even when the colors are similar, the different textures give the outfit dimension. And remember: tonal dressing doesn’t mean every shade has to match perfectly. In fact, slightly different shades of brown can make an outfit look even more intentional.
Styling tip: Use your accessories to pull everything together. A brown belt, a matching or complementary handbag, gold jewelry, or oversized sunglasses can make a simple outfit feel finished.
The formula: Cream knit + camel or chocolate separates + brown boots + coordinating accessories.
A Few More Ways to Make Your Fall Boots Feel New
Before you decide you need another pair of shoes, take a look at what you already own. A great pair of boots can give familiar pieces a completely different feel. Here are a few more combinations to try:
Add a statement coat. Pair your boots with a tailored coat in camel, olive, burgundy, or a fun print.
Play with animal print. A leopard-print belt, bag, or skirt adds personality while the brown boots keep the outfit grounded.
Try unexpected color combinations. Brown looks beautiful with powder blue, burgundy, olive, and even butter yellow.
Bring back an old favorite. That dress or skirt you haven’t worn in months might feel brand-new when styled with tall boots.
Mix casual and polished pieces. Try a basic tee and jeans with a blazer, a great bag, and your boots for an easy everyday outfit.
The best outfits aren’t always built around the newest pieces. Sometimes, they’re about looking at the clothes you already own in a different way.
Are Brown Knee-High Boots Worth Adding to Your Fall Wardrobe?
If you’re looking for a shoe that can work across multiple outfit formulas, brown knee-high boots are a great place to start. They’re classic enough to wear season after season, but they can also feel fresh when styled with this season’s colors, textures, and silhouettes. The Steve Madden Notta boots are a particularly sleek option if you love a pointed toe and a more elevated finish. Their rich brown color makes them easy to pair with denim, skirts, dresses, and tailored pieces, while the knee-high silhouette gives even a simple outfit a little extra polish.
And as always, remember that the goal isn’t to buy every trend you see. It’s to find pieces that fit your personal style and help you create more outfits with confidence. Because getting dressed should feel fun—not like you have a full closet and absolutely nothing to wear.
Until next time,
Sweet Caroline Collection
Helping you get dressed with more confidence, creativity, and intention.
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