Best Boots Forward

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As any fashionista will tell you, the winter sale season is the perfect time to buy basic boots—the kind that defy the passing of seasons and trends. You pay less, without having to worry whether they'll remain cutting edge a year down the road. Here are our top five picks for boots that will see you through the next few years. The prices are from the height of the autumn season: now, you should look for discounts of up to 50%:

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PRADA In the fall, trendy girls wore Prada's riding boots (from $925) with floral silk dresses. We don't know what they'll pair them with next year, but we do know that the boots are a classic and won't go out of style anytime soon.

MARNI One of the hottest fashion houses to emerge in recent years, Marni has boots usually in brown leather, with a hippie yet sophisticated feel. Look out for the over-the-knee version (from $980) which was shown on the runway with everything from cropped trousers to brightly colored dresses. They're both currently cool and destined to be future classics.

EMILIO PUCCI Proof that even rain boots can be fun, Pucci's prints (from $99) are now designed by Christian Lacroix. The crazy, colorful swirls stand out on a gray, wet winter's day.

GUCCI The big hit this past fall was the tight and tall number that fit neatly over the knees. Go to Gucci for a pair with double G's (from $1,260) from the last fall season Tom Ford will design for the house.

HERMES Helmut Newton called it the ultimate S&M shop, and you only have to look at Hermes' riding boots (from $1,200) to see why.