By Amanda Garrigus

When we think about fall footwear, visions of boots, lace-ups, and at the very least, closed-toes come to mind. Rightly so. As temperatures drop, our tootsies need protecting. That said, there’s always room for a little avant garde, and this fall, topping the trendiest shoe list, is the lowly mule. We kid. Nothing about the mule is lowly, except maybe its heel. Mules are the footwear of choice for cool girls from SoCal to the South of France. They are at once sophisticated and effortless. When you wear them well, an informed observer will recognize you as a stylish woman to be reckoned with. Our guess is, you already own a pair. If you don’t, or even if you do, here are a few it-girl approved versions to add to your collection.

Who says a mule can’t keep your feet warm? These shearling slides are best worn with relaxed denim, or as an accompaniment to the slip dress, another of fall’s trendiest items.

These white leather mules take the place of the classic loafer. Wear them to the office with a cropped, wide leg trouser for maximum impact.

Mules love a night out. Take them to cocktails or dinner, but when you do, why not elevate things with a kitten-heel? This satin option is giving us all kinds of old Hollywood glamour. Try wearing them with a satin midi dress.

Animal prints and high heels, equal pure sex appeal. These sky-scraping mules are everything you never knew you needed. Wear them with a clashing print or a neutral color. Either way, you’ll be turning heads for all the right reasons.

Basic black is never not chic, and these Zara heels are further evidence of this fashionable truth. Combining faux suede with a patent cap toe, this sculptural shoe will appeal to those of us who like our footwear with a little edge. Suffice it to say, you should wear these with all black everything.

A modern girl’s closet isn’t complete without a little white boot. This season, for reasons already stated, consider making it a mule. Bonus: the price tag on this TopShop entry makes investing in them pretty low risk. In fact, we’re betting they’ll become your new favorite wardrobe basic.

Our picks and more:

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