Thanks To Claudia Winkleman, Lug-Sole Boots Are Trending – Shop The Best (Including Her Favourites) Here
There’s no boot more practical than the lug boot.
@BBC/Studio Lambert, Instagram/@freyakillin, @felicitymbird
The Traitors might be everything we love about juicy reality TV (it has the fallouts, the eccentrics, the stellar host), but its true brilliance, without a doubt, lies in its costumes and outfits. I’m referring to Claudia Winkleman’s countryside-chic looks, of course, which have somewhat had some competition this year, à la Jonathan Ross. One thing that remains a constant in Winkleman’s wardrobe, no matter what season or episode you watch, is her favourite pair of Bottega Veneta lug-sole ankle boots.
You might’ve noticed that this year the classic lug boot has been pushed aside for a season in favour of knee-high and suede styles, but practicality will always trend, and that’s proven by Winkleman herself. Often spotted slipping on a pair of lug boots before heading outside on a mission, Winkleman embodies the kind of off-duty look us countryside folk can only aspire to. Lug-sole boots managed to define two completely different eras, the Tumblr era and 2019. The chunky style stomped its way through streetstyle, but, now, as the new season of The Celebrity Traitors has returned, so too has Winkleman’s Bottega Veneta boots.
©BBC/Studio Lambert
But, rewinding a couple of years before Winkleman and her merry band of Faithfuls and Traitors turned lug-sole boots into TV gold, the trend (as with most things), can be tracked back to the runways. In autumn/winter ’19, Bottega Veneta sent models down the runway in sleek black coats and matching trousers, finishing the monochrome look with a thick-soled pair of lug-sole boots – the same pair Winkleman wears to this day. The same year Prada’s Monolith boots, those gloriously chunky, pocket-strapped stompers, were declared a fashion editor favourite, and were spotted on the likes of Bella Hadid and Sarah Paulson.
©Getty Images/WWD
You don’t need the Bottega Veneta pair to join the lug-sole boot club, either. The good news is that the high street is doing what it often does best, and has plenty of alternative options available. H&M’s black patent Chunky Chelsea Boots are an excellent example, and feature elasticated gores on the sides and a classic loop back. There’s also always Dr Martens, where its Corran Chelsea Atlas Leather Heeled Boots prove the brand still has the knack for designing on-trend and good quality boots (this pair are also currently in the sale).
Although you might not be planning to walk across a swaying bridge or stand on a life-sized chessboard in a The Celebrity Traitors-inspired mission anytime soon, a pair of lug-sole boots is an essential that’s always good to have in your wardrobe. Practical, polished, and perfect for pairing with a pair of straight-leg jeans or kilt skirt, there’s never been a better time to invest in a lug-sole boot. And, while the Tumblr aesthetic might never come back, thankfully, the chunky lug-sole boot has.
Shop: The Best Lug-Sole Boots 2025
Worn by Claudia Winkleman
MyTheresaH&MDr MartensWhistlesM&S
Price: £68
GanniRussell & Bromley
Price: £295
HarrodsAsosArket
Main image credit: BBC/Studio Lambert, Instagram/@freyakillin, @felicitymbird
Gemma Lavers is a fashion commerce writer at Grazia, where she tracks down viral pieces and is as comfortable navigating the M&S new-in page as she is dissecting the latest celebrity look. When not writing, shopping or at Reformer Pilates (a cliché but she’s hooked), Gemma will likely be planning her next holiday (and what she’s going to wear). For a glimpse into said travels, outfit inspo and life as a journalist, follow her on Instagram or TikTok.
