We are well aware of the fact that we're going to be hard-pressed to get you to wear anything but booties this winter. While we're long-time fans of the whole socks-and-sandals thing (it's not easy to say no to a pair of loafers, either), we know that boots are the cold-weather go-to for both styling and practicality purposes. By now, you've probably racked up a few different types: The trusty black ones, the bold lace-up option, a Chelsea boot, and maybe a metallic number or two. So why not come up with some fresh new ways to wear them?

The five outfits ahead are all comfortable and trend-forward, making the boots feel more like statement-makers than a wear everyday pick. And don't worry: We're not saying you can't wear them every day; what we are saying is that we can all get a little more creative with our styling this year (love you, jeans and sweaters, but we've gotta break out of that uniform sooner or later). Click on for some ways to do just that — we swear you'll never look at your booties the same way again.