A contemporary update to a non-binary classic.

While the autumn trend reports continues to put the spotlight on boots of all heights year after year, our style experts are thinking outside of the box this time around. We’ve identified the season’s underdog and true wardrobe hero as the Oxford. We're falling head over heels for fresh updates of this style for their elevated, fashion-forward aesthetics—big time. The Oxford is the perfect blend of comfort and class, taking you from your morning all-hands meeting to glass-clinking at happy hour. Coming from Italian master of shoe design Thierry Rabotin, the Gate is available exclusively at Hanig’s Footwear for $490. The silhouette is a funky go-with-everything shoe with the undeniable ability to elevate your style—both literally and figuratively.

Taking cues from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Thierry Rabotin’s Gate is created in black with an upper designed in a combination of polished leather and supple suede for a modern juxtaposition of textures. Waxed laces and curvy paneling seen around the heel add another dimension for visual impact. Inside, signature nappa leather lining the sidewalls and a lightly padded footbed combine for comfort and wearability. A rounded toe box ensures your toes have ample room to splay out naturally. What we love most about the Gate is located underfoot. Pushing the boundaries of a traditional Oxford, the shoe flaunts a thick platform and a chunky heel that give the silhouette a lift and brings it up to modern style codes. A grooved tread pattern underneath it all provides stability.

The Thierry Rabotin Gate can be worn with or without socks and adapted to myriad aesthetics ranging from casual or dressy. The styling options that come with a pair of Oxfords are truly endless, and you can take them just about anywhere. Mix masculine classics with feminine touches to ace a presentation at work. Opt for wool crepe pants cropped slightly at the ankle, patterned socks for a pop of color, and a button-down dress shirt that has a tie-neck. Limit jewelry to keep your look reigned in. Head to Sunday brunch in distressed skinny jeans and a relaxed T-shirt. A structured leather satchel bag tied at the handle with a silk, printed scarf polishes up the ensemble and make its age-appropriate. For a simple stroll around the town, we recommend a breezy shirt dress. A tie belt and crossbody shoulder bag finishes things off.

Get ready for the fall season and beyond with Hanig’s Footwear shoes. Find Thierry Rabotin’s Gate platform Oxford and our entire collection of the Italian designer’s women’s boots, pumps, and flats at two conveniently located stores in the Chicagoland area. Visit us at the Plaza del Lago shopping center in Wilmette or in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue and Delaware Place. Shop online at www.hanigs.com, and receive complimentary UPS ground shipping when you place an order of $99.90 or more today.