Women's Booties for 2012

Side buckles and 6" tall shafts make these booties actually high enough to be called ankle boots, but they still have enough of the "shoes" vibe that bootie fans adore, so I wanted to include them on this list. And when you get a load of what they look like, I'm guessing you won't care about such technicalities.

Available in black, chocolate or dark red, these booties would work well with everything from jeans or dress pants to maxi skirts and dresses, and, thanks to their 4" heels, they're not short on interest or sex appeal either. They'd be a great choice for anyone looking for versatile and sophisticated booties.

Over the last couple of years, the trend has been to pair booties with shorter skirts and dresses, which is fine, assuming it all comes together well. But don't forget that booties are a natural with jeans, especially when they're as casual and cute as these booties from Dolce Vita.

Playing perfectly into this season's covered wedge heel trend, these booties feature suede uppers, side buckles and 4" heels. Offered in taupe and black, these lookers have side zippers so they're easy to slip into.

Here's another pair of casual booties, and this style could be the poster child for one of the hottest boot trends for 2012: low-heeled and flat booties for women.

With streamlined suede uppers and side zippers, these stylish booties look stunning in black; relaxed in taupe; and eye-catching in leopard print. The 1.5" stacked heels are extremely wearable, but will still add a bit of height -- and they'll make your casual outfits feel just a touch dressier. Boots like these are ideal for wearing with skinny or boot-cut jeans.

If you're looking for something a little different and ultra-glamorous you may want to have a look at these wow-worthy booties from Giuseppe Zanotti. Featuring slim and sultry suede uppers with contrasting, suede covered heels, these sexy booties would be ideal for pairing with your favorite little cocktail dress, and thanks to their sculptured backs and underset stiletto heels, they're certain to turn heads.

Offered in a dynamic red and black combination, these dressy booties have 4" heels and .75" concealed platform soles. Alas, as I'm sure you can tell by the label and the picture, designer boots like these don't come cheap -- they're priced at $750 per pair. Fortunately for me, drooling over them didn't cost a dime.

Perfect for everything from jeans to simple little dresses, these classic women's booties feature 4" heels and .75" hidden platform soles. The design is classic enough that these booties could be worn for years, and they'd work with a variety of styles and outfits -- yet, these booties are anything but boring.

Available in beige, camel and red, these booties are one of my favorite styles on the list -- and, I'm happy to report that their price is fairly reasonable, at just under $120 per pair.

Booties aren't just for daytime anymore -- check out these glamorous, shimmery evening booties from Badgley Mischka. With 4.25" covered heels, open toes, and fabric uppers, these booties would certainly make an entrance if paired with a simple cocktail dress.

If you're looking for a pair of simple booties, these Jessica Simpson heels would be tough to beat for sex appeal or versatility. And despite the fact that they play nicely with this season's top trends, their style is simple enough to see you through several seasons of wear.

I'm crazy about the black version of these booties, because their uppers combine suede and smooth leather, but the brown version is every bit as dynamic with their combination reptile-textured and leather uppers. With 4.5" heels and 1" hidden platform soles, these booties would work well with a variety of outfits, including skinny jeans, and shorter skirts and dresses.

And if all of the above booties are just a wee bit too pedestrian for you, then allow me to introduce you to the 'Strut' from ZiGi Girl. With enough funky styling to keep even the most eccentric among us happy, these open-toed booties have cool, split-front vamps and 4" wedge heels. But, for me, it's the wide ankle straps that really make these booties stand out in a crowd.

Offered in red, cinnamon, and leopard, these booties would add a heaping helping of personality to your favorite skirt or jeans.