Mules for Fall: How to Wear Them + Styles to Shop

These fall days are too warm for winter boots, but too cool for summer sandals. What's the answer? Mules, of course.

So, here's our guide on mules for fall, including what styles work and how to wear them fashionably.

What are mules?

Mules are slip-on, backless shoes. They can be flat or heeled, and they mimic clogs, loafers, or pumps. Available in comfortable leathers and other textiles replete with warm linings and other fun fall touches, mules with covered toes are totally wearable in the cooler months. They should step perfectly into your upgraded casual outfits.

In fact, if you need just one easy rule to follow, here it is: Slip into a mule this season when you'd otherwise don a ballet flat or sneaker. That hack can earn you an instant style upgrade.

How to wear them

A flat-soled mule is a versatile shoe. You can slip into this style with many styles of ankle pants, including jeans, trousers, and leggings. This shoe looks especially chic with frayed-hem, ankle-length denim.

Midi length skirts and dresses with narrower silhouettes are also fabulous options.

Depending on the exact shoe style you buy, wide-legged pants and maxi-length skirts and dresses may be less successful paired with flat-soled mules. The shoe may be too sleek for a billowy bottom, especially when the hemline is close to your foot.

A kitten heel is a dainty, low-height heel with a retro vibe. That makes them a fun choice for the office or dinner with your conservative in-laws.

To play up that retro element, use kitten-heeled mules as the anchor for these polished ensembles:

• Cropped, straight-leg pant, blazer, and tie-neck blouse

• Skinny pant with a tunic and light trench coat

• Sheath dress and neck scarf

• Knee-length, A-line skirt and soft knif top

You can wear this shoe casually, too. Pair them with cuffed jeans and a sweater for an upgraded take on street style.

Block-heeled mules have a bit more substance than flat and kitten-heeled mules. This makes them easier to pair with wider-leg bottoms. However, they do look amazing with a narrower pant, skirt, or dress and a hemline that hits no lower than your ankle.

A good rule of thumb is that you can wear block-heeled mules with the same clothes you'd wear ankle boots. Try them with a knee-length shirt dress or a modern suit in a color that contrasts with the shoe.

There are three general guidelines for styling clogs:

• Choose a bold bottom with a flared shape

• Accentuate your waist

• Show off your ankles