It may have startled me a little at first, but Walter Steiger’s curved, bent heel just gets better every time I look at it. Especially in the form of this modified bootie, one with the comfort and ease of an open back. And the freed-up heel is not all for the sake of sensibility. Clearly, an exposed back possesses a certain sensuality that a full boot does not.

From the front, you’ve got basic coverage with a platform that softens the angle and a buckle that punctuates the look. From the side, you’ve got real intrigue. The contoured heel is a second focal point that makes this fab all-around bootie so much more than meets the immediate eye. The Steiger woman is intelligently sexy; you’ve got to look closely to let these elements really register, and the payoff is well worth it. It’s now official: this season, it’s all about the functional boot with features that excite. At Barneys New York for $1,210.

Pair with: A shaggy faux-fur chubby with extra-cropped sleeves is the right counterpart to a revealing ankle boot. DKNY’s off-white jacket will heat things up as the temperature cools down. On Net-a-Porter for $295.