Whether you want minimalist or heritage, waterproof or suede, our menswear expert has rounded up the most stylish pairs for every occasion and outfit
• The best men’s coats for autumn and winter
I haven’t always worn boots. For years I wrote them off – at 5ft 8in, I was convinced anything above the ankle would make my legs look shorter. Then I started wearing them with the right trousers – a straight leg that falls over the top – and realised I’d spent a decade getting winter wrong. All anyone sees is a smart pair of shoes that happens to keep your ankles warm.
Here’s the thing: boots needn’t be intimidating. They’re just the wintry version of the leather shoes you already own. A chelsea is your loafer – it goes with pretty much everything in your wardrobe and every event in your diary, Christmas parties included. A derby boot is laced up, a bit sturdier and just as happy with jeans. The chukka is your weekend trainer. And the chunky, rubber-soled ones? Just think of them as an umbrella for your feet.