Treading the line between smart and casual, these suede shoes are a wardrobe essential. Here’s how to style them this season.

It happened. Winter crept up on us again. One minute we’re frantically fanning ourselves in the office, trying to survive London’s September heatwave, and the next we’re refusing to take our beanies off for fear of frostbite. Winter is not without its charms, though: the holidays, cosy nights in (yes, we’re all about this hygge fad), and of course, a new wardrobe – shoes included. And this season, that means a pair of desert boots. Inspired by the rough suede boots with crepe soles worn by army officers based in Cairo during WWII, the desert boot – brought to the masses by Clarks in the 1950s – has since symbolised everything from teddy-boy pomp and 1960s flamboyance, to 21st-century cool. Designed to handle anything you can throw at them, here’s how we suggest you style your desert boots this season – with a little help from the below pair of suede chukka boots from trusty Italian brand Tod’s.

**TOD’S **Suede Chukka Boots

If ever there was a shoe that could walk the smart-casual divide, it’s the desert boot. Its timeless, understated design means that it can be worked easily into almost any look, and adding a pair of desert boots to a smart outfit is a great way to take the formal edge off. The chocolate brown tone will pair particularly well with a classic navy blazer and some smart green trousers, but make sure to unbutton the shirt to ensure you look sophisticated but not severe. Choose a belt in a matching brown tone to finish it all off.

While the desert boot can tone down more formal outfits, it’s also a great way to sharpen up more casual ones. A T-shirt and jeans combo is a fail-safe accompaniment, and turning up the cuffs on your denim is a great way to break up darker colours. Starting to feel the winter chill? The warm, autumnal tone of this chunky Massimo Alba knit goes nicely with the brown colour of the boots – as does this Ermenegildo Zegna scarf.

As proven in the above two looks, desert boots will help ground your look whatever the occasion, without looking like you’ve made too much effort. Stay smart but distinctly relaxed by wearing them with a navy bomber (as you might have guessed, navy goes pretty well with brown) and light brown corduroy trousers – an outfit that can just as easily work in a cocktail bar or pub as it can in a restaurant.