Introduction

Although here in the UK we are currently revelling in the last few weeks of summer, other places across the globe aren’t quite as fortunate. Many sartorially-inclined men in more northern territories are already facing up to the fact that they will need to break out the heavy duty knits, boots and overcoats in the very near future.

And with winter fast approaching, situations often arise that would not normally occur if you lived somewhere akin to California. With this in mind, one of our loyal readers was kind enough to highlight one particular issue that I’m sure many others will have experienced:

Hi FashionBeans, Since winter is coming soon, is there any way to wear boots with a suit? I live in Canada, where we get a lot of snow, slush, salt and cold weather. Alex

It’s an excellent question. Most stylish individuals know to invest in quality footwear, and after a couple of years will have curated a respectable collection. I’m thinking black Derbies, tan brogues, brown Oxfords and oxblood penny loafers for formal events, along with a handful of trainers and suede styles for more casual occasions.

And although they’ll probably never admit to it, they’ve also got a pair of really ugly Wellington/hiking boots that they have ready for when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

However, the trouble with ugly Wellington/hiking boots is that they really don’t look right when put next to formal pieces such as a suit, as Alex mentions. So how exactly do you marry together these seemingly polar opposites on the sartorial scale? Well, it’s not as difficult as you might think.

The Right Type Of Boot

Firstly, not all boots are created equal. For a few years now, brands and designers at every price point have been creating stylish winter boots in a more sleek and simplified silhouette.