Cognac is a warm colour, so if you have a warm undertone it feels like coming home. If you’re cooler, don’t worry. Your boots are far away from your face, so the colour you wear near your face matters much more. Wear a top that flatters your colouring and let the boots do the rest.

6 colour pairings we love

1. Brown, tone-on-tone
Chocolate, camel, caramel and cognac together look like quiet luxury in its purest form. It’s especially beautiful if you’re a low-contrast type, because the soft transitions mirror your natural colouring. The trick is to vary the shades a little. Too much of exactly the same brown can look flat.

2. Khaki
Earthy and relaxed. A khaki trench or cargo trousers with cognac boots has an effortless, slightly utility feel. It’s perfect for weekends, and with a crisp shirt it’s just as perfect for the office.

3. Bordeaux
Deep, rich and so very autumn. Bordeaux and cognac are both warm, so they melt together. Try a bordeaux knit or a midi skirt for a look that feels grown-up and joyful at the same time.

4. Ecru
Our secret favourite. Ecru softens everything and makes the cognac glow. An ecru cable knit with a soft wide-leg trouser and cognac boots will brighten even a grey Antwerp afternoon.

5. Navy
This is where contrast comes in. Navy is cool, cognac is warm, and that tension is exactly what makes it work. It’s ideal if you have higher contrast in your natural colouring, or if you simply like a look with a bit more punch.

6. Denim
The classic that never fails. Straight jeans tucked in or worn over the boot, or a denim midi skirt. Denim and suede is the friendship of the season.

The texture tip: let suede be the star

Suede has a soft, matte, velvety surface. That’s exactly why it looks so good next to textures that are different from it:

• Chunky knits: cosy on cosy, but in two different ways
• Silk: the sheen of silk next to matte suede is pure magic
• Smooth leather: a leather bag or belt adds polish
• Denim and tweed: structure meets softness

And the one we’d skip? Suede on suede. A suede jacket, suede skirt and suede boots compete for attention. The surfaces are too similar, so the outfit loses depth and can quickly look like a costume. One suede star per outfit is plenty.