Is 'claret' the new black?!

[KoalaDownUnder]

Okay, I know it's not. But I'm shopping for winter boots, and I quite like these. I'm looking for something flat, riding-style, casual but classy, in good-quality leather.

Are these stylish or boring? Could you wear them with any clothes you'd wear either black or brown boots with, IYSWIM?

www.countryroad.com.au/shop/woman/shoes/boots/beth-knee-high-boot-60171239-611

Winter

Bloody hell, that's as far away as it could possibly be.

I think of 'claret' like that awful 80's burgundy which I hated, can't get over it

Oh right, you're in Australia - ignore me

Yep, coming up to winter here!

I hate burgundy too, it is vile. Ooh, that's worried me now...

I quite like them, and I think they are weirdly neutral, in that you could wear them instead of black or brown and they'd look fine...where you couldn't swap black and brown - if that makes sense?

Dumpy, yay! that is my goal/hope.

I bought a few things in what they were calling 'merlot' last winter (not shoes though) with the idea that merlot would go with everything. It went with nothing :-( I don't wear brown. It didn't work with anything in my wardrobe.

Gorgeous boots! They don't look particularly red in the pic, have you seen them in the flesh?

I'd wear them easily, with black or navy jumper dresses and black opaques, or over dark blue skinnies, I think they would work exactly as you've said in terms of being easier than black (often a bit harsh) or brown (a bit wet). Go for it!

Ballroom, I haven't seen them in the fresh, no. Will try and sneak to the shops tomorrow. But that is exactly how I feel about brown vs black, especially in high boots. Black ones do seem harsh, and I even feel a bit 80s/90s goth in them (god knows why). And brown can look weird with black clothes.

burnished, that's the funny thing - I don't like clothes in Merlot/burgundy/forest green/cream kind of colours, either! I wear a lot of blacks and clear blues and white, so not entirely sure why I'm drawn to these...

Anybody else...anybody?

I've always loved red and wine-coloured shoes and boots. Go with black, grey, brown and navy and most other colours.