Ready to wear: These shoes were made for walking

Loafers have dominated the flat footwear market over the past three years thanks to Patrick Cox. Now it's time to go back to that most conservative of shoe - the brogue. Karl Lagerfeld used brogues extensively in his autumn/winter collection, so you can bet that if the Kaiser has deemed them stylish, you'll be ditching your loafers this winter. They certainly looked mighty fine with his tapered trouser suits and long skirts, and what bliss to look stylish and be able to walk comfortably too. The brogue originally came from Scotland and Ireland and its little trademark perforated holes make shoe shining a pain. But you can wear them with just about anything, they can even look good with short skirts as long as you wear opaque or woolly tights. Use shoe stretchers - they take a minute to put in but they'll make your brogues last longer and look better as they help keep those 'creases' at bay. Although nearly every shoe store will do a version of a brogue, look for a stitched welt, a leather sole and lining and an arch support.

Top (left to right): ladies' brogue-detailed shoes with instep straps, pounds 99.50, Russell & Bromley, 24/25 New Bond Street, London W1 and branches nationwide, enquiries 0171 629 6903. Men's classic black brogues, pounds 199, Church's, 143 Brompton Road, London SW3 and branches nationwide, enquiries 01323 730 532. Ladies' brogue-detailed shoes with instep straps, pounds 32, Marks & Spencer, selected stores nationwide, enquiries 0171 935 4422. Men's brogue-style lace-ups, pounds 99, Cable & Co, 48 South Molton Street, London W1 and branches, enquiries 0171 629 9969.

Above (clockwise from top left): Ladies' chocolate leather brogue-detailed boots, from a selection from pounds 54.99, Ravel branches nationwide, enquiries and mail order 0171 631 0224. Ladies' tan suede classic brogues, pounds 130, Church's, 143 Brompton Road, London SW3 and branches nationwide, enquiries 01323 730 532. Men's tan leather classic brogues, pounds 135, Oliver Sweeney at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1, enquiries 0171 235 5000. Ladies' black patent brogue-style lace-ups, pounds 49.99, Ravel as before. Men's black brogues, pounds 38, Marks & Spencer as before. Ladies' classic black leather brogues, pounds 130, Church's as before. Ladies' cream/brown patent brogue-style lace-ups, pounds 49, Dolcis branches nationwide, enquiries 0171 493 9626. Men's brown/white brogues, pounds 135, Oliver Sweeney, as before.

Right: Men's brown/cream brogue boots, pounds 115, Cable & Co, 48 South Molton Street, London W1 and branches, enquiries 0171 629 9969.

Far right: Ladies' patent mock-croc brogues, pounds 72.99, Hobbs branches nationwide, enquiries 0171 586 5550. Men's cream brogues, pounds 160, Patrick Cox at The Library, 268 Brompton Road, London SW3, enquiries 0171 589 6569.