THERE isn't much to look forward to in the cold wintry months, as days get darker and shorter. Luckily, checking out the season's newest trends brings a little sunshine to everyone's lives - and one of the best things is getting your feet into a new pair of boots.

There are lots of new styles to step out in, from slouchy knee-high boots to flat comfortable ones, and plenty of colours to suit everyone.

So, as the winter sets in, here's a look at the prettiest boots around.

Black and tan are back with a twist. Mixed with metallics, it's not as sombre as you might expect.

A pair of well-made black boots will serve as an investment for the future, as they're timeless and can be worn anytime and anywhere.

Pied A Terre's black leather knee-high boots at House of Fraser, £225, and J by Jasper Conran's Robin pointy-toed boots, £125, at Debenhams, are a real indulgence, but worth every penny.

Affordable options include Evans' black boots with stitching detail, £80, and River Island's black boots, £84.99.

Tan is always a great alternative to black. Detail is key, so Next's brogue round-toed tan long boots, £89.99, have pretty chunky stitching while Office's Shanty boots in dark tan leather have three buckles on the side, £99.99.

Go sexy with Miss Selfridge's tan over-the-knee boots, £80, or opt for comfort with Topshop's brown leather flat knee high boots, £90.

Take inspiration from the Victorian era and pick a pair of lace-up boots.

Round-toes are also making a comeback, a big relief for those who constantly scuff their pointy toes. It's not all about stilettos either, as flats and wedges act as alternatives to the highest heel.

Black boots never go out of fashion and will take you from day to night, so take a look at Marks & Spencer's black lace-up front boots, £75, Kit black lace-up high leg boots, £65, at Abound, or Principles black leather lace-up boots, £79.

Schuh's Mona lace-up knee boots, £79.99 at Viva La Diva, come with a little twist as they're pointy-toed and have a stiletto heel.

Office's big eyelet knee boots in black waxy leather - also available in brown and port, £89.99, Clarks' mocha brown leather lace-up boots, £64.99, and Viva La Diva's brown boots, £75, are ideal if you fancy a change from the usual matte black.

Had enough of black and brown? Then, it's time to be adventurous and explore the other colours winter has to offer.

Sexy shades you won't be able to get enough of include berry tones, dull metallics like pewter, plus teal greens and blues.

Berry colours add warmth to outfits, so check out Principles' plum suede knee-length boots, £90, Marks & Spencer's berry wedge strap boots, £69, and Esprit's grape suede knee boots, £89.95, from John Lewis.

White looks cosy, so get that feeling with River Island's cream boots, £89.99, and Ravel's kitten-heeled version with fold-over cuff, £80.

Update your boots wardrobe with green - another hot colour - with Dune's Firework green stacked heel boots, £100, and Carvela's teal suede cone heel boots, £95, from John Lewis.

And if you're into metallic, take a look at Marks and Spencer's pewter boots, £69, or Dorothy Perkins' slouchy pewter boots, £40.

Embellishment and embroidery aren't as popular as they were last season, and have been replaced by luxury material.

Brocade, suede and faux fur look and feel sumptuous and strokeable - and are perfect for getting the winter look. Simply add a tassel or two and diamante for extra bling!

Faith has three gorgeous boots to show off - Minder round-toe studded slouch over-knee boots, £100, Mazzle diamante jewelled flower detail knee high boots, £80, and Mitten round-toe paisley print boots, £80, will ensure the spotlight's on your footwear.

Look cute in Oasis' Lisa suede boots with stacked heel and swinging tassels, £85, and add a touch of vintage with Office's Laura knee boots in floral brocade, £79.99.

Combine comfort with style with Shellys' embellished flat boots, £80, and for extra winter warmth, choose boots with a fake fur trim, maybe even decorated with pom-poms.

Try Littlewoods' Sassy fur-trim boots, £39, Bronx fur-trim tie boots with pom-poms, £80 from Kays Lifestyle, or Brantano's Ski Bunny snowflake quilted wedge boots, £40.

Icy wind will take its toll on your skin

AS we reluctantly welcome the onslaught of winter, it's not just our emotions that are affected by the change of weather.

The winter wind can take its toll on complexions, leaving them parched and dry. As the temperature drops you'll notice lips crack more easily and certain areas on your face, particularly the sides of your nose and cheeks, will become flakier.

Add central heating to the equation and it's no wonder that skin becomes irritated.

"As temperatures cool across the UK, the air gets drier and as a consequence, so does your skin," explains Biore's Frank Lin.

"Dehydrated skin can look dull and lacklustre, and for some, the change in temperature and humidity can even trigger the sebum glands to compensate by secreting excess oil, leading to clogged pores."

But keeping a glowing complexion needs more work than just moisturiser - you should exfoliate regularly, and may need to change your cleansing regime.

"Cleanse with a gentle cleanser and toner before bed to allow fresh skin to breathe," says skincare expert Caroline Fraser.

A soft touch

NOTHING feels better than the softness of cashmere on your skin, particularly when it's freezing outside. Gap's new cashmere knitwear is perfect for livening up cold-weather wardrobes, as it comes in vivid hues of bright pink, red and skater blue, as well as wintery tones of black, grey and purple. Prices start at £55 - so start dropping those Christmas hints now.

Bargain jeans

NEXT time you pop into Tesco for your weekly grocery shop, make sure you check out Cherokee's newly relaunched denim range. With more cuts and 16 styles to choose from, including the popular drainpipe jeans, you can be sure that you're getting value for money. Priced from £10, they come from sizes 8 to 26.