Chelsea
boots began life in the equestrian world and were called jodhpur or paddock
boots. The unique boots shot to stardom in the swinging sixties and were a favourite
with mods AND rockers. The Chelsea boot has an ankle high profile, which can
really make an impression. They are also very sturdy, and a pair with rubber
soles will cope well with the hardships of winter. What sets the Chelsea boot
apart from other ankle high footwear is the elasticated gusset, which allows
the wearer to slip the footwear on and off with ease.
Chelsea brown boots are
synonymous with rock ‘n’ roll. To get Rolling Stones style match your Chelsea
boots with a plain t-shirt, slim fit chinos and a pair of sunglasses. To create
the heritage, or country look, wear suede Chelsea boots with a pair of moleskin
trousers, a checked tattersall shirt and a tweed jacket. You may even want to
throw on a woollen tie to smarten up the traditional look. For a more modern
style, wear as part of a smarter outfit. Because of their smooth ankle hugging
shape, men’s Chelsea boots fit well with suit trousers. Black Chelsea boots are
the safest option with a suit as they’re a formal colour, and the gusset colour
contrast is less obvious.
Like any
outfit, it is important that you think about colour. Tan or Chelsea brown boots are very popular, but avoid
wearing them with black or charcoal outfits.
An overly pointy Chelsea boot, or boots with toe cap patterning should
be worn with caution, as they can detract too much from the rest of an outfit.
In Australia
many wear Chelsea boots for work. But if you prefer lace up options then a
chunky work boot is a great choice, and is proving popular this Autumn. Desert
boots are similar to Chelsea boots in style and also stop at the ankle. Often
available in suede, they have just a few eyelets giving them a simple and clean
look. Boots aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so if you want a shoe with similar
styling, then a country brogue is a great option. They will give you the same
heritage without restricting your ankles. Chelsea boots are a great option for
work and play. They’ve come a long way since they were considered riding boots.
And though us mortals wear them, in myriad ways, Mick Jagger, the Beatles and
the whole mod scene will always be the kings of Chelsea.