Boots are one of the oldest and most protective types of footwear worn by men. They are designed for the cold weather, to provide you with the needed warmth and protection from the cold ground. Boots are an essential autumn/winter piece of footwear, keeping your feet dry and comfy all the time. And while western and lace-up boots are a necessary piece of footwear for men, so are Chelsea boots.
What Are Chelsea Boots?
These boots certainly are one of the most versatile types of men’s boots and they allow for being worn on both formal and semi-formal occasions. They are extremely simple and yet stylish so without a doubt can be said that extra comfy men’s Chelsea boots are timeless and stylish footwear items. Generally made from leather, these boots date back to the Victorian times and were primarily worn by Queen Victoria. They were created with comfort and easy use in mind by her cobbler Sparks Hall.
Why Is It Called a Chelsea Boot?
Even though in the beginning they were known as Paddock boots, eventually they obtained the name Chelsea boots. It is believed that the name is associated with the affluent neighbourhood of Chelsea, London. And since during that time this area was the one where there were many artistic and cultural activities, these boots also became associated with the great fashionista Mary Quant.
Aside from being worn by the queen and fashionistas, they were also worn by The Beatles and Andy Warhol which was one of the many reasons for their rise in popularity. As you can assume by now, these boots are popular among both men and women, however, it seems that they are more dominant in the men’s fashion world.
Characteristics
Elastic Sides
Well, one of the many things that made these boots one-of-kind and favoured by many even the queen was their ability to be put on and take off with ease, and all this is thanks to its elastic sides. In fact, it; ‘s the elastic sides that make these boots easily recognisable and the best thing of all is that they also allow for a snug fit even though there are no lace or zippers on them.
Pull Tabs
Generally speaking, this model of men’s boots has two pull tabs or two loops at the front and the back of the upper leather for a firmer grip. This is of great importance and help when sliding your foot in as it is difficult to use a shoe horn to put them on. Keep in mind that it is possible to find them with pull tabs only at the back of the upper.
Quality Material
Quite often, these boots are made from genuine leather and rubber soles which contributes to their quality, durability and longevity. Not to mention that the use of premium quality leather and rubber soles can also add to their impressive appearance and ability to make your outfit pop up even more. The use of quality materials is also good for helping the boots withstand the challenging weather without compromising your safety and comfort.
Regarding the upper material, aside from being made from smooth leather, they can also be made from suede and nubuck. Just keep in mind that these two are better for being worn under dry weather conditions as water can damage the leather and deform it.
Sturdy Sole
As mentioned above, usually, the soles of these boots are made from sturdy material like rubber to withstand a lot of wear. The robust construction of these soles also contributes to the boots being slip-resistant and able to withstand different weather conditions. This goes mainly for being worn under wet weather conditions.
How to Style Them By Colour?
These versatile and stylish boots are perfect to be worn with everything from trousers and jeans to suits. The only thing you should consider though is to pair them depending on their colour properly.
Brown
One of the most preferred colours for men’s Chelsea boots is brown for sure. There’s something in this colour that makes things more appealing, warm and stylish, even when compared to the all-time-favourite black colour. For those times when going on some formal events, you can pair your brown Queen Elizabeth boots with suits in medium and lighter tones. Ideally, you should pair it with blue, navy, cream, ivory and lighter brown colours. You can also match it with a charcoal suit/pants combination. Casual pants like chinos and corduroys, as well as straight-leg jeans, are perfect for achieving a more relaxed look.
Black
Black boots of this kind a more common to be worn in more formal occasions like formal events, luxury weddings and of course – white-collar office attire. They certainly aren’t to be paired with more casual and relaxed combinations, except if pants and dress shirt combo matched with a navy blazer for achieving a more business-casual look.
Burgundy
This colour certainly is among the most appealing and eye-catching, especially when worn in autumn. Burgundy falls between black and brown colour and it is said that boots in this colour can instantly elevate your casual attire while adding a dash of elegance and sophistication to your formal looks.
