These are PS by Paul Smith Dove ankle boots
Boots are very elegant and sophisticated shoes, but they can also be casual shoes. Even Beau Brummel, the original dandy liked to wear boots and he knew what he was doing! Wearing the right boots can not only improve your look, but it can also have a positive impact on your attitude and posture. Having a good posture is essential, and one of the ways you can achieve that is wearing a good pair of boots.
In a recent article, we took a look at hiking boots, and in this article we will go through the different types of dress boots.
Boots can be very well worn with formal outfits as well as with casual ones. In this article we will be focusing on describing the main styles boots come in, but there are a few basic guidelines you can follow when it comes to matching your boots to your outfits which we can mention.
For example, remember that the first rule when it comes to shoes and dress outfits is that they need to be an exact match to your belt in terms of color. Secondly, and this is specific for boots, the boots you wear should be right for the weather in which you will be wearing them. While average weather conditions go with pretty much any type of boots, if you need to go through snow or rain, opt for a good pair of distressed boots. Because distressed boots are more beat-up, they can face bad weather conditions better. Moreover, distressed boots go great with rugged fall suits in terms of texture, as their textures match very well fabrics such as tweed.
Today, boots come in all shapes and sizes and there is a boot analog for every type of dress shoes, today you have cap-toe boots, wingtips, split-toe boots and so on. But what makes a boot – a boot, is not necessarily the design it features on the lower part, but the overall shape of the shoe.
Therefore, the main types are:
Chukka boots
Also called desert boots or turf boots, chukka boots are ankle-length boots that have two or three pairs of eyelets. Chukka boots are generally made from calfskin or suede. The word “chukka” comes from the game of polo, where a “chukka” defines a period of play.
Chukka boots look great with casual clothes, they have a chill vibe and you can even wear them with a pair of pants that features a shorter hem. Speaking of pants, chukka boots go great with jeans and in terms of tops, there’s not much you can’t wear with a pair of chukka boots.
Chukka boots are not only very formal boots. For example, if you opt for a more colorful pair such as a blue pair of Wolverine 1883 boots you can both add a pop of color to an outfit and benefit from the aesthetic advantages of chukka boots.
For a more relaxed look, you can even wear a pair of boots that feature a print, such as these Mark McNairy New Amsterdam boots which feature a fantastic print. Such a print is very versatile, since it can be considered both a neutral and a busy print, it really depends on what you pair it with.
Chelsea boots
Chelsea boots, also known by the names jodhpur boots, paddock boots or dealer boots are ankle-high, close-fitting boots. These riding boots defined footwear in the 1960s and are defined by the elastic side panel and by the tab of fabric placed on the back of the boot. These features enable the wearer to easily slip his boots on and off. Even though the design of these boots dates back to the Victorian era (they were designed by J. Sparkes-Hall, who was the queen’s shoemaker) when they were worn by both men and women, today these boots are mostly associated with the 1960s mod scene, which was a time when they were very popular in Great Britain.
Today, in Australia, there is a style called “Australian work boots”, which is a variation of the classic Chelsea boot.
To channel your inner Beatle, you can wear boots such as the Wolverine 1000 Mile Montague boots. They feature a simple and clear design and are highly versatile. You can wear these when walking your dog or even with a semi-formal suit.
If you want a small variation from the classic Chelsea boots, you can opt for a pair that features a zipper instead an elastic panel, but we would generally advise you to go for a classic pair.
Lace up boots
Lace-up boots come in all shapes and sizes, but what makes them different is that they are generally higher than other styles. Also, in the case of lace-up boots, the laces are very obvious and are a big part of the boots’ design. Chukka boots also have laces, but in their case, the laces are not one of the main elements of design. Lace-up boots can go as high as your knees and you need to be very careful with what you wear them. Depending on the lines and the fabric, lace-up boots can be more casual and
For example, these Rag & Bone Officer lace up boots give out a military vibe, as their sturdy design and rough material give an impression of strength and energy. Of course, these boots should not be worn with any dress pants, but they go well with casual pants.
Of course, there are other types of boots out there, such as cowboy boots, which fall right between the formal and the utilitarian categories. In the end, it is really up to you to decide which type of boots reflect your personality best and what design matches your outfits and daily looks.
So, regardless of if you wish to wear your only in the cold season or if you are a guy who wears them all-year-round (we love that), a good pair of boots is a fashion staple you should own and make the best of it!
Fraquoh and Franchomme
P.S. Do you like wearing dress boots? Which style do you prefer? Share your thoughts or feedback in the comments below and don’t forget that you can subscribe to our site via e-mail or follow us on our Facebook or Twitter!
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