Sunday
Jan182009
The Chelsea Boot
Posted on 
January 18, 2009 by Ryan Willms
January 18, 2009 by Ryan Willms 
To start it off, I have never liked the Chelsea boot. The look, the elastic sides and no laces have never been appealing features. I have had one friend talking about them for the last couple years so I have always kind of wondered if I was missing something. Could I be misunderstanding the allure of the boot? Why do I hate it, and yet I see some very well put together people wearing them? Maybe because I have been more drawn to the military look, maybe I just really like laces (I've never had any slip on Vans or anything either). I'm not sure. There is something about this boot that definitely does look really nice, especially with this model by Common Projects, so if there are other Chelsea boot fans out there, now is your chance to speak up and defend your boot. Why is this boot better then a boot with laces?
Tags : Chelsea Boot, Common Projects
Chelsea Boot, Common Projects 
Reader Comments (15)
I completely agree with Paul (that was a very well composed and insightful comment). I think the Chelsea boot is in this weird lingo between casual and formal. it's too casual to wear with a suit but too formal to wear with jeans or chinos. My dad wears them a lot... which is pretty much the reason I've never got a pair.
I'll start by saying that slip-on Vans are as heinous as you suggest. The elastic is just about the most hateable part of the chelsea boot concept. I have a chelsea style boot that zips up the side and have found the appeal to be in the "smooth" factor that seems somewhat impossible with laces. While I have no doubt that a great pair of Aldens or military boots cannot be outdone for a fit with a little more character, the chelsea is a boot that offers a little more toned down elegance.
At the same time, I think I would only wear a chelsea boot with a wooden sole either in black or a light reddish brown.
My good friend Joseph, who is one of the most knowledgeable people I know when it comes to men's fashion swears by Church's... They're still handmade and one of the best you can buy...
http://www.herringshoes.co.uk/product-info.php?selectedColourID=21&brandID=4&catID=6&shoeID=8&selectedSizeID=0&selectedFitID=0
I too have never owned any slip ons ! I just find them too bland and feminine.
I wear a slightly different version of the chelsea boot almost everyday (it's my #1 choice for f/w footwear). It was originally a decision between a chelsea or a combat boot and after much deliberation the chelsea boot won. I have to disagree with "Joy Division" since you CAN rock chelsea's with jeans as I do everyday, they are also more versatile than combat's or laced boots (you can dress them up or down unlike laced boots). Chelsea's also look killer with skinnier denim/fit. They also seem a little more grown up to me. I do however prefer the side zip as opposed to elastic although it's not bad at all.
The flat (instead of curved) elastic bottom on those Common Projects feels off to me (as does their stamp, which really doesn't work on their dressier offerings IMO).
Have never bought a pair of chelsea's, but if I was going to those Church's linked upthread would be a good place to start.
Also i gotta say as much as i love the CP product number on the back of there sneakers i think it looks out of place and even a little tacky on there formal shoes - Im sure many will disagree but its just my opinion as an Englishman LOL
completely agree w/ AZ on the product numbers. it has become as blatant a way to brand as anything else out there.
yezzir vans slip ons are whack, I keep them laces on my shoes loose, and they remind me of my Dad too, on a building site.
Blundstone's.
Google them.
never did like the chelsea boot. something about ankle high boots on men that doesn't seem right.
Thought about getting some from Blundstone or Johnston & Murphy. Thought about it for a looong time. Then while on a trip to Philly I saw several pair "in action" and I mentally took them off my "must get" list. Laces, for sure.
I have a pair of Camper chelseas. Honestly, sometimes I love them, sometimes I wonder what the hell I'm wearing. I do find them pretty versatile. I'll agree with Florian that there is something about the smooth aesthetic but sometimes that is what actually turns me off about them. Ultimately I think the draw of the lack of laces is more about feel and / or fit. The leather just seems to be accomodating in a way that doesn't happen with laced boots.
I've been wearing Chelsea boots for over 35 years. They are versatile, adaptable, hard wearing (2+years of daily wear), comfortable and you don't waste time doing up bloody laces which inevitably wear thin and snap.
James Bond and his creator Ian Fleming preferred a chelsea boot. I love the look of them because of the aforementioned cross between casual and dressy. The most casual I ever get is black dress pants and a dress shirt. I despise laces and find them annoying.