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| Muffy Aldrich in her Chelsea Boots |
Chelsea boots are slim-fitting ankle boots with elastic side panels for easy pulling on and off instead of relying on buttons, zippers, or laces. They often have loops of fabric on top for added convenience. Variations can be casual or formal, for men or women, for indoor and out, and all seasons. Many will have a few pairs for different purposes.
It was one of Queen Victoria’s bootmakers, Joseph Sparkes Hall, who invented the design for her in 1837 for walking and riding. However their name came later, from the designs' popularity in the Chelsea area of London during the 1950s and 1960s.
Practical, flattering, equestrian-inspired, and clean, the right Chelsea boots can handle quite a wide range of situations.
Photo credits: Muffy Aldrich
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| Some of Ours |
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| Sleek by design, Chelsea boots were originally designed to not get stuck in stirrups. |
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| Versatile and Androgynous |
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| Rounded Toes and Low Heel |
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| Some have sturdy soles. |
Surprisingly, the Australian Army issues boots like that, in black. Their issue brand is R.M. Williams, with Baxter as a private purchase alternative.
ReplyDeleteOne of my uncles wore a very similar shoe called a Romeo, which is pretty much the same, except lower.
I have loved and owned Chelsea boots since I was a teenager (and that's a long time ago). I currently have several pairs from R M Williams, Loake and Cheaney. For me the quintessential country footwear.
ReplyDeleteIf the regularity with which you wear a certain item is an indicator of its success then chelsea or jodphur boots are at the top of my list. Along with corduroy trousers, lambswool sweaters, cordings shirts and a quilted jacket they make up my cool weather uniform.
ReplyDeleteDid Barries sell Chelsea boots? I wonder. They were more purveyors of jodphur, Wellington, and lace up chukka boots. I seem to recall. The elastic look maybe
ReplyDeletefor Barries a bit chintzy.
You’re right. Side by side in a beauty contest a buckle beats elastic. Elastic is “chintzy.” But convenience reigns. C’est la vie. Easy on, easy off.
DeleteSaw the comments above - what is the difference between chelsea and jodphur? I have a pair of chelsea boots and they are great. But maybe they are jodphur as well? Thanks for any education you can give me.
ReplyDeleteYour jodphur boot is an ankle boot usually fixed with straps and a buckle. The straps typically wrap around the ankle. There is a handsome variation of an ankle boot that is fixed with what’s called a “monk strap.” These, alas, are rarely seen now. Did not Wellingtons used to refer to a mid-calf or thereabouts leather boot, with a blunt toe and a low heal? Now it seems the term is used almost exclusively for rubber muck about boots. Technically Chelsea boots and jodphurs are likely both members of the same family. They are the offspring of riding boots.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reply. Have a great week!
DeleteThank you. Salut !
DeleteSuperb in every respect! Thank you once again!
ReplyDeleteWhich bag is the one in the first photo?
ReplyDeleteThis prep has a little bit of a goth streak and the Doc Marten's Chelsea is cute and durable.
ReplyDelete