Chelsea Boots

Following a chat with a dapper friend of mine, I've decided to focus on Chelsea Boots for this blog post.

Like three-piece suits and Peter Andre, the Chelsea Boot keeps forcing its way back onto the scene after long periods as the preserve of the die-hard and the professionally quirky.

The fundamental shape and look of a Chelsea Boot is pretty standard and recognizable, but the come in a few subtle varieties that gives them a versatility many types of boots can't give you.

To kick us off (pardon the pun) is this from the good folks at Debehams

 This is the standard Chelsea Boot. You probably recognize them now.
The simplicity of the boots is part of its appeal. No laces, no buckles, just slip it on and away you go.

Most Chelsea Boots are leather and will have a corse but flexible panel on the flanks to give a bit of supplness for the ankels.
These are currently on sale for £112.59 which is pretty good. The stiching looks solid and the flap (which is key to putting the boot on looks sturdy too. The leather sole will leach a bit of warmth out, but the are perfect for the High Street and a night out.

For those with a little less to spend, Mr Shoe has these

As you can see, the have a buckle above the ankle which sets them apart from other Chelsea Boots.
There is also a zip on the inner side (which I don't really like but does make putting them on easier)
These are on offer for £49.99, but beware, there's a reason....
The sole is glued to the shoe, not stitched. They aren't leather, but rather some synthetic substitute which scuffs and flakes off.
If you don't plan on wearing them often, then I guess they are alright, but I would advise against buying them.

Third up we have these from John Lewis

I really like these.
The wing-tip style is a bit bold for some, but I think it works.
If you feel racey, you could even put them with a suit and wear them to the office. The leather is good quality and they are currently going for £90.00 which is excellent value.
The sole is textured rather than leather, so you get a bit of grip too. My one reservation about them is that they may take some breaking in, but that's a small issue for what is otherwise a real treat.

Last up today is another pair from John Lewis

I reeeeaaallly like these
The red panel at the side is nice enough, but the stiching at the side and below the panel reminds me of a glass of red wine. As you would expect from Kurt Geiger, the leather is divine. The pointed toe isn't to everybody's taste, but I think its a boon.
They are going for £110.00 which is very tempting. I might wait and see if they are in the January sales...


Good luck and good hunting!

Knitwear and Sweaters

You'll have no doubt noticed the change in the window displays on your local High Street. Gone are the shorts and t-shirts (and those stupid narrow brimmed hats) and in are rugged manly man items for days out in the park with your dog.

Following on from my last post on winter jackets, you could do a lot worse than treating yourself to a reasonably priced new jumper this season.

Below are few treats you might fancy checking out.
This first offering is from Bank Fashion which as you know isn't my favourite shop.

On the face of it, its a pretty unremarkable garment. The colour is pretty safe, the pattern is subtle and the lengths are pretty conservative. However there in lies it's beauty.
You can wear this with jeans, chinos and maybe even a pair of trousers with a pink or light bue shirt underneath. Pop a tweed or houndstooth jacket over the top and you've got a belting little Sunday afternoon pub lunch outfit.
It's a really rich and thick material, but cut loosey enough to prevent it being suffocatingly warm when worn inside.
It's currently going for £32.00 which isn't bad at all. Oh, and the brand is called Nanny State which made me laugh too.

Second out today is this jumper from Next

I don't very often go into Next as it tends to be a bit dearer than other places on the High Street, and at £42.00 they are continuing the trend. However I'll give Next some credit; they are excelent at Autumn/Winter wear.
The cable roll neck jumper isn't to everybody's taste, and the model on the link looks like a tool as well which doesn't help matters! I rather like this though. It's a classic pattern and the armpits are cut high so you can use your arms without the whole thing riding up and exposing your midrift.
The roll neck will keep the cold away from your neck which is always a boon. As you would expect from Next it's very sumptuous material and feels exquisite to wear. The elasticated cuffs add to the snug feel of it too.

My favourite find this week was this gem from River Island

Shawl neck is a happy half way house between roll neck and round neck. It's more commonly seen on cardigans but this a cracking example of it too.
The button on the right hand side gives the jumper a bit of focus, which is good as the colour is nothing to write home about.
The cut of the neck is fairly loose so you could even wear it over your shirt and tie on the way to the office. However it is best worn with jeans and a proper pair of boots. Although this isn't quite as versatile as the first jumper, it has a decent range and you just know you wife or girlfriend will 'borrow' it so you'll earn yourself some brownie points there too.
It's going for £30.00 which makes it the cheapest of the three today, and in my opinion, the best.

Happy shopping!