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!

Oxford Shoes

***Sorry for the delay in postings team, I have been away at a conference in Birmingham this weekend. I am planning a post about what I wore...so watch this space!***

Today's piece is about, what I hope is a staple of all chaps wardrobes, the stout Oxford shoe.

A good pair of Oxfords are the workhorse of mens footwear. They are very versatile item, and need to be able to ensure a lot of punishment. For many, they will be the footwear of choice for the Monday to Friday grind. So if you are going to invest in a decent set of shoes, you'll not go too far wrong with black Oxfords.

Strictly speaking, all Oxfords should be black. They are the footware for town. Equally, Brogues should always be brown and should be confined to the Country Side. However, this blog is nothing if not flexible, and it would be hypocritical of me to impose this rule on others as I am guilty of blurring the line.

I was disappointed to find that I had to go to page 6 on the website to find these on the Debenhams website.

These are a very good choice if you can only stretch to one decent pair of shoes. As a rule, Debenhams tend to provide good value for money. At £145.00 you might wince a little, but here's some selling points;
The are leather soled
They have a padded heel for comfort
The softer leather will be easy to polish
The stitched detail is subtle but keeps the style clear
The upper stiching around the laces gives the shoes a modern edge
The lines of the design are generally quite pleasing.

I have two drawbacks, however. Firstly I can see the back of the heel getting worn and tired with constant use. All shoes get this to some extent but the shiny finish will make this more pronounced. Secondly, I don't like the laces. In my experience they come undone far too often. That being said, you can change these very easily.

All in all though, a good buy.

This next offering is from Clarks, which many of you will know form your childhood.

You might be windering if I have accidentally uploaded the same picture twice. Rest assured, they are different...honesy.
For a start, the price. These are £84.99 which is a good chunk less than the Debenhams pair. These are made for comfort and durability, not style. They are wider fitting which some men need. The soles are rubber, not leather. These will give you more grip, but will deprive you of that satisfying 'clip-clop' noise when you walk. I like to cal that the PWA, or Purposeful Walk of Authority.
The laces are done in the traditional pattern which I prefer too.

The reviews on the site are extremely good, and I would recommended these for those of you wanting a good general purpose shoe, but who aren't that bothered about looking slick.


The younger readers here, who might not need a durable office shoe might want to look at these from River Island

These are a curious hybrid of Oxford and Brouge. In fact the pointed toe would look at home on a pair of Derby's shoes!
As you would expect from River Island, the ephasis is on style rather than quality. Even a brief glance at these tells you as such. The sole is thin, the stiching weak and loose, and the sole might actually be glued to the rest of the shoe. I can't see the sole, but I imagine it's a thin rubber/plastic resin.

This is reflected in the price. These are only £50.00. They will serve you well if you are going to a bar or club, or maybe for a meal now and then. They are certainly not a shoes for day to day wear on the job.
In their defence, you could just as easily wear them with a suit or jeans.


I hope these had given you a useful starting point. They say a decent outfit starts with the shoes. I certainly heard worse advice...

Happy shopping chumrades!