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Style Guide: Mens Boots

03/09/2015

As the weather gets cold, we’re all sure to be pulling our boots out from the back of the wardrobe. Boots are a must have piece these days, but there are so many different styles out there, it’s hard to know which type to choose. Below, we take a look at the different styles available, how they can be worn and a little history behind each of them.

The Chelsea Boot

Known for its close fit, ankle height and no laces, the chelsea boots has become increasingly popular in men’s fashion. This style incorporates an elastic panel known as goring which allows the shoe to stretch to a comfortable size. This is a key feature of chelsea boots as it makes putting them on and taking them off easier – none of the struggle you may find with lace up boots! The Chelsea boot style came onto the fashion scene in the early 60’s. They became extremely popular when The Beatles were seen wearing them on several occasions. Since then, they have stuck around in men’s fashion, and don’t look to be going anywhere soon!

How to wear them?

What makes Chelsea boots so popular is their versatility. They can be worn both formally and casually, but always offer a very elegant look. Most commonly Chelsea boots are worn with either slim or straight leg jeans, coupled with a shirt or t-shirt. This is a very casual but very effective look, as seen styled perfectly on celeb fashion icons like David Beckham. The Chelsea boots’ clean cut and leather shine complement formal outfits well. With this formal approach, they can be worn with either a full suit or trousers and a shirt – both lend themselves to a very sophisticated look!

The Military (Worker/Combat) Boot

The worker, military or combat boot is a fashion staple for both men and women. Originally designed for use in the military (of course), these boots have found a new genre of fans in the fashion world. No longer solely used for comfort and durability, these boots have a rising upper, and lots of lace eyelets which give them a vintage style. With a slightly higher body than the chukka, combat boots cut a slim silhouette. They can be made out of leather or canvas, and are often enhanced with features such as buckles, zips and studs.

How to wear them?

Naturally, the military boot lends itself to skinny jeans, tees and jackets. Nothing fancy – just a laid back, casual look. Our favourite way to dress them is to style a dark brown pair of military boots with dark denim skinny jeans, a plain white t-shirt and a leather jacket. These boots can be worn as smart-casual wear also, but it’s important to ensure you have a less vintage looking pair in these situations. Brand masters of this style include Doc Martens, Timberland and Caterpillar.

The Chukka (Desert) Boot

The term Chukka is originally derived from the sport Polo. There are a few differences between Chukka boots and other boots. This style only ever reaches the ankle, and has only a few lace eyelets, which makes getting them on and off easy. The thin sole allows them to be very light and comfortable for all situations, from work to play. The Chukka boot was originally worn by british army units in India as a comfortable stylish alternative to their usual army gear. When the Chukka boot found its way to the West in the 1940’s it instantly became a fashion must-have. This style’s alternative name, the desert boot, comes from Clarks Original Desert Boot created in the 1950’s.

How to wear them?

The modern day Chukka boot has broken the barrier between business and leisure. It’s all rounded nature fits into both categories perfectly. The thin sole allows a comfortable fit for day to day activities, whilst its suede material gives it an empowering stylish look. The modern way of wearing these is with slim fit jeans or chinos, a shirt, lightweight jumper and a jacket. This gives a professional look, but at the same time can easily become a well-dressed casual outfit.

The Hiking Boot

Hiking boots are well known for their durability and rigid structure. Most wouldn’t think about fashion when they think about hiking boots, but with a few contemporary tweaks, they have become a fashion staple. You can tell that these boots were initially meant for hiking with its well gripped sole and hardened toe to help prevent any unwanted slips and damage. Plus they provide support for the ankle without restricting movement. The hiking shoe really began to get noticed around the 1970’s due to the high level of interest in hiking, soon after mountain climbing was officially announced as a sport. It later on changed into the multipurpose footwear we see today. This style can easily get confused with the work boot, but one distinguishing difference is the large supporting heel on the work boot.

How to wear them?

Even though the Hiker boot is a multipurpose boot it still can’t be worn in certain situations – wearing hiking boots with a suit is a definite no-no! The hiking boot is best suited for outdoors activities, given its technical nature, but it can also be styled as casual wear. Certain brands such as Timberland and Caterpillar have taken the hiking boot and carved out its place in the fashion world. Pair with jeans and a t-shirt and you can’t go wrong.

We have a great range of men's boots available at MandM. From leather styles from Onfire to classic Caterpillar styles, we’ve got it all, including worker boots, fashion boots and hiking boots. Whatever you need, we’ve got you covered. Check out our range today – with up to 65% less than RRP you might be surprised what you can get for your money!

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