Chelsea boots that reach over the ankle are equally popular with young and old and both sexes. Not only do they save you the hassle of tying laces, they also look wonderfully casual. What’s more, there are now numerous variations of these popular ankle boots. One of the biggest advantages of Chelsea ankle boots is that they adapt to virtually any fashion.
You can recognize a Chelsea boot by the typical stretch inserts on both sides of the ankle. The stretchy elastic inserts make them easier to put on. They then ensure a good fit. One thing you don’t want to happen is for the ankle boot to make a popping noise when you walk because the heel can’t find a grip in the shoe. The fit is crucial with these ankle boots.
But where did this classic shoe get its name and who invented it? What has ensured that this type of shoe has survived to this day and even enjoys cult status? We explore these questions here.
History and origin of Chelsea boots
Chelsea boots, which end above the ankle, were originally developed as men’s shoes. Although there are now also unisex, children’s and women’s models in countless variations, colors and types of leather, one classic feature of the Chelsea boot has always remained the same: the stretchy elastic inserts on both sides of the ankle. To make it easier to put on, all Chelsea ankle boots have a pull-on loop sewn into the inside at the back of the ankle boot. Sometimes there are even pull-on loops at the front and back.
The British man J. S. Hall is considered the inventor of the Chelsea ankle boot. Hall was one of Queen Victoria’s court shoemakers in the Chelsea district of London. The first models of these ankle boots were produced around 1830. We do not know whether Queen Victoria herself ever wore a Chelsea boot. However, it is generally accepted that the name “Chelsea boot” does not indicate the place of manufacture at the time.
Rather, the uncomplicated ankle boot established itself due to its popularity among artists from Chelsea and Fulham. The then unofficial name of Chelsea boot has stuck to this day. The Chelsea boot was not born to enjoy cult status and become an incredibly successful shoe model. Most shoe fashions of the time can only be seen in museums today. The Chelsea boot, on the other hand, survived almost unchanged for two centuries.
The time of the Beatles shaped the cult status
At the end of the 1950s and 1960s, the cult status of Chelsea boots was unrecognizable. While Chelsea ankle boots were initially only worn by the elegant gentlemen of British high society, they inspired a whole generation of young people in the Beatles era. At this time, the practical ankle boots were renamed “Beatle boots”. This was also an unofficial name devised by fans of these ankle boots.
The four members of the Beatles actually wore these ankle boots back then – in a version that was very pointed at the front. But they were not alone in this. In Great Britain, many young men of the Beat generation wore Chelsea ankle boots at the time. Later, these typically British boots were also worn by the hippies at the Woodstock festival. With the help of the Beatles, the Chelsea ankle boot had long since established itself as a cult shoe in the industrialized countries of Europe and America.
Interesting aspects of the design
Despite all the variations of this classic shoe that exist today, there are actually only two different boot models. However, this subtle difference will only be noticed by the connoisseur. Model one has a seam in the leather just a few centimetres long below the elasticated rubber band inserts, which extends to the sole. Model two is produced without this short seam. From a shoemaker’s point of view, this inconspicuous seam offers convincing advantages.
On the one hand, manufacturers can use smaller pieces of leather for the upper construction. On the other hand, some of the material waste that occurs with variant two is eliminated. Not having to use a large piece of leather for a shoe upper that consists of a single piece of leather is ultimately reflected in the purchase price. Connoisseurs buy Chelsea boots without seams – preferably in the welted style. This stands for first-class manufacturing quality. A perfect fit is important for this boot.
As the heel would not find a firm hold in the shoe without the usual lacing, the shoe leather is milled before processing. This makes it a little more flexible and allows it to be better adapted to the shape of the foot. The finished boots should not come loose from the heel with every step, but should sit firmly on the heel when walking. The women’s version of the Chelsea ankle boot is produced in a similar way to the men’s version, except that the heels can be slightly higher and a slightly narrower women’s last is used.
The fact is that the women’s models feature more imaginative variations such as colored stretch inserts or brightly dyed leather, while the look of the men’s models remains based on the classic predecessors of Chelsea ankle boots. For men, black and brown leather types still dominate today. However, the Crickit Chelsea boot – often incorrectly referred to as the “Cricket Chelsea boot” – proves that fashionable sophistication can also score points with men.
The Hamburg-based supplier Crickit sells upbeat Chelsea ankle boots with striped rubber band inserts, dyed leather or stretch inserts with a red heart. Real cricket shoes differ from so-called “cricket boots” because they are special low-top sports shoes for cricket. A “cricket Chelsea boot” is therefore not available to buy. On the cricket field, a mid-height cricket Chelsea boot that cannot be laced up would not serve any player well.
Different variations and styles of Chelsea boots
Our Chelsea ankle boots do not show the full range of what is possible. All of our ankle boots have a robust trekking sole with a tread pattern. Only three men’s models do without this and are equipped with a lighter sole. The Crickit or Cricket boots are much more versatile. They are more representative of today’s model diversity than our Chelsea boot range. In addition to black, light brown and dark brown leather, women’s models are available in every trendy leather color. Fashionable design ideas also provide variety with the elastic band inserts.
In addition to the classic black, you can also find brown, light gray, pink, green, blue or red as well as striped elastic inserts among the Crickit or Cricket boots. Whether the sole of a Chelsea boot is thick and heavily profiled, medium-thick and less profiled or smooth varies. The classic height of the heel varies, as does the height of the ankle boot. This can be normal, but can also be developed into a knee-high Chelsea boot with correspondingly long stretch inserts. There is also a slightly higher Chelsea boot version, which is lined with lambskin and has two pull-on loops.
The toe of Chelsea ankle boots can be rounded, angular in the style of a Western ankle boot or pointed like in the Beatles era. All variations can be found on the market today. It is also possible for a pointed Chelsea boot to have a long seam on the front up to the upper edge. It is not clear whether this is to be seen as a decorative seam or whether it provides a production-related advantage by saving on offcuts. In addition to smooth leather boots, Chelsea ankle boots can also be found in many nubuck variants.
Styling tips and combination options for every occasion
What has made the Chelsea boot an it-piece and a shoe classic is its classic design. Many people find them timeless. Above all, however, the wearer of these ankle boots can slip them on without having to tie the laces. Nowadays, the Chelsea boot can be seen on managers in business suits as well as on men and women of all ages who prefer casual clothing. This ankle boot adapts to any look and is always fashionably up to date.
Somewhere it was written that the Chelsea boot only goes with pants. However, this is a long outdated view. The assertion that a Chelsea boot should only be worn with pants no longer even applies to the men’s world.
The Chelsea boot is not just a trouser shoe
You only have to flick through the relevant fashion magazines or look at what some men’s models wear on the catwalk to be convinced otherwise. It is true that a Chelsea boot goes perfectly with suit pants, chinos, corduroy pants, cargo pants or jeans. However, such pants are also worn by women. If you want to draw attention to perfect styling and a good figure, combine these ankle boots with slim-fit legwear. The Chelsea boot is not always recognizable as such under suit trousers. In this case, that is what you want.
If you want to show off your ankle boots to the full and show them off fashionably, roll up your pants a little. However, a suit wearer cannot afford to do this. Although a strict dress code does not prohibit Chelsea boots, it does prohibit socks and the like from showing. In business life, rolled-up pants would be a blatant breach of the dress code. Unbreakable and unambiguous rules apply here. Anyone who breaks these rules is guaranteed not to make a career in their chosen profession.
What do the ladies combine the Chelsea boot with?
Ladies have long since discovered that the Chelsea boot can easily be worn with a skirt or shorts. They are then combined with colorful vests and socks, which can sometimes be thicker and slightly longer than the ankle boot. Basically, this classic ankle boot adapts wonderfully to any fashion style. The outfit can easily be styled in a classic, strict, hippie, colorful or British-cool style without the Chelsea boot looking out of place. On the contrary: it often completes the look.
Those who want to look particularly cool and are fashionably daring can make use of the individual ankle boot models, such as those from “Crickit” or the “Cricket Chelsea Boot”. In the office, women like to wear Chelsea boots in the cold season with thick woolen socks, which may protrude over the edge of the ankle boot. In terms of color, it’s better to stay subtle to elegant in the office. Trouser suits, twinsets and suits in classic colors always look appropriate. The extent to which a Chelsea ankle boot matches varies.
There are clearly more imaginative combination options for the cult ankle boot in the leisure sector. Whether Chelsea ankle boots with a suede look are more popular with women than classic smooth leather boots is unclear. Presumably many women have a use for both. Chelsea ankle boots combine ideally with clothing that follows a casual-cool to elegant British style.
British chic goes perfectly with the Chelsea boot
The Chelsea boot would look harmonious with corduroy pants and a tweed jacket or a Barbour jacket with a lambswool sweater. Chelsea boots look out of place with elegant evening wear. In this context, the casual ankle boots look like an unsuccessful break in style. The same effect would be created if someone were to wear chunky UGG boots with elegant evening wear. Even if fashionable style breaks are sometimes fun, they look out of place in this context. From everyone else’s point of view, the wearers are lacking in taste and style.
However, if breaks in style are skillfully presented, they are permissible. For example, wearing Chelsea ankle boots with a dress is a skillful break in style. In itself a fashion no-go. But in this case, fashionable opposites attract. This is especially true for hippie or boho-style dresses. A slightly rougher ankle boot looks good with these. They create an interesting contrast that looks harmonious. The daring but successful combination embodies fashionable sensitivity, fashion expertise and street credibility.
A good dressing rule is to match the color of the ankle boots to the rest of the look. A leather jacket completes the look. Chelsea ankle boots also look great with a warm knitted dress or a shirt dress.
See and be seen: Setting the scene with Chelsea boots
One of the essential styling rules for the Chelsea boot is that it wants to be noticed. In this respect, it agrees with a richly decorated cowboy boot. A Chelsea boot that nobody recognizes as such is best worn under a business suit.
Maxi dresses are therefore out of the question. Mini and midi lengths and tight-fitting or slightly rolled-up pants are appropriate. Tartan tops, chunky knit sweaters with an Aran pattern plus a leather jacket, duffle coats or open trench coats look particularly good with these. In winter, beanies and Barbour scarves with tartan can add British charm. The basic rule is: tight skirts with Chelsea boots are worn with wide blouses or oversized sweaters, while swinging skirts are worn with a tight-fitting blouse.
If you want to look a little more fashionably rock, wear a scuffed leather jacket in the same color as the boots. When it comes to pants, there are only two trouser styles that don’t go well with Chelsea ankle boots: bootcut jeans with a wide bottom and very wide-cut palazzo trousers. These two focus the eye too much on themselves.
That’s why the Chelsea boot is visually lost. To define your own style, discover the Chelsea boot collection in our store now – a classic that never goes out of fashion!
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