Men's Chelsea Boots - Ultimate Buyers Guide to Chelsea Boots in India

The Chelsea boot is one of those beauties that ticks both boxes: they protect you from the elements and appear just as smart dressed up with a slim-fitting suit as they do team with a good pair of jeans. The only question mark we have over the Chelsea boot is why the name?

In 1837 Queen Victoria's bootmaker, Mr. J Sparkes-Hall, created a pair of ankle-height boots with elastic inserts on each side and no other fastenings, making them easy to pull on and take off. Mr Sparkes-Hall patented his invention in 1951, stating that, "She [Queen Victoria] walks in them daily and thus gives the strongest proof of the value she attaches to the invention." 

The boots subsequently became popular for horse riding, but it was not until the 1960s that they became a part of the male wardrobe, popularised initially by The Beatles and the vibrant London youth scene.

The boots, which had previously been known as jodhpur or paddock boots, likely became known as Chelsea boots after the fashionable area of London frequented by the suited and newly-booted mods. 

Today, Chelsea boots are a dependable men's footwear staple, and sometimes have zips in place of the elasticated sides. So there you have it.

Ultimate Buyers Guide to Buy Chelsea Boots in India

There are some factors to be kept in mind while purchasing men's Chelsea boots. Some of such factors are:

Not-so-tight fit: 

Chelsea boots are not meant to be a tight fit but a snug fit. They should look fit on the ankles and yet allow you space to move around. The elastics on the side are given to help you feel comfortable while stretching while walking. It is very much of an important factor, rather the most important factor to check the fittings of the boot. Purchase must be done according to one’s shoe size so that it is neither too tight to move around or neither too loose to be super conscious of the boot feeling uncomfortable. Too tight of a fit can lead to sore feet and too loose of a fit can feel like slipping out. Another factor to be kept in mind is that one needs to wear socks, so extreme tight ft on bare legs can make it very uncomfortable when socks will be worn.

Usage of the boots: 

Another important factor to be kept in mind is the usage of the boots. If the boots are to be paired with formal attire or causal or semi-formal dress code. If your usage would be rough, then select a material that would last for a long time with little care. In the case of once in a blue moon, choose the boots that would require care and can be looked after in the long run.

Selection of outfits: 

Chelsea boots can be paired with almost anything, but only the right boots fit a particular attire. In the case of formal occasions or work purposes, leather sounds the perfect match. Black leather boots can go with anything in general but to be more specific, the brown boots look more formal and smart. Semi-formal work occasions can also be attended in these leather boots. Other than the leather, suede or brogue boots can also be a very big yes to the semi-formal look. Casuals can be attended by pairing a pair of suede material boots. Though they are quite much more expensive than leather, they are a go-to boot for the casual dress codes. Even, on the other side, perforated patterns on the brogue boots can highlight the casual look and take the game to the next level.

Elastic sides: 

The main component that allows the feet to move around the boot easily is elastic. A sturdy elastic will not allow much movement while a loose elastic will pose threats of the boots slipping out. The quality of the elastic must be taken into consideration because elastics can loosen out fast, if proper care is not taken or if a standard quality is not chosen.

The material of the boots: 

The quality of the material used to make the boots must be checked upon. Regular use boots should be of good quality to prevent easy wear and tear. In the case of leather boots, one can select accordingly the maintenance and care instructions. The suede material is much more luxurious and is not a very good idea in case of bad weather conditions. They are prone to wear and tear easily and their care should not be taken very lightly.

Selecting the soles of the boot: Chelsea boots usually come with two types of soles- rubber and leather. Leather can give you more of a traditional look and is a good option in cases where the boots will be worn occasionally. While rubber soles are long-lasting. They are more resistant to wear and tear and all kinds of other damages. They are quite hardening and goof for regular wear. 

Tip: It is preferable to stay on the simple style of the Chelsea boots. The dressier the boots, the harder it is to style them. Chose something good that would go with your outfit keeping in mind the quality of the material used to make it- the soles, the sides, elastic and heels. In the case of leather and suede, be very particular about choosing them because they both are expensive and can be easily be replaced with some sort of duplicate materials.