mfad•15mo ago

What kind of style and silhouette does a Chelsea boot produce?

I've been looking for a pair of R.M Williams Chelsea boots to add to my shoe collection. I've read here and there that they are a bit outdated though, so I was considering if I should get another kind of shoe.

To help me decide, I'd like to know what kind of style usually involves Chelsea boots? And also, what do the Chelsea boots do to the silhouette of the outfit? Thanks!

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:27 AM

It really depends on the chelsea boot and its silhuette. Like these two are technically both chelsea boots:

6_585_Leather-Lined-Classic_Boardwalk---Original-4017377836.jpg

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:28 AM

obviously they do vastly different things

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:29 AM

I think the reason why chelsea boots are often considered outdated is similar to the reason why desert boots are considered outdated these days

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:30 AM

Oftentimes they occupy that rather strange twilight area between dressy and casual and are kinda neither here or there.

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:31 AM

Anyway, circling back to your question: It really depends on the specific model of chelsea.

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:34 AM

(so pics of the model in question would help)

MahadiOP•10/13/24, 10:35 AM

Thanks for your input. I meant primarily the silhoutte of RM Williams Chelseas such as the gardener and comfort craftsman models.

MahadiOP•10/13/24, 10:36 AM

Though I prefer the slimmer comfort craftsman. The way I wear my Chelsea is that the pants fall over the shoes, which might not be the common way to wear Chelseas

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:37 AM

Nah, thats quite the common way to wear them I think

Yakkeks•10/13/24, 10:39 AM

Basically a slim chelsea boot like the comfort craftsman with the pants over the boot will look very similar to a dress shoe but without the lacing details. That lends itself to a very minimalist look but also might look a bit bland.

MahadiOP•10/13/24, 10:51 AM

hmm I see thanks for the insight! I like to wear straight fit non-cropped pants mostly. Still figuring out my style a bit as I've mostly worn OCBDs before, but now Ive been wearing more sweaters and oversized clothes. I have a pair of chunky white sneakers that are of a streetware vibe, and a pair of leather boat shoes. I was thinking of adding a pair of black shoes to my wardrobe to have more fit options. With that info, do you think you could recommend a certain type of shoe?

I've been thinking about loafers, but they might be too similar to the boat shoes. I've also been thinking about a pair of boots, like those from Red Wing