Chelsea Boots

[Cuttingboard]

Just bought a pair of Cole Haan Chelsea boots for the fall and winter and wanted to know whether you guys waterproof your winter shoes before wear? Also, I've seen guys wear these with jeans and they look sharp, what are your thoughts on wearing them with dress pants?

 

[Rossmeister]

Boots are just fine to ear with dress trousers if you polish them and make them shine. However, my own humble personal opinion is that the stretchy material on the side of some boots (like on yours) are too casual for dress wear. I would prefer full leather for dress use.

 

[plexibass]

Just bought a pair of Cole Haan Chelsea boots for the fall and winter and wanted to know whether you guys waterproof your winter shoes before wear? Also, I've seen guys wear these with jeans and they look sharp, what are your thoughts on wearing them with dress pants?

Just out of curiosity, where did you get them? I have 2 pair at the house but alsways looking for more. I like to where them when I play. For years I would wear them as my everyday shoe, as I am a huge Beatles fan.

 

[Cuttingboard]

I bought them on Bluefly.com...I have about 6 pair of Cole Haan shoes that I wear as everyday shoes. Cole Haan fits my feet very well and the Nike Air inserts make for a very comfortable shoe.

 

[ImaWestie]

I've just recieved a pair of RM Williams "Comfort Craftsmen" boots specifically to wear with "professional clothing" in an office environment.

There are a fair few varieties of RM Williams Chelsea-style boot, which vary in things like pointedness of toe etc. So long as they are the appropriate finish (which is to do with the leather not the style) they look great with dress pants.

RM Williams can be found at Boots Online.
They are designed to be a life-time purchase so they might seem a bit dear.

Nungar Trading are better value if you are in Australia though.

 

[Cuttingboard]

Nice boot Westie.

I'm wearing the Chelsea boots today and my pants are long enought to cover the elastic on the side of the boots. I'm pleased with the way they look.

 

[ImaWestie]

Thanks mate! Comfortable from the 1st day, but per the RM recommendation, I have been alternating them with my previous work shoe every 2nd day. They can be a little warm - mind you the summery temperaturs in Sydney right now aren't helping on that point.

sorry for the size of the pic in the thread. if someone wants to pm me how to do in-post resizing I'd appreciate it.

 

[SteveM]

I wouldn't waterproof them. Waterproofing sprays usually contain silicone, which will eventually dry the leather and cause it to crack. Or so i've been told.

Cream for polish, maybe an occasional rub w/ neatsfoot oil and your good to go. Wax the toe if you want to wear w/ buisness casual - for which I think they would be fine, though would prefer a leather sole.

Of course, it is critical to tree them and let them rest for a full day after wearing, perhaps longer if they have gotten wet.

 

[ImaWestie]

The problem with silicone spray is, you're only putting it on the outside - the leather will dry out through the inner surface. Other dressings (lanolin based, dubbin etc) applied to the outside fix that - but not if there's a layer of silicon.

If you know you're going through serious slush etc - use silicon type products, but then use saddle soap to clean that stuff off "every now and then" to apply dubbin followed by a shine-able polish.

Leather "tolerates" water - it's "water resistant", it isn't ever going to be "water proof".

 

[Sueto]

Picked up a pair of these today at the Cole Haan outlet. 50% through the weekend and I had the 20% additional off coupon that went out in the mail. Got a decent price on them. The footbed feels good for me uppers are a little stiff but I expect that from a new shoe.