Why dress boots?

[strop]

At least two of the current threads have shown some pics of very nice dress boots in both the lace up style and chukka style. I can't recall seeing anyone wear dress boots(lace up) since my grandfather did in the 1960's. My father had a chukka style pair about then as well and IIRC they zipped up the side.

I realize you can't tell unless someone is sitting, but I tend to pay attention to this stuff, as I always look to see if they are shined! Although I live in a small town now, I lived in a major metropolitan area, albeit midwest for over 25 years. Is this a style that is more prevalent on the coasts?

For those of you that have them, why do you like them? More comfortable? More support? Some other advantage? If it truly is a YMMV thing that's cool. I'm trying to decide if I can see myself in a pair or not.

 

[little Big feather]

I think it's just "the style"....I wore a buckle chukka from '68-'78 or about because I liked them.I now have a pair of Allen Edmond's Bayfield boots and
Ralph Lauren's Jodphur boots because I like them..It seems that you will see more in the future. I also have two pairs of Chukka/dessert boots too.

 

[demaro]

I prefer wearing boots for dressy occasions. I wear cowboy boots and black or grey jeans to work . If I am wearing dress pants , I wear the ankle high dress boots with the zipper up the side. I find them to be much more comfortable than shoes , especially on the back of my ankles.. I own several pairs of each..

 

[cb91710]

Not seeing it here in California.
Even the kids aren't wearing Doc's as much... they're back into Vans/Sketchers and other expensive copies of Converse All-Stars.

 

[john parker]

I think the boot style has been around for a very long time, a horse-people/country look to some extent. Certainly in England. Be it jodphurs or stable boots or dress boots for country wear. And chukka boots as well; been wearing them myself since the late 50s. I think that from time-to-time the people wearing them are suddenly "noticed", and it becomes fashion news to an extent.

 

[Rivguy]

I have worn dress and casual boots for many years and I find them to be very comfortable. I only have one pair now but I have been looking at some of the AE latest offerings.

Regards,

Doug

 

[Tim_McD]

I have two pair of the AE Bayfield boots and they are my "go to" during inclement weather. I wear dress shoes every working day and on those days where the rain is heavy or the snow is falling I switch over to the dress boots.

Just easier than wearing a pair of boots to commute and then switching over to shoes (although I do keep a pair of black balmoral wingtips in the desk drawer at work)

 

[ReAndyMator]

I wear boots all the time (unless I'm at the gym). Either a pair of German assault boots, or an old pair (1960s) German army jackboots.

They both polish up nicely, they're both surprisingly comfortable (Everyone assumes the jackboots must be uncomfortable, but they're really not, as long as I remember to wear two pairs of socks - a thin pair and a thick pair - the leather is solid and just doesn't flex, so it's easy to get blisters without the right preparation).

Obviously, the only ones with laces are the assault boots, but they're really comfortable (I regularly walk 15 miles a day in them, and wear them from 06:30 to around 18:00), and give me the ankle support that I need. Basically I wear them as I like something smart (they shine up well), comfortable (I'm on my feet for most of the day), waterproof (both pairs are, even the 50ish year old ones) and with plenty of ankle support. Oh, and something heavy enough that that when I kick one of our production lines, it gets the percussive maintenance I was aiming to give it.

And the jackboots are great when I want to be intimidating in a full length black duster coat, black boots, jeans, shirt and hat (yes, a slightly sad late 30s goth....)

 

[professorchaos]

I simply like the style. They feel great to wear.

As for what the kids are doing ... a man reaches a point in life where he wants to dress with style and a certain measure of elegance. After that point, what the kids are doing becomes irrelevant.

 

[strop]

I simply like the style. They feel great to wear.

As for what the kids are doing ... a man reaches a point in life where he wants to dress with style and a certain measure of elegance. After that point, what the kids are doing becomes irrelevant.

My sentiments exactly. I have worn J&M shoes for the last 15 years, and Florsheim before that (my father was a Florsheim man). Had not seen the lace up dress boots until now. I'll have to check Nordstrom's for sales. Not sure I've enough working years left to wear them out, but I can't let that stop me!

 

[Cuttingboard]

These are my first pair of dress boots. I wear dress shoes every day and I bought them to wear with flannel pants or suit during inclement weather, hence the rubber sole. Also, country gentleman look with heavy wools and tweeds have become popular again.



Here's another pair that I really like but I'm unsure where to find them.

 

[strop]

These are my first pair of dress boots. I wear dress shoes every day and I bought them to wear with flannel pants or suit during inclement weather, hence the rubber sole. Also, country gentleman look with heavy wools and tweeds have become popular again.

View attachment 274074

Here's another pair that I really like but I'm unsure where to find them.

View attachment 274078

The more I look at these the more I like them! Is the black pair by AE? I wear dress shoes every day, and those would be great for the inclement days!

 

[cb91710]

I simply like the style. They feel great to wear.

As for what the kids are doing ... a man reaches a point in life where he wants to dress with style and a certain measure of elegance. After that point, what the kids are doing becomes irrelevant.

My reference to "the kids" was simply a reference that it's getting more and more rare to see any boots at all in the Los Angeles area except on bikers, guys in contruction, and women.
10 years ago, "the kids" were wearing Doc Martens... but professional footwear still seemed to be primarily Oxfords. You'd see the occasional Wellington, but you'd also see a helmet near their desk.

Some of these boots posted look sharp. I really like them, and might have to look into something like that for winter wear.
My biggest problem is finding something in my size (I can wear a "B" comfortably, should wear an "A", but usually settle for an "okay" fit from a "C"), at an affordable price.

Curse my scrambled DNA. I am a complete clone of my father in all aspects... except I got mom's feet.

 

[Cuttingboard]

The black scotch grain are MTO (made to order) by Carmina as part of a group buy on style forum.

 

[cluelessdude]

Well some of you have mentioned you can wear them on wet days but aren't these shoes not supposed to be worn in such weather because of the leather upper and sole?

 

[Cuttingboard]

I wouldn't normally wear a leather sole in a downpour or snow but the black scotch grain has a rubber dainite sole. I have rubber overshoes (swims) for my leather sole shoes.

 

[little Big feather]

I think they are allot better than Dress Flipflops too....

 

[rushchairman]

ankle dress boots are a bit wonky unless you're really going all out, mod style. chukkas are still great with jeans/corduroys.

 

[cbird]

Before the 1920's dress boots were the norm. One advantage about them that I appreciate is that on long walks they prevent annoying little pebbles and other debris from getting inside of the shoe.

 

[strop]

The black scotch grain are MTO (made to order) by Carmina as part of a group buy on style forum.

I should have guessed! But I get in enought trouble on B&B without adding styleforum and the fedora lounge to the mix!