THE JOURNAL
3 MINUTE READ
Five Good Reasons To Wear Desert Boots This Winter
Words by Colin Crummy
17 November 2020
The desert boot walks the line between smart and casual with some ease. Inspired by boots worn by soldiers in Cairo during WWII and brought to the mainstream by Clarks in the 1950s, the style has been the preferred footwear of fashionable subcultures from Parisian student protesters to British seaside mods ever since. Outside of its the rich and varied history, the desert boot has endured because of its timeless, understated design. It’s an extremely relaxed shoe – supple, crinkly and matte – that will lift any laid-back look without being too formal about it. With a sturdy functionality married to effortless style, these are ideal boots for chillier weather. And what do you know, winter’s on our doorstep. So, here are five pairs of desert boots to see out the season in.
01.
The directional desert boot
We say the desert boot is a laid-back kind of shoe and then we give you these black pair from cult Japanese label visvim, where the attention to detail suggests a desert boot, in design at least, is anything but languid. From the tasselled laces to moccasin-inspired silhouette, this is handmade footwear with some amount of flair.
02.
The leather-trimmed pair
You want a further illustration that the desert boot is not resting on its laurels? Here it is, in these pair from Mr P., our in-house label. Made from soft brown suede with strong rubber soles, it’s the contrasting leather trims on the side of these Jacques desert shoes that really sets them apart, making them a reassuringly sturdy option for the winter months ahead.
03.
The smart-casual shoe
Desert boots have the robust functionality you’d expect of footwear with a military background. But the style and finish – such as these dark-brown suede boots from Italian luxury powerhouse Canali – softens the package, making them the ideal smart casual foundation. Try with chinos and a tweed blazer to achieve true sprezzatura.
04.
The suede boots
Originally built for comfort, desert boots were made to be worn for long stretches of time and Tod’s has gone the extra mile on that front. These brown desert boots from the iconic shoe brand have a specialist construction to ensure they’ll adapt to the shape of your foot with wear, making for the most comfortable fit possible. All you have to do is walk in them. Easy-peasy.
05.
The cashmere-lined boots
Designed for long days on your feet, these tan boots from luxury maestro Loro Piana are smart enough for the office, should we venture there any time soon. The outside looks the business, crafted in Italy from soft suede, and with a water-repellent, stain-resistant finish. And inside, the soft cashmere lining makes for a super comfortable experience, wherever you’re doing business.
