THE JOURNAL
Just as countries have national cuisines, sports or pastimes, it can be argued that they have national clothing brands, too. The American way of life is summed up by Ralph Lauren or Levi Strauss, while the glamour of France can be expressed through the sharp tailoring and couture of CELINE HOMME, SAINT LAURENT and Chanel. As for Australia? Well, that’s R.M. Williams’ territory.
Founded in 1932 by Mr Reginald Murray Willams in Adelaide, South Australia, R.M. Williams takes inspiration from the spectacular scenery and unforgiving conditions of the Australian outback to create boots that are as hard-wearing as they are good-looking. The brand’s most popular product, the Craftsman leather Chelsea boot, is a bona-fide Aussie icon, as much a part of the national identity as Vegemite or the Sydney Opera House.
What sets R.M. Williams apart as an Australian heritage brand is how it has grown into something that feels properly contemporary and luxurious while remaining faithful to its rugged outback origins, and its boots remain the purest expression of that duality.
Yes, they’re built to withstand the challenges of rural life, and yes, you could happily wear a pair while trekking into the great unknown, but they’ll just as easily slot into your everyday rotation in the city, too. Case in point is the exclusive suede Comfort Craftsman, produced just for us at MR PORTER. Available in four earthy hues, the boots are constructed from a single piece of suede, with elasticated panels that make them a perfect slip on/slip off weekend boot. It was this design that a young Reginald Murray Williams dreamed up while camping in the foothills of the Flinders Ranges, and it has stayed true to that vision ever since. But, while these durable and versatile boots were born in the outback, their sleek silhouette and distinctive chisel-shaped toe means they will go just as well with a pair of chinos as with your scruffiest jeans.
Between the Craftsman, and the sturdier, more utilitarian styling of the brand’s other leading style, the Gardener, you’re covered for everything from Sundays spent on the allotment to evenings out on the town.
This spirit of adaptability doesn’t stop with the timeless design of the boots, either; it’s embedded in the brand’s ethos and approach to sustainable manufacturing. Even after some 90 years in business, every single pair of R.M.Williams boots is still crafted by hand in Adelaide, South Australia, just a stone’s throw from the eponymous founder’s original workshop. Passing through many pairs of hands and multitudes of artisanal processes, each boot comes with a personal promise of quality. Indeed, fans of the brand have been known to wear their boots for decades, reconnecting with the brand every few years for a resole and refresh of their beloved leather companions before taking them out on the road again, ready for the next adventure. If you’re looking for cost-per-wear, that’s a product lifespan that we can get behind.
