Tag / clarks desert boots

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Clarks Combi Desert Boots, New Olivers Apparel Pants & New Todd Snyder Denim

Clarks Desert Boots

Clarks Desert Boots in a spring-friendly color, available at UNCRATE right now.

Friday means one thing: Well, OK, a few things. It’s the start of an early spring weekend and the right time to close out the week, look towards some relaxation and of course, knock out some seasonal shopping and reading. In the spirit of quite literally stepping into the weekend, my first pick for you today can be seen above: The Clarks Combi Desert Boots are springtime distilled down into a pair of footwear, with comfort and a spring-friendly construction top of mind. This makes them the perfect pair of spring boots with which to lead off today’s post. Courtesy of UNCRATE’s New Arrivals — always worth keeping an eye on — this pair of Clarks desert boots features a helpful pop of color, a very agreeable price and all the classic Clarks comfort you could ever need. See, aren’t you feeling a bit more into the spirit of spring already?

Suffice to say, I sure do. And I’m feeling ever-so-slightly more optimistic heading into this weekend in particular, as the vaccine rollout kicks into higher gear and some of my favorite NYC beer bars announce their reopening plans with warmer weather on the way. Blustery spring weather is still on the horizon, of course and I’m still catching up from my recent trip to Florida (as seen on my Instagram). That being said, I’m hoping to breeze through my to-do list and get out for a Brooklyn weekend stroll. Speaking of: For your own weekend, consider subscribing to my menswear-music-craft beer newsletter, The Style Guide In Brief. It’s free, it comes out twice a week (including tomorrow!) and it’s a heck of a lot of fun (I think!). In the meantime, here are some other choice shopping picks and reading selections for your weekend. Cheers, friends!

Olivers Apparel Traverse Pants

Technical pants that look simply great for early spring and beyond.

Alex Mill menswear

A classic-yet-modern take on the Oxford shirt for spring.

ToddSnyder_SelvedgeJean_IndigoRinse

New denim from Todd Snyder? No problem at all.

That’s going to do it for the lion’s share of today’s Friday Read, but I’ll leave you with one more pick heading into the weekend. If you find yourself in need of a new #OOTD for spring weather, my guide on how to wear a field jacket is going to be just the ticket for standout, durable and functional style. If you do check out any of those selections, be sure to let me know on Twitter. Once again: Cheers!

by Beau H.

Online Shopping Picks: Best Suede Chukkas to Buy For Spring

Editor’s note: To learn more about great gear to buy for spring, click here.

Suede chukkas work in plenty more seasons than one. Read on for more details on the pair at left. Image courtesy of Huckberry.

Suede chukkas work in plenty more seasons than one. Read on for more details on the pair at left. Image courtesy of Huckberry.

As soon as the calendar really gets rolling into spring, there are certain items I’m anxious to shelve — and certain items that I’m ready to keep on wearing (or at least, wear more). One of those such items is the versatile suede chukka — it’s arguably a three-season shoe, well-suited to the colder temperatures of fall but providing some nice textural difference from shiny leather shoes during the sunnier days of spring and summer. When it gets snowy is when it’s tough to put ’em away — but now that those days are (hopefully) long gone, it’s time to break ’em out more. So that’s what we’re getting into here. The texture isn’t the only great thing about a suede chukka — the ankle cut of a classic chukka boot makes it the perfect go-between from, say, a lightweight, low-cut sneaker and a thicker winter boot — that means they’re ideal to style with everything from slim stone chinos to some rolled lightwash denim. They come in both casual and slightly more formal iterations, too. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Peep the full set of picks below, and let me know on Facebook if you think I missed any key brands.

Stay stylish!

#1. Thursday Boots Honey Suede Scout Chukka Boot — $149

Eye-catching honey suede from Thursday Boots makes this pair of chukkas a stunner.

Eye-catching honey suede from Thursday Boots makes this pair of chukkas a stunner.

Finding a well-made, reliable chukka (especially in a rich shade of honey suede) is a somewhat tricky endeavor, but Thursday Boots delivers again with its durable Scout Chukka. This writer has a pair of the Scout Chukkas in Chocolate Suede, and if the quality is anything like those, the Honey Suede version should hold up handsomely. The slightly higher-than-normal ankle cut is a continental touch, the studded rubber sole is tough on the ground yet comfortable on your feet, and in this instance, the honey suede is a colorful hue that’ll look great with slim white denim now and even better under dark raw denim come fall.

#2. J. Crew Classic MacAlister Boots in Stone — $148

J. Crew's take on the classic style.

J. Crew’s take on the classic style.

For Thursday Boots taking the cake with its $149 chukka, J. Crew’s MacAlister Boot in Stone comes in a close second — at a very slightly cheaper price (ha!). This is certainly the more casual of the two boots, as this number has all the makings of a traditional desert boot (different from a versatile leather chukka). That goes for the traditional crepe rubber sole and continues on through the raised contrast stitching between the sole and the upper. This boot is still made in Italy, and it should certainly pack in all the quality one would expect from a pair of J. Crew footwear.  For weekend brunches and coffee runs (or a casual Friday), this is your go-to boot.


#3. Clarks Desert Boot in Wolf Suede — $130

An iconic silhouette rendered in a unique suede.

An iconic silhouette rendered in a unique suede.

One would be remiss to talk about desert boots or chukkas and not give a look toward Clarks, the originator of the style (for the general public, at least). The Wolf Suede Desert Boot takes the iconic Clarks silhouette and does it up in a beige suede that should make these another reliable, casual footwear option for a ton of situations — be it a fall coffee date (paired perhaps with a shawl-collar cardigan and denim?) or a spring weekday with a slim polo and chinos. Plus, the price and quality are both very hard to top among like-minded brands.

#4. Oak Street Bootmakers Chocolate Suede Campus Chukka — $426

Perhaps the most premium pair of suede chukkas on the market, totally ready for anything.

Perhaps the most premium pair of suede chukkas on the market, totally ready for anything.

Think a darker suede can’t be worn in the warmer months? Think again, my friend. If you’re on the hunt for a pair of chukkas that are worth the investment and the styling potential, the Chocolate Suede Campus Chukka from Oak Street Bootmakers is the chukka for you. It’s crafted in America with beastly construction, from the Goodyear welt to the waterproof suede (really), and the oiled leather soles. The color is rich and beautiful, equally fit for pairing with slim tan chinos now and your toughest pair of dark denim later this year.

#5. Astorflex Greenflex Chukka in Stone — $145

One seriously stylish and sustainable pair of desert boots.

One seriously stylish and sustainable pair of desert boots.

For the last entry on this list, we turn to a boot that combines all the inspiration of the classic desert boot with some seriously eco-friendly construction (be warned that it’s only available in sizes 9-12 right now, though). Yes, Astorflex certainly knows what it’s doing when it comes to combining quality, style and sustainability. This pair is made in Italy, yet rings up (or rather, charges your card) for an incredibly low price. The memory foam footbed should be comfortable, and the organically treated leather is processed slowly for more than a month, resulting in a pair of footwear that you can also feel good about buying.

So, picking up a new pair of footwear to add to your rotation doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming process. Starting by looking for quality materials and versatile style potential is going to take you much further than settling for something less expensive — in that case, Florsheim’s Constable Chukka was also close to making the cut. If you’re uncertain about how to style a suede chukka, rest assured that it does just as well as a sharp leather chukka when paired with like-minded outfits — whether that’s a slim T-shirt and denim or a polo and lightwash jeans. If you play your cards right (and the weather holds out), it’s a style that could be in your rotation ’til fall.

Do you have a pair of suede chukkas in your closet? Which of the above pairs would you pick up for this spring?


by Beau H.

Guest Post: The Product Review, Clarks Bushacre 2 Boots

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post from Mark Lai, a college student based abroad and a longtime reader who’ll be offering his own take on the world of menswear in the coming months. For further guest posts, click here. 

Pick up a pair for yourself, take good care of 'em, and one day they might look like this. Photo courtesy of author.

Pick up a pair for yourself, take good care of ’em, and one day they might look like this. Photo courtesy of author.

The Clarks Bushacre 2 in Beeswax Leather was my first pair of #menswear shoes, and indeed, my first pair of shoes purchased with the consideration of quality and style, rather than based solely on a label. I’ve long been on the hunt for a pair of the best chukka boots for men — and the best boots for men, period — and I might have found them. A year and a half later, they’re still looking good, especially considering their cheap price tag. If you want to invest in a pair of leather boots, you can still do that — brands like Alden have long made investment-level boots.

In terms of construction, the Bushacres are made with full-grain leather uppers (albeit of a lower grade than more expensive shoes), featuring what appears to be a fabric lining. The main difference between these and Clarks Desert Boots are the rubber soles used in the Bushacres, which are harder than the soft crepe soles used in the Desert Boots. Due to the pillow-like comfort of crepe soles, many choose the Desert Boots over these. However, I chose these for what should be better durability than crepe. Either way, it’s hard to go wrong with some of the best chukka boots on the market. Besides, the tendency for crepe to become dirty and discoloured was one aspect that I decided I’d be better-off without. As the photos show, the soles are holding up pretty well, with only the back of the heels showing signs of wear. I’m highly considering getting these resoled with Dainite soles after they’re worn down.

Ben Sherman US

Sizing-wise, I bought these as a US 8, a full size down from my usual US 9 shoes. Despite this, I encountered some uncomfortable heel slippage the first few times I wore them out, with the heel counters proving to be especially hard on my heels. They gradually broke in, and are now one of my more comfortable shoes. They run wide, which is perfectly fine with me as that’s how my wide feet like my shoes to fit.

The classic Clarks Bushacres -- different looks and construction than the traditional Desert Boot, but with some added benefits. Photo courtesy of author.

The classic Clarks Bushacres — different looks and construction than the traditional Desert Boot, but with some added benefits. Photo courtesy of author.

Although the Bushacres may draw flak for their (relatively) sloppy, unstructured aesthete and their non-Goodyear welted construction, they’re a great option for anyone just starting on their sartorial journey. I know for one that these taught me how to take care of my shoes, which has served me well in handling more expensive ones.

Body Wash Banner

The leather uppers are capable of holding a nice shine, but tend to smudge more easily than my other full-grain shoes, which a good buffing will solve easily. Taking care of your favorite boots is crucial, after all.  Also, the insoles are stitched to a layer of canvas, which is then cemented to the sole itself, making these resoleable, particularly if the uppers are cared for properly. In this case, we see two qualities that stand out refreshingly from the vast majority of sub-$100 shoes: full grain uppers and resoleability, as opposed to corrected grain uppers and fully cemented soles. The best men’s chukka boots feature a lot of these qualities nowadays, which is refreshing to see.

Paired with slim (but not overly cropped) trousers. Photo courtesy of author.

Paired with slim (but not overly cropped) trousers. Photo courtesy of author.

Personally, I prefer wearing the Bushacres with trousers that have a wider leg opening (the leg opening of the denim above is about 7.5 inches), as they cover the top of the boots and make them look less clunky. I find that wearing cropped, overly-slim trousers with them like this causes the Bushacres to look disproportional and somewhat high street-ish, or maybe that’s just my obsession with details speaking.

Freemans Sporting Club

As for my care routine, I polish them monthly. I first brush the shoes to get rid of any dust, following that up with the application of a layer of Collonil 1909 leather lotion (Saphir products would do fine as well, as would Kiwi Leather Lotion. After roughly 20 minutes wait for it to be absorbed, I brush them lightly again to remove excess lotion. Another application of Collonil 1909 neutral-coloured leather cream succeeds this, another wait, and finally, another brushing to bring out the shine. I also place shoe trees in them and brush them after each use.

At the end of the day, it boils down to one simple principle: buy affordable men’s shoes made with good materials, take good care of them and they’ll look great. Besides, would you rather your shoes looking like mine or like this?

What have your experiences been  like with the classic shoe? Considering picking up a pair for yourself? Where else would you go to buy some of the best chukka boots for men? Let me know!

Florsheim

by Beau H.

Men’s Style Christmas Wish List

Thanks to thoughts from Siblings With Style’s female perspective, the Christmas spirit is alive and well in the Great White North…er, Michigan’s Siblings With Style hub. Personally, holiday season shopping is a pretty easy time to pinpoint what’s affordable and attainable for gift-asking — and what’s simply not. But without further ado, (and if Santa’s willing to splurge a little … or a lot), here’s what’s on my ultimate wish list this year.

The Bond Peacoat

By Billy Reid. As worn by 007 himself.

By Billy Reid. As worn by 007 himself.

While it’s essential to have a good navy peacoat on hand, there’s something special about this one. It could be the fact that it’s worn by everyone’s favorite secret agent in the latest Bond film, but the biggest draw is the quality and luxury it represents. Billy Reid is famous for high-quality goods and American style, and this peacoat is a classic wardrobe staple. Now about the price…

Clarks X Horween Chromexcel Leather Desert Boots

A beautiful burgundy leather.

A beautiful burgundy leather in a classic silhouette.

It’s clear that a good desert boot is a true style essential, but this pair takes the tried-and-true Clarks silhouette and bumps it up a notch, using rich Chromexcel leather in a great burgundy shade (among others). By taking a classic outline and ramping it up with unique and beautiful materials, they’ve created a hot collaboration with style to burn. This piece isn’t nearly as pricey as the Bond peacoat, for example, but from the looks of things, it’s still worth every penny. And more than worthy of my list, to boot … (pun intended).

Allen Edmonds Strand Cap-Toe Oxfords

A fantastic-looking, investment-worthy shoe.

A fantastic-looking, investment-worthy shoe.

Shopping on a budget for versatile and classic-looking pieces can make it difficult to splurge on the big-ticket items, items that will last decades or even longer. The Allen Edmonds Strand Cap-Toe Oxfords are a shoe more than worthy of that title, and more than worthy of envy. The American-based shoemaker’s items always seem to generate exceedingly positive reviews and have remarkable durability. In the case of this pair of shoes, they’d stand out with nearly any suit, from charcoal to navy or light grey. For one pair of shoes, they’re more than worth the sticker price.

Hamilton Khaki Field Watch

Black and brown? In a watch? Yes and yes.

Black and brown? In a watch? Yes and yes.

Although those two dominant colors might seem out of sorts, when it comes to watches, black and brown just … work together. And this case is no exception. It’s a enviable watch for yours truly, without a doubt. Hamilton watches are right at the edge of the ultra-expensive price point — they’re getting up there, but not unattainable necessarily. However, don’t mistake their quality — they’re absolutely a heritage watch company providing heirloom pieces. Maybe a watch to match those shoes above, too…

So that’s my personal Christmas wish list. Any thoughts or feedback? What’s on your list? Leave it in the comments below!

-Beau

by Beau H.

Men’s Style Essentials: From the Ground Up

Shoes are absolutely a foundation of any outfit. The entire tone of an ensemble can be set by what you wear on your feet. A nice pair of shoes can elevate a look from casual to dressy, or (with the wrong pair), serve to undermine the work you put into the rest of your look. In an ideal situation, they can provide an extremely solid starting point from which to build multiple outfits or looks. A good pair naturally lends itself to versatility — the right one can go with chinos and jeans, as well as dress trousers. Remember dark denim? Well, those jeans (along with chinos and some trousers) have met their match.

In that arena, there are few pairs more classically timeless (yet current) as the desert boot. A rather non-descript shoe with no-fuss eyelets and open chukka lacing, the desert boot has served as a style staple for decades, but has been enjoying a resurgence of sorts for the past few years. That’s partly because of their understated look, as well as their versatility and variety of of color options. However, typical desert boots are available in muted colors, and a good amount of time they come waxed, with a crepe sole. Although the sole isn’t the most durable with frequent wear on city streets (hence the term desert boot), the style should serve well in a weekly shoe rotation. For starters, Clarks makes some of the best desert boots on the market at relatively affordable price points. In fact, the brand is one of the few that’s become synonymous with offering a single product, and offering it at consistently high levels of quality, for years on end. If you’re starting out with a pair of desert boots, you can’t beat Clarks.

Old reliable tan suede desert boots by Clarks. Beat-up, but durable.

Old reliable tan suede desert boots by Clarks. Beat-up, but durable.

Dress-style desert or chukka boots are now widely available, too. Ideal for sprinting around a city or adding some visual interest to a well-tailored suit, boots with that type of open lacing are inherently more casual, but can definitely be dressed up. There are other benefits, too. The boot’s higher-ankle cut can help create a clean line between the break of your pants or suit trousers and the tops of your shoes; paired with a Levi’s 511, 513 or 514 jean or chino, the desert boot creates a slim silhouette that honestly flatters a good deal of body types.

Dress-style boot option by Steve Madden. Paired with Levi's 511 tan twill chinos.

Dress-style boot option by Steve Madden. With Levi’s 511 tan twill chinos.

And the desert boot pairs extremely, extremely well with the right pair of dark denim, or with tan twill chinos (as shown above — that subtle burnishing contrasts nicely with the faded, dusty-looking chino). With denim, take a selvedge pair for a spin with some Clarks; the two seem tailor-made for each other. When it comes to pairing other layers atop those two, brown leather or tan suede desert boots wouldn’t look out of place with some dark denim, a navy blazer, and an Oxford shirt. Rotating out the blazer for a v-neck sweater dresses down the outfit while still keeping the look cold-weather ready. For other options, it’s hard to beat a pocket tee or short-sleeve henley, still building off  that “desert boots and dark denim” base. Throwing in a pop of color in the form of a slim polo or T-shirt does the job nicely, too.

A closer look at cuffed pair of denim atop the classic desert boot.

A closer look at cuffed pair of denim atop the classic desert boot.

Once you wear those shoes, though, (and even before that), keeping them fresh out of the box is huge to prolonging their life. For just under $10, Kiwi Suede Protector goes a long way toward keeping those shoes safe from Mother Nature.  And as with any item, care is one of the biggest keys to ensuring you look your best. And keeping the pair clean actually expands the number of outfits you can wear them with; a cleaner boot works with everything from dressier, navy chinos to jeans.

So, going from the ground up, jeans and desert boots are about as versatile as you can get. Keeping everything affordable by using websites like Amazon  and keeping things clean using a nice suede protector ties the entire ensemble together in terms of affordability and flexibility. Pairing desert boots with other, classic items (like a slim polo or Oxford shirt) only adds to their appeal — finding pieces you love after a long search can be just as rewarding, something you’ll be reminded of every time you slip them on.

-Beau