Chelsea boots--Blundstones? - YouLookFab Forum

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Chelsea boots--Blundstones?

Ariadne

Veteran

I think chelsea boots may be the answer to my bootie needs. So, question--do Blundstones, the original chelsea boots, "count" when it comes to this trend, or are they basically "gear"? Blundstones would stand up to the abuse I put my shoes through. I have a good friend who wears them well with dresses and other feminine clothes, but her style is VERY avant-garde, so I'm not sure if that's the only reason the Blunnies work for her. I'm open to more refined chelsea boots like these Arturo Chang or Chinese Laundry ones if necessary, but the quality and reputation of Blundstones appeals to me.
http://www.blundstone.ca/all-b.....tyles.html (I'd go for the black chisel toe, probably)
http://www.thebay.com/eng/shoe.....bay/256784
http://www.chineselaundry.com/.....ther#black

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Ariadne

Ariadne

Veteran

I should note I'd want to wear these with things like skinnies, dresses, etc. Not as "gear".

deb

Veteran

I like the Chinese Laundry the best.

Diana

Veteran

I think the originals might work, depending on how they fit your foot (I can tell for example that my foot would be swimming in them so it would not look right). Oh, and ONLY in black. The other colors look very gearish to me. They are very masculine though, so I think they'd be best paired with something quite feminine, like a printed dress or something.

With jeans, I think I'd prefer the more streamlined, fashion versions.

Krista

Veteran

I wouldn't consider Blunnies to be gear because I see a lot of women wearing them successfully with skinnies, skirts and leggings. I like the look myself, but I find it a very Canadian look - are you Canadian? - I see a lot of wearing them as you describe here in Ottawa.
I myself have worn my Blundstones with skinny jeans and I like the look. I can't wear mine for long though because I find them very flat and I have high arches, so it becomes painful for me to wear them for extended periods. If I didn't have that issue, I would wear them all the time. The more you wear them, the more authentic they look!

ETA: I got mine in black and I regret it. If I had my time back, I would get the dark brown

Ariadne

Veteran

I think I also prefer the look of the fashion ones, especially the Chinese Laundry ones. I'm just afraid they'd get trashed almost immediately, especially at the toes, since the sole doesn't protrude past the upper at all.

Ariadne

Veteran

Krista, yes, I'm Canadian! Good to know about the flatness. That may be a problem for me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wear a pair of black chisel-toed Blundstones with my skinnies and SOMETIMES with very casual skirts/tights.

They aren't gear, but they are super-casual, weekend wear. Since I'm a work-at-home mom, who lives in a very student-oriented city, this works for me to an extent...but only to an extent.

My natural preference is for "dressier" looks. I'd never wear this bootie with what I'd consider a "real" dress -- and since I have short legs, I prefer to wear something with a bit of a heel or wedge when I'm actually going for a more fashion-forward look.

As a simple MOTG look, though, I say they work. And I wouldn't be without a pair; they are my go-to boot for winter, as a matter of fact. I get them a tiny bit long for my foot and wear Smartwool socks along with tights (if I'm in a skirt).

Interesting, what Krista says...I have high arches, too, but these work for me just fine and I can wear them for hours. I can't wear most flat shoes very well, but these I can. I do have insoles in mine, so maybe that helps. Also, I find with flat shoes if they have some ankle support I do better. And of course a boot does have that.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I will add...for my style, the more rugged Blundstones actually have a bit more "oomph" than the other two you linked to.

It's not that I don't like refined Chelsea boots. I LOVE them. But I'd class Angie's new python boots in that category and to me they have better proportions than the others you linked to.

Note that I am VERY fussy and particular about Chelsea boots. Maybe even odd about them.

Gaylene

Veteran

I absolutely love my Blunnies; they are my go-to boot in the winter because they don't slip on icy sidewalks and I can wear a pair of wool socks inside so my feet stay dry and warm even in -30C weather. And they are indestructible; my mind boggles at what you'd have to do to trash them.

Having said that, though, I've never thought of them as a fashion boot because they do look very clunky, even though mine are the supposedly more "refined" chisel toe. They definitely fall into my "gear" category.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

BTW, when I say they are my go-to winter boot, what I mean is this:

They're not a snow boot (obviously) but for MOTG days, I can wear them and still look presentable downtown. Not "dressy" but presentable.

I also have a pair of insulated knee-high boots by Clarks - those are great, too.

Diana

Veteran

How about the Doc Marten versions? I think these are a good compromise - a little sleeker than the Blunnies, but still nice and sturdy.

http://www.dmusastore.com/p-3814-laura.aspx
http://www.dmusastore.com/p-2163-2976.aspx

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Laughing here...lots of us chiming in are Canadian! Didn't realize this is a Canadian look! But it's an Aussie boot?

Seriously, what Gaylene says is true. I have owned two pair in the past fourteen years and the first pair I wore almost every single day in winter...it took that long for them to wear out...at least 8 years.

Gaylene

Veteran

We posted at the same time, Suz, but I just wanted to chime back in to say that I think you've described exactly how I feel about my Blundstones-- right down to wearing my Smartwool socks inside! LOL

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So funny, Gaylene! Maybe at our meetup we'll be wearing them.

Actually, my black chisel toes look almost exactly like the Docs Diana linked to. They work really well with a short black skirt and tights with socks peeking out the top - again, for a casual vibe. Not dressy.

Ariadne

Veteran

This is so helpful! I am almost never dressy at this point in my life, but there's casual and then there's headed-for-a-hike-in-the-outback. Suz, do you have any outfit pics showing them?

I'm second guessing whether Chelsea boots are what I want. I lose the short Frye Carsons. They're out of my budget, though.

I just looked up Angie's python ones and they're great. If I wasn't heading into 6 months of rain I'd consider them (I like the suede ones). They're not quite Chelsea boots, though--no elastic!

geargirl

Hi Ariadne!
I love this post! I've been thinking about adding a similar style shoe as well. My go-to brand for riding horses is Ariat and they have a paddock boot that is similar to the chelsea boot. I've worn them for years and they are perfect on my fussy feet. Ariat was started by ladies that worked for Reebok and wanted their riding boots to have athletic shoe technology.(I think...I heard this story years ago!) For me they are 16 hour day boots, and I have had many pairs but I wear them out yearly since I ride a lot! Here is a link to what I mean:
http://www.amazon.com/Ariat-Wo.....riat+boots
I wear my paddock boots (I wear the laced ones) with skinny and bootcut jeans (plus my breeches!) and they look nicer than an athletic shoe. Anyway, I love the Blundstone link, I might try them. They are not as refined looking as the Ariats I think. They are gear though...there is a reason I call myself Geargirl... Good luck, and let us know what you decide!

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Ariadne

Veteran

I've tried Ariat boots on before and they are very comfy indeed!

I'm having such a hard time narrowing in on the right pair of Chelsea boots. I wonder if I should be eyeing lace-up combat style boots instead.

ElleH

Veteran

I'm Australian, though I live in the US now. I used to own the typical round toe brown greasy ones. I don't see them here in LA because the weather is drier so we don't need them. I like the look with dresses & jeans & it seems an acceptable look in Canada from all the Canadians chiming in. I think they are worn in NY too, though I've seen them on men more there. I think if you want them to handle the weather they're a good choice. I like all kinds of Chelsea boots. RM Williams (another Aussie brand) are less clunky but way more expensive, even more than Frye. I do like the juxtaposition of feminine clothes with tougher boots in general.

Anonymous

Chiming in from another Canadian, I see lots of women wearing Blunnies with tights and skirts, or with jeans. In my department, there are two female and two male profs who wear them all the time in the fall and winter, the women with tights, skirts, jeans, etc. and the men with jeans.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't think I have an outfit pic with them..Ariadne...I honestly wear them mostly for mucking around and not to make a fashion statement so I don't snap pics wearing them. I could try to get a pic on the weekend, though....

On a longer, slimmer legged woman they can look "cool" I think, with a skirt or dress. Not so much on me with my body type, alas.

I love those Ariats! They look great!

For me personally, given my climate, I need more than one type of bootie. So maybe you are trying to have one serve too many purposes? Just wondering if that is making the decision tougher.

Ariadne

Veteran

Yes, Suz, that's probably a big part of my problem! My budget will only stretch so far and I'd rather buy one good pair of boots than two or three cheaper pairs--I think. So it's a matter of figuring out what style I'll get the MOST wear out of. Whatever I get needs to stand up to wet weather and lots of walking, be extremely comfortable and stable, and work with a large portion of my wardrobe. I do have some cheap motorcycle style booties already, and several pairs of tall boots, plus rain boots.

Ceit, that's interesting! I wonder if I'll see them around campus (we live on a university campus) a lot this year too now that I'm attuned. They would definitely work well for my lifestyle; still not sure about my "style" style. My heart and eye is very arty, eclectic and edgy but my existing wardrobe, budget, lifestyle and body type aren't quite there in reality.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah - I get it.

Well, these would be versatile, but only to a point.

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I've been thinking about some Chelsea type boots, too, and I'm having a heck of a time finding some that are just right -- not too gearish, not too Beatles.

Of the ones on this thread, though, I prefer the Arturo Chang or the Ariats. The Blundstone boots look good and comfy but still seem a bit too utilitarian, somehow, IMHO. Maybe it's just the thicker sole?

Ariadne

Veteran

Mander, let me know if you find any good ones. This thread and a lot of time spent creating outfits in my head has helped me clarify that I definitely want refined, fashion-y Chelsea boots, a la the Chinese Laundry ones I posted. The Ariat ones are too preppy for me. Time to start scouring the Web.