The Clark’s Desert Boot
April 12, 2010, By Craig J. Heimbuch 3 comments
I’m not usually one to tell a man that something is a ‘must-have’ item, particularly when it comes to fashion. But I’m afraid the venerable Desert Boot by Clark’s of England falls into that category in part because it almost never goes out of style and also for it’s pocket knife versatility.
According to retrowow.co.uk, Nathan Clark developed the design for the book in 1949 based on boots worn by officers of the British Eighth Army in Egypt during World War II. The simple clean design – two eyelets across the forefoot and giving plantation rubber crepe soles – meant the original Desert Boot was functional, stylish and easy to wear. The design has remained in fashion for nearly 60 years.
Favored by the Mods of the ‘60s, and, really, anyone who wears Levi’s, the straight-forward look of Desert Boots means they can be worn with khakis for meetings at work or jeans on the weekend. They are masculine without being burdensome – they’re lightweight and tough, unlike, say, construction or hiking boots – and they go with just about any look, which means you don’t have to plan out a way to wear them. And for about $90 you can get yourself a pair of shoes that can be worn for all the occasions you don’t need wingtips or running shoes. These are every day shoes.
The basic model as been copied by every designer and retailer in the market. J. Crew, Land’s End, Eddie Bauer and Banana Republic are pushing them, as are designers like Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren. But, for my money, you can never go wrong with the original.
How to Wear Them
I highly recommend two pairs – one in a sandy-colored suede, the other in chocolate brown. Wear the sandy ones when its warm, the darker ones when it is cold and forget about footwear worry.
What to Wear with Them
There are three ways to go in terms of socks. Desert Boots work well with ragg and merino wool socks, but because they are great in the summer, you may want to skip the heavy ones. I’ve worn mine with ankle-height athletic socks that sit just below top of the boot and I’ve worn them with my favorite pair of office-friendly socks – a pair of red argyles that I wear with anything, regardless of whether or not they match.
Craig Heimbuch is the Editor-in-Chief of ManoftheHouse.com and the author of "Chasing Oliver Hazard Perry." He is a Barefoot Proximity employee.
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