#Wild dose boots full#

But these desert boots, as they came to be known, actually had their origins in South Africa. Many Eight Army officers would visit the bazaars of Cairo and purchase rough suede boots with a crepe sole in order to fight the desert terrain and heat, which were reminiscent of the chukka boots they may have seen during their pre-war service in India. Due to the arid and hot conditions of North Africa, a more traditional military boot made from a thicker leather with a heavy sole wouldn’t have been suitable to fighting a sustained campaign on foot, so his majesty’s troops would adapt and overcome. From the battlefields of El Alamein and Tobruk to the banks of the Nile and the bazaars of Cairo, the Desert Boot became the choice of footwear for a rag tag bunch of Desert Rats.

The name also supports this origin story, with similarities to the seven and a half minute playing period knonw as a ‘Chukker’ or Chukka, which is taken from the Hindi word ‘chukkar’ meaning circle or turn.īut when did the distinction between the Chukka and Desert Boot arise? Well, it was the Western Desert campaigns of World War Two - fought by the British Army in Eygypt, Libya and Tunisia - that really cemented the footwear’s namesake. It is said to have its origins in India amongst British Army units who played polo and wore a derivative of the Jodhpur boot during downtime after matches. The boot that’s not really a boot, it can be dressed up or dressed down, the definition of smart casual in the footwear world. Easy to wear due to it’s small number of lace holes, shallow height and soft supple leather, it remains a popular style in contemporary menswear and for good reason. A style which dates back decades, the Chukka Boot is modest yet mighty. The Desert Boot’s DNA lies with the humble ‘Chukka Boot’ which is defined as an ankle height boot with suede or leather uppers and open lacing of two or three pairs of eyelets. So rather than being drawn into the passing trends and fashion fads of the year, it’s worth investing in a healthy dose of history and recognising that a time honored silhouette has the longevity you didn’t know you were looking for. After all, they’re labelled as such for a reason. Arguably, there’s been no better time to re-visit the classics. So, what does any of this matter and why are we talking about it? Well, in an era of mass production, fast fashion and throwaway culture where we can be quickly overwhelmed by a continuous onslaught of content, marketing and ad campaigns, it’s important to take a step back. In addition, it’s worth noting that the practical application and functional aspect of the item also plays an integral role, and may even be the reason for its inception in the first place. But what factors contribute to putting these pieces on the podium? Is it an everlasting design, historical relevance, adoption by sub-cultural movements, celebrity endorsement? Well, cards on the table, it’s probably a combination of all these ingredients which create the recipe for a classic. Garments or items which are certified as timeless imprints on the fashion spectrum, still as relevant now as they ever were.

#Wild dose boots full#

Sartorial history is full of so-called classics and cornerstones.