Despite the weather showing glimpses of sunshine and heat, we all know how temperamental the British summertime is. How often do you pack away your winter clothing, only for it to start raining again just days after? In fact, we rarely even need to transition from a winter wardrobe to a summer one!
Whilst you might be able to move your thick, woolly jumpers and winter boots into storage, you might want to keep your autumn items in your closet, just in case. For this, we’re talking thin-knit jumpers, waterproof jackets, and Chelsea boots. Whilst traditionally worn during the colder months, Chelsea boots are a versatile style of boot to cover all seasons.
Choosing a neutral colour, such as black or brown, means you’ll get even more wearability out of these boots as they’ll go with just about any outfit: skirts, dresses, trousers, and jeans.
You can wear them on so many occasions too: from casual office wear to family days out, from nights at the pub with friends to chilling out at home. You know here at Rydale, we want you to wear your clothing as much as possible so believe in having a classic country capsule wardrobe.
Today’s blog is going to focus on how to wear your Chelsea boots with the most versatile item in anybody’s wardrobe: straight-leg or skinny jeans! Whether you prefer traditional or coloured denim, we want to show you how to get your jeans and Chelsea boots outfit on the same page. We’ve separated our guide for men and women, and you’ll find some of the advice goes across both.
Wear with jeans: ladies
Skinny jeans and Chelsea boots should be the basis of a staple outfit in your wardrobe. These two items make the foundation for any casual or smart-casual outfit; you won’t have to compromise on comfort here either as you’ll be in comfortable country footwear!
To keep it casual, stick with block-coloured T-shirts or polo shirts. There’s nothing more classic than a T-shirt to add a pop of colour to any outfit. You want the style to be fitted but not too tight. Think of colours that complement your skin tone and hair colour. Maybe you look best in pastel colours or perhaps you suit brighter tones? Also, think about the neckline. Do you prefer a round, crew neck style or does a V-neck suit your body top best?
A pair of dark indigo skinny jeans should be a staple in any woman’s wardrobe but sometimes during the summer, you might want to give a light wash a go instead. Light coloured denim suits both brights, and pastels, especially during the summer, and tan coloured boots compliment them too.
If you’d rather opt for coloured denim, be very aware of colour clashing. A plain black, white or grey T-shirt works well with any colour, so you never have to worry about whether your outfit matches or not! With ‘louder’ jeans, you must go ‘quiet’ on your top half or you’ll risk looking like a country fashion casualty!
Polo shirts are universally flattering on all body shapes and sizes; our range of classic polo shirts come in a range of subtle colours, perfect for all those casual, day-to-day outings. If you prefer to add a bit more of a pop to your outfit, stripes and polka dots could be your new best friend. Both complement dark indigo jeans in particular but any colour of boot will suit them!
For more formal occasions, a fitted shirt is a great option to wear with skinny jeans and Chelsea boots. We love a patterned country shirt with a leather belt to complete this look. You will not find more of a classic country look than this! Whether it’s checks or animal print, a fitted shirt or a floaty blouse, this look can take you from running errands in town to a night at the pub with friends and family
Wear with jeans: gentlemen
The rules for men aren’t too dissimilar to country ladies. You can’t go wrong with a classic crew neck or V-neck T-shirt. Whether you prefer to stick with neutrals, such as grey and white, or you like to add in some colour to an outfit, brights or pastels, denim goes with any colour or pattern.
Dark wash straight-leg jeans should not be a new introduction to your wardrobe and you probably know what items go with them; it should be as many items as possible as jeans are the most versatile piece of clothing there is!
Polo shirts are another alternative for a regular T-shirt. This style never goes out of fashion so make sure to have multiples in your wardrobe. Make sure to have a selection of bright colours, pastel colours, and neutral colours in your range to cover as many bases as possible.
If you need a style that is more formal, ditch the T-shirts and polo shirts for a smart shirt. Whether it’s patterned or plain, a cotton shirt will take you from casual to smart. Suede Chelsea boots also add an extra edge to a more formal outfit. This is the sort of outfit you’d wear for a family gathering or a night at the pub.
Don’t forget to keep your Chelsea boots clean. Scuffs on other boots give them character but on a pair of Chelsea boots, you want the entire outfit to be smart and sleek.
With a leather pair, a leather cleaner should be used monthly, but most days, soap and water will do just fine! With a suede pair, you need to buy a cleaner specifically for suede and clean them more often than a leather pair.
Jeans and a pair of leather or suede Chelsea boots is such a classic country look. Whether you go for a plain or patterned top, you’ll be sure to be the best-dressed person in your local village. Not only do jeans and flat boots offer style, but they are also super comfortable, meaning they’re a great option for a meal out!