This weekend we tried to escape the Los Angeles heat by heading up to the mountains, in particular Big Bear. As our car winded around the precarious mountain roads, we watched as the thermometer dipped ever so slightly, from an unnatural 100 degrees to just under 80 degrees. It almost felt like fall.
On our way back down the mountain early today, we watched the thermometer go the opposite way, from 50 degrees to 80 degrees on the descent. We stopped at a turnout so I could snap a photo of the mountains. As I nearly slid down a gravelly hill in my summer sandals, I looked at my feet and had one thought: I can’t wait to wear some fall boots. (Hey, I didn’t say it was going to be a profound thought!)
I am a big fan of ankle boots for the fall. Exhibit A: My fall 2009 wishlist. Exhibit B: My squee moment for tiny baby booties. More recently, Exhibit C: The Beatles boots from my latest Listen & Look.
It’s the latter boot that I’m lusting after this season. Beatles Boots, aka Chelsea Boots. And it’s not just because I like a good excuse to run a Beatles photo. Although, obviously.
Chelsea Boots aka Beatles Boots
The best thing about Chelsea Boots is the elastic ankle, because I happen to think zippers and/or laces on boots are a special kind of hell.
In fact, the boot was originally created in the 1800s to easily slip on/off. That’s what I’m talking about. Even Queen Victoria was a proponent of the style, so you know they’re legit. (Read more about the history of the Chelsea Boot here.)
They started off looking like so:
To looking like this in the late 1950s-early 1960s (when the Chelsea set, the mods and The Beatles got ahold of them):
Source: Lynn Goldsmith
Source: Bill Eppridge
And now, in fall 2014, they look like this. The boot has always been a staple of cool for men, but this season there are actually plenty of options for women.
Shop the look:
Would you wear a pair of these quintessential cool boots, and if so, how would you style them?