A pair of boots and a suit are two fashion items that many people would tell you never to wear together. However, a pair of Chelsea boots may be an exception to this rule.
Typically, suits are worn with dress shoes or loafers, but formal boots do exist. When you match the right pair of boots with a suit, it looks stylish and unique.
The Chelsea boot is a formal men’s boot style and a solid alternative to classic dress shoes and loafers. However, wearing a pair of Chelsea boots with a suit must be done correctly.
In this post, we’ll look at everything you need to know about wearing Chelsea boots with a suit. This article will help you prepare for any upcoming formal events and occasions.
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Is It Okay to Wear Chelsea Boots With a Suit?
Chelsea boots are an excellent dress boot to wear with a suit. The sleek look brings class, regardless of the dress pants paired with them. When wearing a pair of Chelsea boots with a suit, wearing slim-fit suit pants with little to no break in the leg is ideal.
Although wearing boots with a suit may seem strange, this has become a popular fashion trend over the last few years. Wearing a pair of brown suede Chelsea boots with a blue suit is a stylish look for the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
So, if you’re still wondering whether you can wear Chelsea boots with a suit, the answer is yes! Pairing a suit with Chelsea boots is a great way to show off your personal style and to stand out from others.
What Are Chelsea Boots?
Chelsea boots are ankle-high, close-fitting boots with an elastic side panel. The Chelsea boot has a fabric tab on the back of the boot, so it can easily be pulled off. Oftentimes, Chelsea boots are made with suede or leather. Chelsea boots date back to the Victorian era when they were unisex boots.
What Type of Suit Looks Best with Chelsea Boots?
Chelsea boots pair well with almost any type of suit. Whether it’s a grey suit, black suit, navy suit, charcoal suit, or beige suit, Chelsea boots will have a smart casual look. When it comes to dress pants, look for a slim-fit or tapered style instead of a classic or relaxed fit.
The fit of the dress pants is extremely important. You don’t want the dress pants to be too long, or else they will cover too much of your Chelsea boots, making your formal outfit undesirable.
Your dress pants should have a narrow fit, and the bottom should fit around the lower part of your ankle. This way, you will have a sharp and elegant style.
How to Color Coordinate a Suit and Chelsea Boots?
When it comes to wearing a suit with Chelsea boots, you are definitely going to want to color coordinate your outfits. It’s essential for the color of the boots to be coordinated with the rest of your outfit.
Here is how to color coordinate a suit with Chelsea boots:
Black Suit
Wear a pair of suede or black leather Chelsea boots when wearing a black suit. This classic style can be worn on various occasions and always looks great.
Navy Suit / Blue Suit
A pair of brown Chelsea boots with a navy or blue suit is a great look for formal occasions. When it comes to formal attire, brown and blue look fantastic together and are one of the best color combinations in fashion.
Light Grey Suit
A light grey suit looks good with a pair of brown boots. This classic look is a staple in men’s fashion and will get you many compliments.
Charcoal Suit
A charcoal suit looks amazing with a pair of dark brown boots. This elegant look is a great choice for weddings, the office and other formal occassions.
Beige Suit
A beige suit is an excellent style for the summer months. The best way to wear Chelsea boots with a beige suit is to choose a brown pair of suede boots. The slight contrast between the brown boots and the beige suit creates a classy formal outfit.
Burgundy Suit
Wearing a burgundy suit with a pair of black Chelsea boots is a great option if you want something that will stand out from the rest. This color combination is unique and has a modern look you don’t see often.
Forest Green Suit
Although it’s not a common suit color, a forest green suit with brown or black boots looks very nice. If you think they can pull off a forest green suit, pair them up with black or brown suede boots.
5 Tips for Wearing Chelsea Boots with a Suit:
Wearing a suit with Chelsea boots creates a stylish and modern look. Chelsea boots are versatile and can complement various styles of suits.
Here are 5 tips for pulling off the Chelsea boots with suit outfit.
1. Pay Attention to Fit
When wearing Chelsea boots with formal outfits, the fit of your suit is essential. Make sure your suit fits properly, with a tailored appearance.
Your dress pants should have a slight taper and not be too long to avoid bunching by your ankles. This way, your pants and Chelsea boots will look natural, and you will have an elegant look.
2. Choose the Right Chelsea Boots
When it comes to choosing Chelsea boots, there are a few factors to consider.
Begin by choosing the style of Chelsea boots. Most Chelsea boots have a similar look. However, the shape of the shoes can vary on the footwear brand.
The boots’ material is essential to choosing the right pair of Chelsea boots. You will have the choice between suede or leather. If you need help deciding which one to choose, it comes down to personal preference.
Finally, you will have to choose the color. The color of Chelsea boots you choose should be based on the color of the suit that you plan on wearing.
Tip: Always match the color of your shoes/boots with the color of your belt!
3. Consider The Occassion
Whether you’re going to a wedding, business meeting, or a formal event, it’s important to consider the occasions when you wear Chelsea boots with a suit.
Although Chelsea boots are versatile and stylish, there are more comfortable footwear options. If you’re doing a lot of standing and walking, opt for a pair of dress shoes.
4. Wear The Right Socks
When you wear Chelsea boots with a suit, wearing dress socks that match your outfit is essential. Matching your socks with your suit creates a sleek and cohesive look.
Avoid wearing contrasting or bright socks, as it will ruin your outfit!
5. Make Sure Your Chelsea Boots Are Clean
When you’re wearing your Chelsea boots with a suit, it’s essential that they are clean! Here is how to clean Chelsea boots.
How to Clean Chelsea Boots:
Step 1: Use a soft shoe brush and leather or suede cleaner and begin brushing the boots. Use the brush to clean off any dirt, stains and other marks.
Step 2: Let the Chelsea boots dry off naturally until they are no longer moist.
Step 3: Apply suede or leather protector to repel any water and stains.
By following these three steps, your suede boots will be nice and clean in not time!
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Final Thoughts On Can You Wear Chelsea Boots With a Suit
Wearing Chelsea boots with a suit is a great way to standout for the crowd, and have your own unique style. Over the last few years, this look has become popular and it is considered to be very stylish right now.
In this post, I shared everything you need to know about wearing Chelsea boots with a suit, how to color coordinate your suit and Chelsea boots, and how to clean Chelsea boots.
It’s funny that you made this your next topic of discussion because I have just recently been seeing a few graduate students in their mid to late 20’s around here wearing that exact style of boot with both suits and slightly less formal blazer jackets. They were wearing slim fit pants just like you advised, and yes, I remember that most of the outfits were navy and brown combos! I assume they were maybe doing some type of presentation or such for one of their classes.
It’s true, I love the look of Chelsea boots – they have total class! As you said, if well crafted with the suit it is a very respectable modern look – I totally agree based on what I’ve seen around town/campus here this year.
This post was next level – I have to say that the history, analysis, and guidance you offered here was your best yet! I mean you even got into how to clean the Chelsea boots – ha, I was like go Ethann!!! š Seriously, the level of knowledge you have stored away in your head is amazing, and it has been so much fun watching this website evolve. You are only getting better and more seasoned with time, and your articles are always so legit and on point with what I see out here in real life. Keep it going! šÆāš¼
I was in a Macy’s store the other day, and they had a plastic male model on display that was wearing a black suit jacket and dress pants with a high quality light heather grey (I think Polo Ralph Lauren) crew neck t-shirt and light grey definitely Polo canvas tennis sneakers!!! I was like oh my gosh, this is total Ethan territory right here! šš
I think the card next to it said something like “For the fashion forward man…” Ha, I was like yup, this is totally Ethan and WTWM worthy! š It is so awesome and amazing, because if you had ever shown someone an outfit like that decades ago they would have just laughed at you. Nowadays, it’s not at all funny anymore – it looks so sick because it’s the kind of look that blends in so well with the enlightened attitudes and ways of The Z’ers and The ’20’s.
Your blog has definitely made me a lot more aware and appreciative of all these new styles out there. If you open your eyes to everything and everyone around you and really take it all in, these truly are some cool, fascinating times to be living in!