It goes without saying that ideally you should have a pair of each in your shoe wardrobe. These are very different types of footwear and are used for different activities. So, why feel the need compare the other?
Because both fashion and casual wear have muddied the lines quite a bit. Let’s consider these two kinds of footwear and when they can and should be worn.
The Chelsea Boots’ History
The Chelsea boot is a type of footwear created during the Victorian era in England. Mr. J. Sparkes-Hall, the Queen’s bootmaker, is believed to be the inventor of the Chelsea Boot. Sparkes-Hall created the Chelsea as an alternative to the Victorian boots which were known to be notoriously rigid.
The Chelsea boot quickly became the preferred choice, especially for equestrians who chose them as the preferred boot style.
The boot was made for both women and men and sold as a walking shoe. When first offered for sale, they were called the “Patent Elastic Ankle Boots”of J. Sparkes-Hall’s. Chelsea boots remained a mainstay in footwear in the following decades.
They acquired their modern-day name “Chelsea Boots” in the 1960s and became hugely popular again. This was thanks to the Beatles, Britain’s globally famous pop music icons.
The Beatles wore them in concerts and during public appearances, so they quickly became one of the defining fashion elements of the “British Mod” style. They were also popular with the Rolling Stones.
Chelsea boots are ankle boots. They distinguish themselves thanks to low heels, rounded toes, and gussets in elastic that are built directly into the sides of the boots. The characteristic elastic gussets mean that pulling on or off the boots can be accomplished easily and quickly.
Quick maneuverability isn’t the only advantage to the built-in gussets. This elastic insert offers a snugly comfortable fit. It offers the same almost customized feel very similar to a lace up boot.
The Chelsea boot also offers a sleeker, smoother silhouette because the design has no laces. It makes a cleaner fashion statement.
Despite its simple design, Chelsea boot style is replicated by numerous manufacturers of footwear. Some will appear dressier and more elegant as a result. Refined Chelsea boot styles may feature the boot vamp created from a single leather piece together with the quarters.
Thanks to this fashion design, stitching is minimal and the book benefits from a smoother and consequently dressier look.
The History of Dealer Boots
Dealer boots are basically one and the same as Chelsea boots. Dealer boots are another name for Chelsea boots. Hence their roots are found in the Victorian era and this footwear was created as Victorian riding footwear.
They were also called paddock boots and in some cases Jodhpur boots, although these latter boots have specific design characteristics not found in other similar boot designs.
Dealer boots have the same elastic gussets inserted that are characteristic of Chelsea boots, and there are no laces. A great deal of why they are so popular can be credited to their being easy-to-remove footwear.
Many Chelsea boots referred to as dealer boots have work boot features such as steel toes, and resist acid, oil, alkali, petrol, and more. They will have breathable moisture-wicking liners
The Chelsea Boot’s Fashion Look and Characteristics
The classic Chelsea boot design is without embellishment. These boots boast a plain smooth boot style. The Chelsea boot is a more casual footwear style because it is a slip-on boot.
Since they are produced in leather, they still lend themselves to pairing with a business suit, especially an unstructured suit. They are not proper for pairing with black-tie wear.
The defining characteristics of the Chelsea boot include:
1. Ankle Shaft Height
These boots are fashioned so that they cover the ankles. This is one of the reasons that are so popular among equestrians, hikers, and professional tradesmen.
2. Elastic Gussets
The characteristic that most readily defines the Chelsea boot is the elastic gusset inserted in the boot’s side. It is an elastic side panel. Boots are rhus easily removed or slipped on and yet the fit is comfortably snug.
3. Lower Heels
As these were designed originally with walking in mind, they feature lower heels.
4. Rounded Toe Design
Most classic Chelsea boots will feature a rounded toe design. Some newer designs that are fashion variations, may feature a more pointed toe structure.
5. Tabs on the Boot Back
Chelsea boots are designed as slip-on boots, so they are designed with a tab placed on the boot back above the heel. This tab allows you to slip the boot on with greater ease.
6. Two-Part Boot Design
These boots are designed with two parts, the vamp, and the quarters. Both parts are fashioned using a single leather piece.
The quarters meet the vamp near the ankle exactly where the elastic strip is placed by the ankle. This kind of design and production has proved to be exceptionally durable.
If Dealer Boots Are the Same as Chelsea Boots, Are There Any Differences?
Dealer boots are basically a popular variation of a Chelsea boot. They are generally manufactured in a tougher heavy-duty leather than a standard Chelsea boot.
The most apparent difference between the two boots is that the Dealer boot has the elastic gusset placed a bit higher than it’s placed on the Chelsea boot style.
The Chelsea boot is generally worn for casual or semi-formal wear, whereas the Dealer boot is a Chelsea boot style that is traditionally used as a work boot. It may also offer a little bit wider fit in its design to accommodate work demands and heavier work socks.
The Dealer boot is favored by tradesmen for work environments.
Why Are Chelsea Boots So Popular?
The sleek, smooth design is versatile. They can be worn with jeans, chinos, and even 3-piece suits meaning you can wear them to the office, or out for dinner.
This design comes in a variety of leathers, from suede to rustic leather, to smooth elegant leather. Colors are equally varied featuring the classic browns and black, all the way to pinks and purples.
The Chelsea boots are practical with their elasticized side panel that affords them a snug fit without laces or straps to deal with. If you don’t have a great deal of time or are running late, you won’t find a better boot style.
Even better is that they are dressy enough to wear with a suit, meaning you can go directly from the office out to dinner without having to change your shoes.
With a quick polish, they also have an impeccable sheen making them a bit more elegant than another casual footwear.
When Can I Wear Chelsea Boots?
Chelsea boots can be worn when smart casual is the look you are aiming for. This means you can wear then with a suit, an unstructured suit, slacks and sports coat, collared shirt with a tie, or any mix of these. Black or brown Chelsea boots are ideal with this style.
If you want to go completely casual, Chelsea boots look great with jeans and a t-shirt. They’ll even add a bit of polish and class to this casual style.
If you want to go street style, try Chelsea boots with leather jackets, jean shirts, designer hoodies, and skinny jeans or slacks. They will compliment your hip look adding just a bit of edgy polish to street smarts.
When Can I Wear Dealer Boots?
Dealer boots are the work boot version of Chelsea boots, so these will be worn in workplace environments. They are especially popular with professional tradesmen.
Built to be tough and durable, they are generally compliant with workplace safety requirements. Many offer waterproofing and water protection.
These are a practical choice for robust footwear that have nonetheless made their way into mainstream fashion.
Chelsea boots are ideal for tradesmen, heavy-duty agricultural and farm work, or just working in the yard. They are meant to be resilient and tough for the most challenging conditions.
Many will feature resistance to heat, various liquids and come with rubber outer soles attached by the Goodyear welt method.
In Conclusion: Chelsea Boots vs. Dealer Boots
Dealer boots are fundamentally a variant of the Chelsea boot, so we are basically discussing the same type of footwear. Chelsea boots may be a bit more refined and perfect for smart casual or semi-formal wear.
The Dealer boot variant will be more art home in work environments and provide more safety features. If your budget allows, both a sleeker Chelsea boot and a tougher Dealer boot would be welcome additions to anyone’s wardrobe.
