What are deserts?
Deserts (from English) desert boots ) are ankle-length casual boots, traditionally made of suede and equipped with a crepe (rubber) sole.
The shoe was created by Nathan Clarke in 1950. The design is inspired by the chukka boots worn by British officers during the North African campaign in World War II. The name comes from the word "desert," as the lightweight construction and soft sole were originally intended for comfortable walking on sand.
Desert boots are informal footwear and have historically been considered a staple of casual and preppy styles.
Distinctive features
The main feature of desert boots, which distinguishes them from classic chukka boots, is their crepe sole. Made of porous rubber, it has a distinctive texture and provides high flexibility while walking.
Classic models are made from soft suede without a dense inner lining. The traditional color palette includes sand, brown, and olive shades.
- Lacing: an open system that is strictly limited to two (rarely three) pairs of eyelets for laces.
- Seams: The upper of the boot is joined to the sole by visible stitching, often done with a contrasting thread.
- Form: The toe of desert boots is always wide and round, which ensures a loose fit that does not restrict the foot.
What to combine with
Desert boots look great with straight-leg or skinny jeans, corduroy trousers, and chinos. It's recommended to roll the legs slightly to expose the shoe's hem and laces.
Classic trench coats, safari jackets, denim jackets, parkas and informal tweed jackets are suitable as outerwear.
In women's wardrobes, desert boots are combined with casual midi-length knit dresses, as well as A-line skirts made of thick cotton or denim.
Shoes can be worn with invisible insoles in warm weather, or with thick, textured socks peeking out from under the shoe. Ribbed cotton or fine wool hosiery are ideal for this purpose.
