/fa/ - Fashion

>>6598373
>hybrid work/chelsea thing?

Sort of. Both Australian work boots and Chelsea boots evolved out of a style of equestrian boot called Jodhpur boots, which originated not in the Victorian era, not the 1600s, pic related.

You could essentially call AWBs Chelsea boots built to take punishment, and one of the great things about them is that they're the only style of workboot that can truly be used in a non-casual context without it being a big statement. They're also famously comfortable.

RM Williams makes the best, with a very nice and sleek wholecut construction, one seam on the whole boot tucked away at the back. Blundstones are next, not wholecut and not easily resoleable but substantially cheaper. Other companies also do them - Rossi, Redback, off the top of my head - but I wouldn't consider them. Quality is lower (or so I've heard, but heard frequently, and the pricing suggests this) and the designs are busier and visually heavier, much less readily repurposed for wear with a suit or tuxedo