The Boots Go Marching In

When it comes to a basic pair of bovvars, I’m somewhat of a Solovair partisan. In terms of style, quality, construction, and pedigree they have it all. But there’s a bevy of beautiful boots out there beyond your bog standard Docs, Solos, and Gripfasts. The following are a few of them. Some are on the traditional side and some are, well, not.

William Lennon & Co. Ruff-lander 78TC Traditional Work Boot

William Lennon & Co. has been making work boots since the 19th century, and there’s as good a chance as any that some of the very first bootboys may have worn the company’s boots. The 78TC work boot is a traditional derby style boot and just one of the WL&C’s “Ruff-lander” range to make this list. Unfortunately quality and tradition doesn’t come cheap. A pair of these costs £153.95, or about $187.

William Lennon & Co. Ruff-lander 79X Safety Boot

This boot appears to be a slightly heavier-duty and significantly cheaper version of the 78TC. Though certainly less refined than its more expensive cousin, it’s darker leather and lack of a stitched toe cap may be a plus to some. £99.95, or about $121.

William Lennon & Co. Ruff-lander 94OR Safety Footwear

The old school beauties are as close as you’re likely to find to the old school capped boots worn by the earliest skinheads in the days before Docs. Yours truly is aching to get himself a pair and lather them up in oxblood polish. £59.95, or around $73.

William Lennon & Co. Ruff-lander 11OR Steel Toe Caps

Similar to the 940Rs but with an extra eyelet and no stitching on the cap. £61.95, or around $75.

William Lennon & Co. Ruff-lander S31P Engine Mans Boot External Toe Cap

These interesting specimens are very similar to the exposed-cap miners’ boots reportedly worn by some early skinheads. Would I wear these? No. Would someone wear these? Who knows, but I figured I’d mention them anyway.

Red Wing Iron Ranger

This gorgeous boot is as far from traditional skinhead clobber as where it was born. According to the company’s website, the Iron Ranger was designed for coal miners in the American Midwest. Red Wing boots are beautifully made and their quality is second to none. Unfortunately so is the price. $329.99.

Corcoran Original Leather Jump Boots

Traditional paratrooper-style combat boots like these can be seen in some early images of skins. Not my style personally but these are by far the best I’ve seen. I’m not sure why, but as far as excessive eyelets go these somehow look less ridiculous than similarly-high Docs and Solos. Black: $159.99. Brown: $169.95.

In Search of Sta-Prest Alternatives

Authentic sta-prests are something of a unicorn in the bootboy world, a white whale of which wishful skinheads dream.

Many a modern retailer that capitalizes on mod and skinhead culture offer versions of “sta-prest” trousers. The Merc, Relco, and Brutus versions are, by all accounts, underwhelming at best. Overly modern and overly slim cuts are apparently the order of the day, to say nothing of the tales of infamously cheap construction.

As the reader may have guessed, yours truly has not personally tried any of these modern pseudo-sta-prests. Buying a pair of sta-prest from the triumvirate of mass mod retailers has always seemed pointless given their low reputation and the high cost of having them shipped to the states. Nor have I tried the more promising sta-prests from Jump the Gun in Brighton (though a pair are in the mail currently!).

But I digress. The point of this post is not to review modern trousers sold as sta-prest (though such a post will be forthcoming), but to suggest some available alternatives. The following trousers may not be sta-prest, but nevertheless they keep razor sharp creases are are sure to look boss with a freshly shined pair of boots or brogues.

Charles Tyrwhitt Flat Front Non-Iron Chinos

The most expensive trouser on the list. At just under $100 these bad boys aren’t cheap, but they look great, despite the admittedly modern silhouette. “Tailored from stretch cotton fabric for ease of movement, this style is also non-iron for a crease-free look. 95% cotton, 5% elastane. $99.

Land’s End Men’s Tailored Fit No Iron Twill Dress Pants

The 100% cotton offerings from Lands’ End aren’t a bad buy at under $50, and the “light stone” color that comes ever-so-close to the neutral sta-prests of olde is an added bonus. The Land’s End no iron chino is also worth checking out. Though it has an exposed button it comes in a wider variety of colours than the dress pant. No iron dress pant: $48.96. No iron chino: $38.46.

Dickie’s 874 Work Pant

The mighty Dickie’s. Reputedly a mainstay amongst American skinheads since the early ’80s, these beauties are easy on the eyes and wallet. Though heavier than traditional sta-prest, the 65% polyester/35% cotton blend guarantees razor-sharp creases. Available in a wide variety of colours and for only $22.99 a pair, they’re hard to resist. There’s a slimmer version available which may give a slightly better profile against your boots but comes at the cost of having a rise below the waist.