For a menswear staple, the Chelsea Boot has a rather unique origin story, dating back to the Victorian era—and to Queen Victoria herself.

Originally called the Paddock Boot, the silhouette was first created by Victoria’s cobbler, J. Sparkes-Hall, in 1851. Designed as a walking and riding boot, the Paddock’s major design feature was the introduction of the elastic ankle, which made it easier to put on and remove.

A century later, the silhouette was co-opted by the hip, artsy crowd that had roots in London’s Chelsea neighborhood, before eventually making its way into the mainstream by way of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Mod culture throughout the United Kingdom.

By the 1960s, the Chelsea Boot, as it had come to be known, was a staple of British menswear and representative of a certain class reversal that was sweeping through the country: The Chelsea Boot had royal lineage, but found itself co-opted by counter-culture.

Today, the Chelsea Boot is as versatile a boot as any. It can be dressed up or down and paired with everything from well-worn jeans to a suit—worn to a cabin or to a cocktail. It all depends on which pair you pick up. In no particular order, here are 10 Chelsea Boots that range from the rugged to refined and should cover any look you’re trying to complete; these are the best chelsea boots for men.

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