Are chukka boots too casual?

[nmoraitis]

I have a question for everyone. Are chukka boots too casual for a grey flannel suit? I was thinking of getting the CT suede chukkas and I was planning on wearing them with the aforementioned suit or with a tweed blazer and grey flannel pants. Any thoughts?

I wear a size 8UK in JL Chelmer (not sure the last). Should I go with a size 8.5US or 9US for the CT chukka? Thanks in advance!

 

[tsherry]

I wear a US 12 D in almost everything (except 11 1/2 C in Alden 986 and 684).
I picked up a pair of the CT suede chukkas recently and ordered a US 11 after reading a lot of input on this forum (try the search for the CT sale thread; it was a really long one). They shipped a UK 10 1/2 which fits perfectly. Seems like you go down a full size for the CT (Loakes) rather than 1/2 size as for other English shoes.

And no, I wouldn't wear them with a suit, but certainly would with a tweed jacket and flannels.

 

[Get Smart]

in my book chukkas are great with suits. The suede makes them seem more casual, so if you're not wearing them in a formal environment I say go for it. But if they were calf I think they could even function in more conservative situations as well, depending on the boot...

worn with tweed jacket and flannels is a given

 

[retronotmetro]

Depends on the chukkas, the suit, and the look you are going for.

I wear my brown shell cordovan Polo McCallum chukkas with flannel suits pretty frequently during the winter. That probably pushes the envelope of being too casual a shoe (due to the extended welt and Dainite soles) but I think it works OK, and the McCallum is a great shoe for rain wear. At the same time, I won't wear the McCallums with a worsted suit because the shoes are just too heavy looking.

 

[JLibourel]

Chukkas are a perfect match with a tweed jacket and flannel pants, as others have said.

I have two pairs of chukkas--the A-E Stanford in suede with a rubber sole and a pair from Faconnable in a chili calfskin with a shallow-lugged "commando"-type sole. I wouldn't wear either of them with a suit. A more refined, leather-soled chukka might be okay with a suit, but I still see it as little on the daring side. I wouldn't wear chukkas to a job interview, for example.

 

[Jared]

Chukkas are basically extended bluchers and therefore in violation of the only-balmorals-with-suits rule? Of course, if you're even asking about them, then I suppose you're knowledgable enough to disregard that rule... I wonder: are chelseas the ankle-boot extension of balmorals or loafers? (And if loafers, what is the extension of balmorals?)

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by Get Smart

in my book chukkas are great with suits. The suede makes them seem more casual, so if you're not wearing them in a formal environment I say go for it. But if they were calf I think they could even function in more conservative situations as well, depending on the boot...

worn with tweed jacket and flannels is a given
Definitely OK with a suit. Grey flannel is pretty casual anyway.

 

[grimslade]

Originally Posted by Jared

I wonder: are chelseas the ankle-boot extension of balmorals or loafers? (And if loafers, what is the extension of balmorals?)

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by grimslade

Thanks, grimslade; Lobb calls these "Oxford boots", right?

 

[nmoraitis]

Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated!