The Chelsea boot has been a popular choice for footwear ever since Queen Victoria’s shoemaker patented the design for the new-fangled ankle boots in 1851. (Her majesty wore them daily, it was said.)
With their elastic gussets, waterproof Chelsea boots are an easy-on, easy-off choice for garden footwear. We’ve rounded up 10 favorite pairs stylish enough to wear even when you’re not planning to tromp through muck:
Above: A pair of waterproof leather Women’s Thermal Boots is lined with Thinsulate (a synthetic fiber insulation) for warmth; $224.94 from Blundstone.
Above: A pair of Lela Chelsea Boots has a waterproof corrugated vulcanized rubber outsole; $550 from Phillip Lim.
Above: Tretorn’s Chelsea Rain Boot has faux-fur lining and a 1-inch heel; $99.95 at Nordstrom.
Above: Available in dark olive as shown (and in six other colors), Women’s Original Gloss Chelsea Boots are $135.
Above: Ilse Jacobsen’s clunky-chic, completely vegan Short Waterproof Rain Boot is handcrafted using natural rubber from renewable resources.; $218.95 at Nordstrom.
Above: Swims’ minimalist Charlie Boot has a jaunty orange loop at the back of each shoe. It’s available in navy (shown), black, and taupe; $120.
Above: From Hunter, the Original Waterproof Chelsea Rain Boot is available in four colors including black as shown here and in the top photo. “In hot or humid weather, natural latex rubber releases a protective wax film; simply wipe it off with a damp cloth,” notes the manufacturer; $135 from Nordstrom.
Above: Everlane’s Rain Boot comes in five colors, including this olive green; $75.
Above: A pair of waterproof rubber Chooka Bainbridge Chelsea Ankle Boots is $65 from Zappos.
Above: J.Crew’s version of the Chelsea Rain Boot is $68. It comes in matte black (shown) and olive.
See more garden footwear (and fashion) in our recently 10 Easy Pieces archives. Read more: