Leather or suede, almost knee-high or firm at the ankle, with or without a heel. The men's boot has a thousand faces. A versatile but always comfortable footwear that never goes out of fashion. This is the secret of its success and its long history, which starts from Paleolithic man, crosses the encampments of ancient soldiers and arrives to the rock of the Beatles.
The history of boots, from the Paleolithic to the Beatles
The boot is, since time immemorial, the quintessential men's footwear. Its history has such ancient roots that it allows for a statement that may seem paradoxical but is actually true: man was born with boots, or nearly so. On the other hand, is it possible to imagine a more protective and comfortable footwear than a boot? A very special shoe, capable of embracing foot and calf. That's why, as early as the Paleolithic era, humans began wrapping their legs, from the foot to just below the knee, with animal skins. Rough ancestors of boots, these primitive footwear protected against the harshness of the ground and the cold.
Man was born with boots, therefore, and then continued to walk in them. The most important peoples of antiquity have always shown a love of boots. Sumerian soldiers wore them, depicted in a great many bas-reliefs from Mesopotamia and emulated, centuries later, by ancient Roman gladiators and Greek leaders. Indeed, the military sphere has always been the preferred theater for the evolution of the boot, the quintessential battle footwear.
The transition from military to trendy shoe, however, occurred from the mid-1800s onward. The credit, according to the most reliable historical reconstructions, went to the trusted shoemaker of Queen Victoria, ruler of the United Kingdom. With such a famous sponsor, success was assured. Not surprisingly, for decades, ankle boots were the most fashionable footwear among the aristocrats of Europe. They remained at the center of men's fashion until World War I, then they were sidelined for a while. It did not take them long, however, to regain the limelight: in the 1960s they became the shoe of the new generation in search of freedom, a symbol of rebellion worn even by the Beatles.
To every style its ankle boot
The success of boots, in addition to their unquestionable comfort, lies in their versatile character and ability to adapt to different looks, both elegant and sporty. Among the most popular models, there is definitely one that suits you!
The timeless Chelsea Boots
They are so famous that they have now become the almost universal synonym for the word ankle boot. They are indeed the ones invented in the 1800s by Queen Victoria's shoemaker. And they are still the ones chosen by John Lennon and Paul McCartney to take the stage during the Beatles' tours. Their distinguishing feature is the side elastic, which makes them extremely practical to wear. In its collection of ankle boots, Saveone offers a wide selection of Chelsea Boots, made of leather with Italian craftsmanship. Shoes with soft and delicate lines but strong personality.
The gritty Chukkas
Chukka is the name by which the Desert Boots, designed in the house of Clarks, are known. Extremely popular and versatile, they are inspired by the footwear worn by British soldiers engaged, in the 1940s, in Burma. Desert boots, to enable the military to withstand very difficult conditions, were lightweight and comfortable.
Sporty Biker Boots and Hiking Boots
The sportier souls can choose between two types of boots. Biker Boots are those most loved by bikers, while Hiking Boots, designed for mountain enthusiasts, trace the shape and style of hiking boots, adapting it, however, to city life.
