Everything You Need To Know About The Clarks Desert Boot

The Clarks Desert Boot is just about as good as it gets when its comes to cool looking footwear, subculture, music, Britishness & everything else in between.

If ain't broke, don't fix it. A phrase that couldn't sum up the Clarks Desert Boot better if it tried. A relatively simple shoe design that is now knocking on 70 years old still hasn't lost its kerb appeal, nor has it really changed since it first came on the scene all the way back in the 1950s. The thing is what could you really change about the Desert Boot to make it any better than it already is? Probably not much. The Desert Boot is just one of them timeless footwear styles that will always look great with a pair of jeans. Kind of like the adidas Samba trainer equivalent of the shoe world, the Desert Boot might now officially be at the 'free bus pass' age but its coolness and overall appeal will never fade away. Above: "Before we defeated the Desert Fox we defeated the desert." An original advert for the Clarks Desert Boot from the 1950s. The Clarks Desert Boot represents the very core of cool Britannia. Think Union Jack clad scooters, dapperly dressed Mods & Liam Gallagher having it large with some photographers & you're probably about there. The Desert Boots' origins though are a far cry away from the phet fuelled all nighters of London in the 1960s. It was actually an imported shoe from Egypt by none other than Nathan Clark himself. Whilst away on military service in Burma, Clark saw soldiers wearing the iconic crepe soled boot as part of their uniform. Designed for desert use, hence the name, the desert boot was super comfy but strong enough to battle the harsh desert conditions. Clark found a supplier of the shoe in Cairo and decided to buy some stock to trial in the UK. The rest is history. Above: The Clarks Originals Desert Boot in cola suede now available from 80s Casual Classics. The slightly smarter sibling of the Wallabee, the Desert Boot holds a certain panache that other shoes just can't compete with. Whereas the Wallabee was a great alternative during the Madchester era of 'no trainers' nightclub policies, the Desert Boot has always maintained its Mod identity. Worn by a range of style savvy film & music icons from Steve McQueen to Oasis, the Desert Boot has become an icon of subculture, music, Britishness & everything else in between. Above: The Clarks Originals Desert Boot in black suede now available from 80s Casual Classics. The British icon now arrives at 80s Casual Classics in a selection of classic colourways such as cola suede & black. Featuring soft suede uppers & the signature crepe sole, the Desert Boot will add a touch of class to any outfit. Great for them slightly smarter 'casual' occasions, the Desert Boot is finished off with the famous lace tags which are instantly recognisable by those in the know. Shop the original crepe soled boot now at 80s Casual Classics via the links.