Desert Boots exemplified the relaxed fashion of the 70’s & they were the perfect footwear to compliment our flared jeans & cheesecloth tops! When new, they looked quite smart, but as they got worn in, rained on & beautifully comfortable, they didn’t age well.
Smart, new desert boots
They very soon lost their shape & colour & fast became an eye sore to our parents, but not to us! The older & shabbier they were, the more comfortable they became & fitted your foot like an old pair of jeans!
My High School allowed us to wear these with our winter school uniforms. Cord trousers, skivvies, V Neck School Jumpers & Desert boots were very cool! I don’t think they were ever officially part of the school uniform, but every kid wore them and the school seemed powerless to make us wear the dreaded black leather school shoe, so I think they probably just gave in & put up with it. I do remember some teachers wearing them also, so I guess that helped our case!
Desert boots and corduroy Levi bell bottoms and matched jacket. O yes 1970
Purchased the Clark version of the dessert boot. I agree, they do not fit the same way. The sole is stiffer and they are heavier.
These were also popular in southern Africa in the 70s.
Many of the army wore these in the bush instead of the heavier leather boots.
We used to pronounce them “Fellies”, short for Veldskoen (bush shoes).
If you are after a pair, I see that there is a UK website using the same name that sells SA-made Veldskoen.
I agree Dexter! I wore desert boots all through high school with my flared jeans. Wish I could find a brand that fit me the same as these did.
That is the original desert boot that I remember. Not the shit that they pass if today.