16 January, 2026, 11:10 pm Central - 24°C Rain

The boot that’s survived 70 years of fashion trends

The boot that’s survived 70 years of fashion trends

By fijivillage
16/06/2020
Clarks Original Desert Boot. [image: ELLE.com]

We wouldn’t be surprised if the current time period, specifically the late 2010s to the early 2020s, is one day branded as the age of comebacks.

From ’90s revivals to the return of questionable early-aughts trends—to this season’s continuing ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s renaissance—the fashion industry has been heavy-handedly leaning into the culture’s growing obsession with nostalgia in recent years.

But as old trends boomerang back into relevancy once more, some classic styles never left to begin with.

Among this echelon of enduring designs is one of the most recognizable boots in existence: the consistently ubiquitous Clarks Original Desert Boot.

Still one of today’s go-to shoe styles, the boot is celebrating its 70th birthday this year (believe it or not). For perspective, that legacy places the desert boot in an elite club of iconic, persistently-popular styles that includes a 65-year-old quilted status handbag, America's 150-year-old OG jeans—and a rare few others.

So what exactly is the secret to the decades-long success of the desert boot? Honestly, nothing more than design basics: It’s simple (made up of only two pieces of leather and a flexible crepe sole), versatile, and high quality for its accessible price.

And in part because of the shoe's pared-down make and look, we could wax poetic about the many ways to successfully style it.

Nowadays we have the luxury of being able to buy the Clarks Original Desert Boot in a few bolder colorways than the neutral-only offerings of the past.

They don’t feel like a major investment, but still deliver like one because their leather only looks better with age.

Shop our favorite pairs above; since the hall-of-fame style will likely be around for another 70 years, it’s pretty safe to say they’re a purchase that’ll be well worth it. And in part because of the shoe's pared-down make and look, we could wax poetic about the many ways to successfully style it

[Source: ELLE.com]

FEATURE NEWS
6 in custody including 4 South American nationals after seizure of more than 100 bags of cocaine
Four South American nationals and two Fijians are in police custody following an early morning drug raid in Vatia waters, north of Viti Levu, between ...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
New $7M project aims to strengthen women’s resilience in the Pacific
Oxfam in the Pacific has today launched the Pacific Oceanic Women Enhancing Resilience Project and has received $7 million from the Government of ...
6 hours ago

Three juveniles identified for Nabua motorcycle incident
Three juveniles aged 15 and 13 have been identified for allegedly throwing water at a motorcyclist, resulting in an accident in Nabua on ...
7 hours ago

Investigation ongoing for Walu Bay fuel spill
Outgoing Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu says the investigation into the fuel leak at Walu Bay that happened earlier this ...
7 hours ago

296 lives lost on Fiji’s roads in five years
296 people have died on Fiji’s roads over the past five years.Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Aporosa Lutunauga presented the figures at the ...
7 hours ago

Alleged Top Shop robbery case sent back to Magistrates Court
The case of alleged Raiwai Top Shop robbers has been transferred back to the Magistrates Court by High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar.23-year-old ...
8 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
14 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
25 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
25 days ago

TOP