Desert Boots
While there are no deserts in England, there was a group of
style conscious youngsters who adopted Clarks' desert boot for
their mod uniform.
Clarks of England, the maker of rugged and stylish footwear
since the beginning of the 20th century, were behind the shoe of
choice for the trendsetting modernists.
The boot was simplistic but refined, with its ankle-high suede
topper and crepe rubber soles. The footwear was modelled after
boots found in a Cairo bazaar, and was celebrated for its sleek,
comfortable style.
Topped with soft but sturdy suede in dark neutral colours, the
desert boot was unlike anything seen before. The exotic look was
adopted by the Mods, and Clarks became the progenitors of mod shoe
style.
The desert boot protected feet and ankles from the heat of the
engine on the mods' scooters, yet still had style enough to burn.
The boot was lightweight, comfortable and durable, and looked
great with the slim cut suits, and conservative yet streamlined
image.
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