J.Crew Didn’t Mess Around With Its New R.M. Williams Collab

These limited-edition Chelseas are the best new boots we’ve seen in a while

J.Crew R.M. Williams Gifford boots
J.Crew's exclusive version of the R.M. Williams Gifford deserves a spot in your closet.
J.Crew

If you came across the new Chelsea boots J.Crew recently released with R.M. Williams while scrolling on your phone, you’d be forgiven for not stopping. At first glance, these aren’t as immediately exciting as most footwear collaborations these days. There’s no garish color, no zany pattern, no on-sale date and time after which they’ll be sold out in under five minutes.

However, despite their appearance — a standard pair of brown leather boots — from where we’re standing they’re the best release we’ve seen in a long time (and not just because we’ve now been trudging around in winter stompers for months). 

Anyone who owns a pair of R.M. Williams shoes can attest to their quality, but what we like specifically about the Gifford model is that it acts as a middle ground between the Australian brand’s toughest designs and its daily wears. Storm welt around three-fourths of the shoe (the seal you see running between the upper and the sole)? Functional. High quality leather in brown or bark (which is only available at J.Crew)? Stylish. Double tabs at the top with the classic script? Stylish and functional. You get it.

Maybe the best thing about these is that they’re still made in Australia. Unfortunately you can’t score J.Crew’s current discount on these — but you can rest assured that no corners were cut here, which can’t be said of most so-called heritage boots these days.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.