Raising Heel: The Best Chelsea Boots at Any Budget

This feature originally appears in .

This is the year of the Chelsea boot, and if you haven’t quite hopped on the trend yet, consider this your signal to officially get on board. You still get a late pass, though. Whether you opt for the classic elastic upper of a Chelsea boot or the strapped-up look of a Jodhpur, the upscale appeal is the same across the board—it’s a grown-up shoe that looks as good with a pair of ripped, washed denim and a white T-shirt as it does with a crisp pair of slim-fitting trousers and a suit jacket. When it comes to materials, suede is the classier option, though it requires more upkeep than smooth leather. Either way, the added ankle height won’t just help your vertical; it’ll take your style way, way, way up, too.

Above (left to right):

Saint Laurent by Hedi Slimane, $895, available at ysl.com

Christian Louboutin, $1,195, available at us.christianlouboutin.com

Aquatalia, $450, available at aquatalia.com

Bally, $995, available at bally.com

Tommy Hilfiger, $279, available at tommy.com

Common Projects, $530, available at commonprojects.com

Tommy Hilfiger, $279, available at tommy.com

Common Projects, $530, available at commonprojects.com