SHOP $395, drakes.com
Welcome to The Esquire Endorsement. Heavily researched. Thoroughly vetted. These picks are the best way to spend your hard-earned cash.
It will probably not come as a shock to you to hear that there's something of a cult of personality around James Bond. Sure, he's fictional. And yes, he's an oftentimes-ruthless agent of state violence, sanctioned by queen and country to carry out the kinds of hits that take place as far from official prying eyes as possible. But he's so damn charming while he does his dirty deeds! Plus, and no one's gonna argue this point, the dude is stylish.
Bond knows how to wear the hell out of everything from a tux to a tactical vest, and in his most recent incarnation, as played by Daniel Craig, he's perhaps the most accessible avatar of super-spy style the long-running franchise has offered up to the general public. So when, during the filming of No Time to Die, photographers captured shots of Craig in a tan corduroy suit by Massimo Alba and some sumptuous chocolate-brown chukkas by Drake's, people took notice.
It was a new vibe for 007, the kind of thing even those without a license to kill could carry off. And while you'd do well to outfit yourself in either the suit or the shoes, with still-in-lockdown casual style and the height of sticky summer weather colliding at the moment, let's take a closer look at the chukkas that you can wear with everything from shorts to (should the occasion call for it) tailoring—but probably shorts.
Yes, they're great for summer.
You ever notice how high-top sneakers look really good with shorts? Say, on someone like a certain iconic basketball player with a whole line named after him? Well, the same is true for chukka boots. I know, I know...the word "boots" sounds imposing, if not downright unpleasant, in the summer. But these aren't your typical boots. They're relatively low-slung, made from suede, and perfectly at-home in the heat. Try 'em with chino shorts and a lightweight, white button-down. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, maybe a little seersucker. Come evening, throw 'em on with your most summer-friendly jeans. They might just surprise you (but don't say I didn't warn you).
SHOP $395, drakes.com
They're made to the highest standards.
About that suede I mentioned earlier: It's soft. Like, the kind of suede you feel compelled to use the word "buttery" to describe, even though, if you think about it, "buttery" is a weird word to use to describe leather. Never mind that! Just focus on how nice it feels! And then think about strolling comfortably around while riding on those bouncy, crepe rubber soles. The Crosby is made in Italy, using the kinds of materials and built to the kind of standard that's given the country a well-deserved reputation for doing it right when it comes to footwear.
They're easy to wear all year long.
So, you know these boots will work in the summer. But, like all good "investment" pieces, they're not a one-trick pony. They'll also look great with everything from flannel trousers to heavyweight denim when the world cools off a bit. Plus, they can adapt to their environment. Put them on with that denim and they'll feel a little more rugged, especially with their moccasin-style toe stitching and heavier sole. Switch it up with a suit, and suddenly they feel more refined—the not-so-precious element that can still hang with the fancy stuff but knocks the stuffing out of the whole outfit. In other words, you can wear 'em with pretty much everything in your closet. And you just might want to.
SHOP $395, drakes.com
