Trendsetter | Timberland Boots: The Perfect Work Shoe with Sartorial tailoring.
Timberlands have been a staple in American fashion for years. They are perfect for work, as they are both comfortable and durable. However, many people are unsure of how to style Timberlands with other pieces of clothing. In this blog post, we will explore the different ways that you can wear Timberland boots with a suit or blazer. We will also discuss the history and brand of Timberlands.
Want to learn more about different types of comfortable work shoes and boots? Check out our full guide to Italian-style work shoes here.
If you're interested in more Italian-made or Italian-inspired clothing and brands, check out our full brand list and our full list of Italian clothing.
The Timberland Brand
Founded in Abington, Massachusetts in 1952 by Nathan Swartz - The company has quickly become a staple of not only physical work and leisure activities but also a general fashion piece. Swartz was an American shoemaker and businessman, born to a poor Jewish family - whose family fled the Russian Empire in 1902. Just like any Italian company, it remained a distinctly family affair for a long time. In 1998 Nathan's grandson Jeffrey Swartz became the CEO of the company - scaling the company into the 21st century before selling it in 2011 to VF Corporation.
The company is known for its outdoorsy clothing, which includes footwear. It has also become a mainstay in urban attire because of how comfortable and durable the product can be perfect to wear while walking around town or going on vacation! Today you'll find their products all across North America from coast-to-coast including Los Angeles County where they're headquartered along with New York City.
Are Timberlands worth it?
Timberland's shoes can seem expensive for some people - but the price tag is very much worth it. The main reason for this is that they will last a long time, and allow you to comfortably do more work. It is, in this way, an investment. On average you can expect a pair of Timberlands to last at least 5 years, even with heavy use.
One potential drawback of these superb work boots is that sometimes the sole starts to wear down after a few years. This can cause an imbalance in the step and is quite hard to fix. Shoes are notoriously difficult to get fixed, especially if the sole is beginning to rub down.
How to style Timberlands
The iconic Yellow Timberland hue is not only a fantastic shade, but also goes with a lot of sartorial fashion, such as suits, blazers, dress pants, and more. Not only that - but you can also pick yourself up a pair of Timberland boat shoes from IsuiT today - further adding to the potential style opportunities you can experience with this brand.
Can you wear Timberlands with a suit?
Kiton or Cesare Attolini would both be good pairings to go with Timberlands boots or boat shoes. Maybe you've read another one of my trendsetting articles where I talk about the power of sneakers and suits together - this look is very similar. The idea is to have something on your feet that stands out, but stands out in a good way and not a bad way. Another original look would be to wear Timberland boat shoes without socks and to wear them with a suit also.
Try to break any patterns by wearing something like a plain stripped suit with a pair of Timberlands. Also a solid suit will go well with them. The idea is to make your feet stand out, and to have the rest of your look stylish and formal. Although this may seem strange in your head, in practice it's a refined look that exudes style and class.
Are Timberlands waterproof?
Yes - to a certain point - Timberlands are waterproof. What does to a certain point mean exactly? For your average, run-of-the-mill hike in the rain and mud, the boots will perform as a waterproof alternative to traditional hiking boots. However - if you're really going over the top (and limit testing the waterproof abilities of Timberland) you may find that some water gets into your socks.
But, in general, Timberlands are considered to be waterproof.
Are Timberlands good for snow?
Just as they are waterproof, they're also good for snow. Their tread allows a good amount of grip during slippy weather, their comfort allows you to walk for long distances without too much trouble (although they are considered to be quite heavy), and as mentioned before they are waterproof. This makes them perfect for snow, especially something like winter camping or walking through some snow.
Are Timberlands good for hiking?
While they can definitely be hiked in, it's not recommended that you complete an entire 5-day hike with a pair of Timberlands. This is because they are not actually designed to be hiking boots, but they are designed for other things. They lack key parts of hiking boots such as:
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Comfort
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Support
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Cushion
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Overall build
Are Timberlands good for walking all day?
This may seem like a strange question, after the last question, but the fact that they are good for walking all day but not for hiking makes sense if you understand what hiking actually means. In terms of standing on your feet all day and walking around, Timberlands are perfect. They just aren't the best hiking shoe on the market.
Why are Timberlands so popular?
The main reason is that they are so versatile. If you buy a normal pair of hiking boots - you cannot wear them in an urban setting. It's strange to have the ability to both allow you to walk in the snow and also go to a bar. One of the other reasons that these boots are so popular is their yellow hue. Just like Dr. Martens with their oxblood coloring, Timberland has a very specific shade of yellow which they have become famous for and allows them to do very cheap advertising because they stand out.
Word of mouth is one of the strongest ways of advertising, and therefore having something to talk about like a shade of yellow can go a long way. Not only this, but the color is distinctive enough to instantly say "there's a pair of Timberland boots - and damn they look good."
Which timberlands should I get?
There are many styles and colors of Timberlands. Our lead stylists have chosen the following 5 styles, based on a range of factors:
The choice is simple - you must ask yourself why you are buying these boots. If you're buying them purely for work, and you're looking for something comfortable to stand in all day and also do some physical activity, then you should definitely choose the Timberland boots. The color is purely subjective, but remember that black is one of the most versatile colors there is (because it basically goes with every other color)
If you're looking for something more casual, then the Larchmont brown boots from Timberland are a great choice. They are still boots, but they have a lower shaft. This gives you less protection from things like snow, but these boots are a great option for urban wearers who don't like the distinct work boot style.
Finally, if you want something which is more akin to a sneaker (and yet much more formal, without being overly formal) a great choice would be the 3 Eye boat shoes. Coming in black and tan - these boat shoes are incredibly comfortable and look exceptionally stylish. They can be styled in many different ways, and we love the new looks you can experiment with these shoes.
Timberland Sizing
Timberland sizing is slightly complex, mainly due to the huge amount of shoe sizes available in the world. However, it is known that Timberland "runs big." This means if you're a size 9, maybe consider getting a size 8.5 instead.
The absolute worst thing you can do is go hiking or work a day on your feet with a pair of boots or a pair of shoes that are too small or too big. This causes blisters, and other problems, and should be avoided at all costs.
The best thing to do is to get wherever you are buying your Timberland boots from to measure them compared to another pair of boots you own. Although not all shops offer this service, here at IsuiT we take customer care incredibly seriously, and therefore please contact the live chat if you would like some measurements taken.
Get a pair of Timberlands today - only at IsuiT - Italian Luxury
