100 Years of Equestrian-Chic

E. Vogel Custom Boots

September saw the eagerly anticipated return of the popular period drama television series Downton Abbey, marking the third season of the upstairs/downstairs stories from our favourite countryside manse. Not coincidentally, perhaps, is the fact that in autumn’s fashion forecast – almost a century after the DA years – period clothing is majorly en vogue.

There’s brocade and baroque aplenty, a revival of capes and cloaks, and most importantly for putting that fashionable foot forward – equestrian-inspired boots for both ladies and gents, a seasonal staple that ticks boxes for both ‘trendy’ and ‘timeless’.

In downtown New York, shoemakers at family-run E. Vogel have been crafting handmade, custom equestrian-chic boots since 1897 – long before they became a trend of the 21st century. Worn by the Olympic US Equestrian Teams, E. Vogel boots are fit for both historic huntsmen and urban rangers, as utilitarian as they are stylish.

To create your custom boot, choose from a wide range of styles from dressage to field to polo, pick the leather (imported French calfskin, baby calf, or saddle leather), colour, lining, soles, heels, and consider the whole host of add-ons like extra eyelets, buckles and special cuts. Even if you’re not planning to saddle up anytime soon, the baby calfskin leather (called ‘the cashmere of the boot industry’) is the perfect pick for days spent hacking the city streets.