Our feet are the main building blocks of our bodies, so we should naturally strive to keep them healthy and happy. Poorly chosen footwear can not only result in foot pain but also bad posture, back pain and even long-term damage. When choosing footwear, it’s important to look for reliable brands. Thomas Cook is a widely popular footwear brand that’s provided stylish and comfortable shoes for a century.
Company Origins
The story begins with the orphaned 16-year-old Thomas Cook who moved to Melbourne with the dream of becoming a boxer. However, fate had different plans for him. Instead, he got into the shoemaking business and founded his own company in 1924. Over the years, this brand became a symbol for endurance, hard work and tradition, which we can see in Thomas Cook’s famous quote “My name is on the line”. Being inspired by hardworking Aussie cattlemen, it seemed only fitting to choose the silhouetted man on a horse as their logo. This was taken from the movie “The Man from Snowy River 2” for which they provided all clothing and footwear. Murray Cook – the latest in line to lead the company, continues to maintain Thomas Cook’s trademark style and quality.
Footwear for any Occasion
Thomas Cook originally manufactured country footwear, but soon expanded with clothing. Eventually, they adapted their models to match the versatile lifestyles of Australian people. If you’re a fan of the country style, but want to look simple and sophisticated at the same time, then this is the perfect brand for you. The Thomas Cook of today offers a wide range of footwear for men, women and children. They include slip-on, lace-up shoes, as well as Thomas Cook men’s boots for different occasions.
- Slip-on shoes – suitable for spring, summer, or even the warmer months of autumn. Their minimalistic comfortable style makes them ideal for casual gatherings with friends.
- Lace-up shoes – another casual choice for the warmer months, including a non-slip outsole, leather lining and laces.
Boots
Chelsea Boots
The men’s Thomas Cook boots are the main star of their footwear line. They range from casual to office wear and models suitable for outdoor work, however, their main focus are the stylish Chelsea boots. We’re all familiar with this popular boot model. They’re ankle-high, tight-fitting, leather boots with elastic side panels that eliminate the need for a zipper or laces. They’re made even easier to pull on with the additional loop of fabric at the back. These shoes surprisingly date back to the Victorian era and were originally designed by Queen Victoria’s shoemaker Joseph Sparkes Hall.
As time went on, they grew in popularity, especially for horse riding and walking. A variation of the Chelsea boot was created for the Beatles in the 1960s that included Cuban heels and pointed toes. Their name is inherited by their popularity in Chelsea – an affluent district in Central London. Both men and women adopted them in their wardrobes as fashionable and functional pieces of footwear. Thomas Cook’s variation of the Chelsea boot adds a familiar country feel to the popular design. They also include a durable rubber sole, genuine welt construction and an additional front fabric loop.
How to Style Your Chelsea Boots?
To achieve a flawless look, you’ll need to properly style a pair of Chelsea Thomas Cook men’s boots. One of the easiest ways is by combining them with a pair of slim-fit jeans. The most stylish combination is black Chelsea boots with black slim-fit jeans. But if your style gravitates more to the classic blue jeans – lighter brown boots go well with darker blue jeans, while dark brown boots are usually paired with light blue jeans.
We’re most meticulous when choosing formal wear. Sometimes the shoes don’t match with the suit, and other times they’re too stiff and uncomfortable. Chelsea boots are comfortable, practical and also suitable as formal footwear. The same colour matching of the boots and jeans can apply to suits as well. No matter how you style them, it’s important that you take good care of your boots to make sure they last. You can do this by using a good quality leather cleaner or a boot care kit.
Apart from being a stylish asset to your wardrobe, Chelsea boots are also essential that will keep your feet warm during the cold winter months.
Rubber Shoes
Thomas Cook has taken extra care to design practical waterproof footwear for both agricultural and outdoor pursuits. For this reason, they’ve designed quality gumboots and their more stylish alternative – the froggers. These Thomas Cook men’s boots are made from a quality rubber with neoprene lining and can be used for various purposes. They’re usually worn to protect your feet during heavy showers when walking on puddles or wet and muddy ground but can also serve as sturdy waterproof work shoes. Mineworkers commonly wear them for protection against mud and grime, they’re a common piece of equipment in food processing plants and for horticultural and agricultural work.
Thomas Cook’s children gumboots come in trendy and colourful designs, providing your child with sufficient protection on rainy days and a new favourite pair of boots to match their colourful personality.
How to Choose the Right Pair of Shoes?
Shopping for shoes is best done in person, where you can try them out and choose the right pair, as ill-fitted shoes can often damage your feet. However, even if you’re shopping online, there are ways to ensure you’re getting the right shoe size. First, make sure the company has a return policy, so you can return the product if you’re not 100% happy with it or it’s the wrong size for you. If you’re not sure about your shoe size – use a sizing guide that’s available on most websites. Using a sizing guide is important as different companies use different lasts (a form that the shoe is modelled around), so for example, size 9 will always differ from one retailer to another. Reviews on your desired model can often tell you if the shoe runs big or small, and there’s often in-between sizes you can choose from to get a perfect fit. Lastly, keep in mind the weather conditions in which you’ll be wearing them. For example, leather shoes aren’t fully waterproof and can potentially get damaged by rain.