Blundstone is a shoe brand originating in Tasmania, Australia. Its roots lie in an imported shoe store started by the Blundstone couple, who immigrated from Britain in the 1870s. In the 1940s, it became a supplier of boots to the Australian Army, and when its side-gore boots appeared in the 1960s and became a huge hit, it became recognized as a leading shoemaker in its home country. At ISETAN MEN'S we believe that these side-gore boots are the epitome of what is realistic for footwear in today's era, where the lines between dressy and casual are blurred.

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▼ 1. From Australia! What are these classic side-gore boots that can be worn in any situation?
▼ 2. Blundstone's proud selection of 3 types of side-gore boots
▼ 3. Three styles covering everything from formal to casual.

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Tomoyasu Tabata

Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , B1F = Men's shoe buyer. 14 years with the company, 13 of which have been in charge of men's shoes. Previous positions include buyer for local stores and private brands, and sales manager.

From Australia! A long-established brand of side-gore boots that can be worn in any situation.

When you hear the term "side-gore boots," you probably think of Chelsea boots, a staple of 1960s British Mod style and a favorite of the Beatles. These boots, with elastic on the sides for easy on and off, have a slim, plain-toe silhouette, and for good reason: they originated in the 19th century as ladies' boots made for Queen Victoria. They are a prime example of dress boots, even suitable for wearing with a tie and suit.

Slim, smart, high-heeled side-gore boots have a long history and tradition in the UK, giving them the impression of being classic footwear for the aristocracy, the wealthy, and urban dwellers. However, Blundstone's side-gore boots are designed for a wider range of occasions. For people working in Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, they are comfortable work shoes that can be worn in the office, and in Byron Bay, a mecca for surfers and hippies from all over the world, they are daily shoes that can be worn in any setting, from the beach to the city.


"It's a major brand in its home country of Australia. It falls into the category of all-occasion boots that excel in both functionality and versatility. They're useful not only on well-maintained city sidewalks, but also in Australia, where you can walk on dusty and muddy rough terrain just a 30-minute drive away. It's been about half a century since they made classic side-gore boots their main collection, but their 150-year history since its founding is well-deserved."

Recommended by Tomoyasu Tabata, men's shoe buyer Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F. He says that after actually trying them on, he realized that they fulfill the three keywords of functionality, comfort, and design.


"The front and back pull straps make them easy to put on and take off, the injection molding process integrates the upper and sole to prevent water from seeping in through the seams, and the insole has a shape that fits snugly to the sole of your foot. The outsole uses a rugged sole with high grip, which is also in the realm of high-performance shoes. Moreover, the heel of the cup insole uses a high-performance cushioning material, so comfort has also been pursued, and the look is somewhere between a town shoe and an outdoor shoe, so it can be coordinated with a wide range of outfits, from jeans to jacket and trousers."

In recent years, the lines between dressy and casual have blurred, making it common to pair suits with sneakers or boots, or to wear dress slip-ons with casual styles. Tabata predicts that Blundstone will fit perfectly into this trend.


"Currently, sales of slip-ons and loafers have increased by 130% in the last five years, and boots are quietly gaining popularity among early adopters. Jodhpur boots and lace-up boots, which can be worn for both business and casual occasions, are difficult to put on and take off, making them hard to grasp in Japan's culture where people often take off their shoes. In that respect, Blundstone's side-gore boots feel like slip-ons. They should be a good fit for Japanese people who are used to taking off their shoes when entering raised seating areas or tatami rooms, or when visiting someone's home."

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▼ 1. From Australia! What are these long-established side-gore boots that can be worn in any situation?
▼ 2. Blundstone's proud selection of 3 types of side-gore boots
▼ 3. Three styles covering everything from formal to casual.

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