White's Semi-Dress shoes were originally designed in the 1930's for desk workers looking for a light utility shoe that could be used during workdays spent on foot. These boots are made to do the job of both a work-boot and a dress shoe, allowing their wearers to move between rough streets and offices.
The thing with a pair of White's is that you have to try them to fully understand them. What we appreciate with White's is that they put as much care and effort to the inside as they do into a beautiful and well made outside. After all, it will be the inside that counts for you to get the best possible support when you wear them, and this achievement is something few other brands succeed with. The insole is built up of several layers of leather with the "Arch-ease" design - a signature of White's - meaning that they will give you a proper support during long hours of wear. A new pair of White's will let the leather insole adapt giving them a fit that is as good as molded to your feet after just a few weeks of wear.
Just as in the 1930's, these boots are made without the use of synthetic materials. They are hand welted, a technique that is considered one of the finest in shoe making. For this technique the shoemakers at White's use a thick "Irish Linen" thread to welt the uppers. In addition, instead of using a steel shank, White's makes use of a stacked leather shank, creating the distinct "bellowed waist" shape on the underside of the outsole.
The construction of these boots makes them easy to be rebuilt if needed - all parts except for the quarter can be easily replaced by sending the boots back to White's for repair. All of these aspects makes sure that a pair of White's will last for a very, very long time.
Since White's production is small-scale, every order placed there can be customized. On these boots we chose to go with a black dress leather for the upper known for it's ability to easily take a shine. A cuban heel helps in reducing heel wear. We have chosen a leather sole with oil-resistant Vibram 700 rubber half soles for the outsole, since we think it's best suitable for a Swedish climate whilst maintaining it's ability to be easily replaced.
White's sizing tends to be on the bigger side, so consider going down half a size compared to what you usually wear when ordering.
Please contact us for more information and sizing. We will be happy to help you out.
- White's Boots Semi-Dress
- Original Black
- Rubber Vibram 700 half soles
- Stacked leather shank
- D width - Leather insole
- Completely recraftable
- Double row hand-welted stitchdown construction
- Handcrafted in USA
