-SPECIAL- “HERMÈS” 1998-2003 Suede square toe chukka boots

From HERMÈS, whose origins lie in a saddlery workshop and who has carried forward to the present a deep understanding of materials and beauty born from practicality, we are pleased to present a refined suede boot that evokes the minimalist elegance of the Margiela era.

This piece uses a deep, rich dark brown suede and combines the straightforward silhouette of a chukka boot with a long-nosed square toe and a crepe sole, resulting in a casual style that nonetheless carries a highly refined sense of tension.

First impression is the sharp square toe that extends gracefully toward the tip, with its angular lines restrained in their rounding, lending a clean look to the foot while conveying the intellectual presence characteristic of luxury shoes from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.

The upper uses high-quality short-pile suede, and its surface develops soft creases and shading from wear, giving it a depth that cannot be achieved with a uniformly new appearance, as if the leather itself has absorbed time and possesses a quiet, restrained power.

The two-eyelet chukka boot silhouette is minimal in its construction, yet the opening from the collar to the vamp creates a natural ease, and the tan smooth leather lining peeks from inside, contrasting with the outer dark brown to impart Hermès-like refinement.

The sole uses natural rubber crepe, whose thick, soft texture produces a slight heel-down effect during walking, and in its practicality suited for everyday wear, it complements the dress-shoe-like uprightness.

There are neat stitches around the welt, supporting the suede’s softness while tightening the silhouette, and within the overall simplicity of the shoe you can sense the quality of its construction.

In terms of dating, the combination of the sharply elongated square-toe form, the dark brown suede upper, the natural crepe sole, and the tan leather lining aligns with the quiet casual-luxury context seen in HERMÈS from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, so it can be regarded as an example from around 1998 to 2003.

In particular, this period overlapped with the time when Martin Margiela was shaping Hermès's women's wear, wardrobes valued materials, construction, and the sense of distance from the body over ornate decoration. This boot, too, is not defined by a prominent logo or decoration, but by the suede texture, the contour of the square toe, and the practical beauty of the crepe sole, reflecting that era's unique charm.

As for condition, there are dark marks and wear on the crepe sole, but these are part of natural rubber's aging; the suede also shows a softened expression from wear, allowing you to enjoy the natural depth of a vintage shoe.

Styling-wise, pairing with wool slacks or drapey trousers accentuates the straight beauty of the square toe, bringing Hermès's quiet refinement into everyday wear. Alternatively, pairing with a long coat or a tailored jacket creates a subdued, intellectual mood reminiscent of Margiela's era, making this piece suitable for any gender and capable of elevating the outfit's sophistication from the feet up.

Please take this opportunity.