Protea
- Heeled Chelsea boot with elasticated side insert
- Hand stitched Yearling leather
- Front and back cotton pull-on tab
- Stacked Cuban heel with rubber grip
- Leather sole
- Internal lining for comfort and longevity
- Van Velze & Smith crest on sock and sole
The Story
The King Protea gives its name to our elegantly crafted and robust, Cuban heeled Chelsea boot. Known for its beauty and strength, the South African national flower stands out with its punchy pink tones and defiance against the ravaging wildfires of the Western Cape’s countryside.
Handcrafted with all the hallmarks of a traditional Chelsea boot, the Protea features a round toe, elasticated inserts and pull tabs. However, this sleek dress boot’s class is enhanced by the introduction of a stacked Cuban heel with rubber grip. The extra lift from the heel is perfectly promoted by a lowered height contour which seamlessly aligns with the ankle, whilst the innersole ensures uncompromising comfort. Empowering ease of movement, but with a sophisticated appeal, the leather sole of the Protea gives the classic Chelsea boot a luxurious spin in flawless Yearling leather.
The Chelsea Boot
The traditional Chelsea boot has been a firm fashion favourite across Britain for many decades and is a recognised wardrobe staple for everyone from country folk to city high-flyers. Its heritage dates to the Victorian era and even after nearly two hundred years, very little alteration has been made to its original design. Characterised by its tapered fit, elastic side panels, ankle height, and pull tabs, contemporary models rarely veer away from the ‘classic look’. Whilst the round toe styles give a more relaxed aesthetic, a pair with a sharp chiselled toe adds a smart allure: perfect for wearing with formalwear.
Cuban Heel
The Cuban heel is characterised by its slightly curved back, straight front, and medium height. It first made an appearance in Persia in the 9th century, but the most current design originated in 20th century England and has become an iconic feature in its own right. Its durability, stability, and style have made it a popular choice of heel across many professions.
Care & Repair
Whilst every mark on your VVS boots tells a story, caring for your boots is still important, so that when they’re perfectly moulded to your feet, they are still in great condition.
Boot Care
Use a soft brush to give the leather a light buffing and to remove any loose dirt or salt particles which can cause damage over time.
Whilst visible dirt and salt can harm leather, dry conditions are leather’s ‘silent killer’. When the natural moisture escapes under dry conditions, the fibrous interweave will start to weaken and visible cracks form. By conditioning your boots before use with a good leather conditioner or balm and then always keeping the leather supple, you can avoid this sad tragedy. With the addition of waterproofing spray, this will allow your boots to retain their water resistance.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery
We offer next day delivery on all purchases to mainland UK. Buy before 1pm and we will send your boots on the same day, so you get to wear them the following day.
Returns
If the boots arrive and aren't quite your size, someone else already bought them for her, or they just aren't quite what you were expecting, we have a 30-day returns policy. Login to your customer account to make your return here. Find out more at vanvelzeandsmith.com/returns.
Questions
If you have any questions on the product, delivery, or our returns policy, please send us an email and we will be sure to help you out. You can email us at hello@vanvelzeandsmith.com.
Customer Reviews
I bought the protea boot in the cognac colour from Van Velze & Smith and I absolutely love them. The leather is genuine yearling leather, which is a beautiful, rich colour. The craftsmanship is exceptional, with meticulous attention to detail on the stitching and a very neat finish throughout. The quality is evident the moment you take them out of the box, and the boots feel both durable and beautifully made.
In terms of sizing, I found the fit to be slightly snug. I would normally wear a size 6, but after exchanging them for a size 7, the fit is now perfect and very comfortable
As I am based in South Africa and Van Velze & Smith are located in England, I was particularly impressed by their outstanding customer service. The original shipment arrived within just a few days, and when I needed a different size, the exchange process was completely free, efficient, and hassle-free. The communication was excellent throughout, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. The quality of the boots is superb (something I will probably wear for many years to come) and the level of customer care provided by Van Velze & Smith is truly commendable. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for beautifully crafted leather footwear backed by exceptional service.
Thank you, Van Velze & Smith!
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. We're delighted that you love your Protea boots and that we could make the exchange process smooth and easy. It means the world to us to know they'll be part of your journey for many years to come. Enjoy every step!
Choose options
- Heeled Chelsea boot with elasticated side insert
- Hand stitched Yearling leather
- Front and back cotton pull-on tab
- Stacked Cuban heel with rubber grip
- Leather sole
- Internal lining for comfort and longevity
- Van Velze & Smith crest on sock and sole
The Story
The King Protea gives its name to our elegantly crafted and robust, Cuban heeled Chelsea boot. Known for its beauty and strength, the South African national flower stands out with its punchy pink tones and defiance against the ravaging wildfires of the Western Cape’s countryside.
Handcrafted with all the hallmarks of a traditional Chelsea boot, the Protea features a round toe, elasticated inserts and pull tabs. However, this sleek dress boot’s class is enhanced by the introduction of a stacked Cuban heel with rubber grip. The extra lift from the heel is perfectly promoted by a lowered height contour which seamlessly aligns with the ankle, whilst the innersole ensures uncompromising comfort. Empowering ease of movement, but with a sophisticated appeal, the leather sole of the Protea gives the classic Chelsea boot a luxurious spin in flawless Yearling leather.
The Chelsea Boot
The traditional Chelsea boot has been a firm fashion favourite across Britain for many decades and is a recognised wardrobe staple for everyone from country folk to city high-flyers. Its heritage dates to the Victorian era and even after nearly two hundred years, very little alteration has been made to its original design. Characterised by its tapered fit, elastic side panels, ankle height, and pull tabs, contemporary models rarely veer away from the ‘classic look’. Whilst the round toe styles give a more relaxed aesthetic, a pair with a sharp chiselled toe adds a smart allure: perfect for wearing with formalwear.
Cuban Heel
The Cuban heel is characterised by its slightly curved back, straight front, and medium height. It first made an appearance in Persia in the 9th century, but the most current design originated in 20th century England and has become an iconic feature in its own right. Its durability, stability, and style have made it a popular choice of heel across many professions.
Care & Repair
Whilst every mark on your VVS boots tells a story, caring for your boots is still important, so that when they’re perfectly moulded to your feet, they are still in great condition.
Boot Care
Use a soft brush to give the leather a light buffing and to remove any loose dirt or salt particles which can cause damage over time.
Whilst visible dirt and salt can harm leather, dry conditions are leather’s ‘silent killer’. When the natural moisture escapes under dry conditions, the fibrous interweave will start to weaken and visible cracks form. By conditioning your boots before use with a good leather conditioner or balm and then always keeping the leather supple, you can avoid this sad tragedy. With the addition of waterproofing spray, this will allow your boots to retain their water resistance.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery
We offer next day delivery on all purchases to mainland UK. Buy before 1pm and we will send your boots on the same day, so you get to wear them the following day.
Returns
If the boots arrive and aren't quite your size, someone else already bought them for her, or they just aren't quite what you were expecting, we have a 30-day returns policy. Login to your customer account to make your return here. Find out more at vanvelzeandsmith.com/returns.
Questions
If you have any questions on the product, delivery, or our returns policy, please send us an email and we will be sure to help you out. You can email us at hello@vanvelzeandsmith.com.
Customer Reviews
I bought the protea boot in the cognac colour from Van Velze & Smith and I absolutely love them. The leather is genuine yearling leather, which is a beautiful, rich colour. The craftsmanship is exceptional, with meticulous attention to detail on the stitching and a very neat finish throughout. The quality is evident the moment you take them out of the box, and the boots feel both durable and beautifully made.
In terms of sizing, I found the fit to be slightly snug. I would normally wear a size 6, but after exchanging them for a size 7, the fit is now perfect and very comfortable
As I am based in South Africa and Van Velze & Smith are located in England, I was particularly impressed by their outstanding customer service. The original shipment arrived within just a few days, and when I needed a different size, the exchange process was completely free, efficient, and hassle-free. The communication was excellent throughout, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. The quality of the boots is superb (something I will probably wear for many years to come) and the level of customer care provided by Van Velze & Smith is truly commendable. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for beautifully crafted leather footwear backed by exceptional service.
Thank you, Van Velze & Smith!
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. We're delighted that you love your Protea boots and that we could make the exchange process smooth and easy. It means the world to us to know they'll be part of your journey for many years to come. Enjoy every step!
I bought the protea boot in the cognac colour from Van Velze & Smith and I absolutely love them. The leather is genuine yearling leather, which is a beautiful, rich colour. The craftsmanship is exceptional, with meticulous attention to detail on the stitching and a very neat finish throughout. The quality is evident the moment you take them out of the box, and the boots feel both durable and beautifully made.
In terms of sizing, I found the fit to be slightly snug. I would normally wear a size 6, but after exchanging them for a size 7, the fit is now perfect and very comfortable
As I am based in South Africa and Van Velze & Smith are located in England, I was particularly impressed by their outstanding customer service. The original shipment arrived within just a few days, and when I needed a different size, the exchange process was completely free, efficient, and hassle-free. The communication was excellent throughout, and the entire experience exceeded my expectations.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase. The quality of the boots is superb (something I will probably wear for many years to come) and the level of customer care provided by Van Velze & Smith is truly commendable. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for beautifully crafted leather footwear backed by exceptional service.
Thank you, Van Velze & Smith!
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. We're delighted that you love your Protea boots and that we could make the exchange process smooth and easy. It means the world to us to know they'll be part of your journey for many years to come. Enjoy every step!