My Favorite Black Chelsea Boots Are Under $80—And Have Survived New York City

Our Go-To Black Chelsea Boots

The initial reason I wanted to get the DirtyLaundry Maps Chelsea Boot ($70) was because of how cute they are. They're minimalist and modern in a way that lets eclectic, classy, and colorful outfits shine just as much as minimalist, neutral ones. But after I tried on my roommate's pair, I knew another reason I had to have them was because of how comfortable they are.

The cushion insole is definitely better than other boots I've owned over the years. All new shoes require time for you to break them in, so while they have left some calluses, these black Chelsea boots continue to be an easy and comfy choice for my daily footwear. So far, from a practical standpoint, they've also worked great in the rain (not the case for my suede shoes, which I almost ruined thanks to a surprise rainstorm). Plus, while they're roomy enough for nice socks, they also fit well enough that they don't feel like they're going to come off.

These black Chelsea boots are also under-$100, which is a huge selling point if you're trying to build your fall capsule wardrobe on a budget. Compared to classic picks like the Blundstone Chelsea Boots (which retail for $209) and Thursday Duchess Boots (which you can get for $160), the DirtyLaundry pair is a steal at $70. Because in this house, we save our cash for important things like Starbucks' fall menu and this year's fall movies ;).

On the aesthetic front, since they're black, these shoes go with literally everything in my closet! They look just as good with a tee and ripped jeans as they do with a sundress, and they've seen me through my Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert, social hours, and family functions. I do have plenty of fall get-togethers coming up this year so I can't wait to see just how many outfits I can create with them!