One of my favorite motifs has always been the Safari, combining utility and refinement with lightweight fabrics, drawing back on centuries of heritage. Traditionally worn in unpredictable tropical climates, no such style can be more suited to take on what has already proved to be an unruly Spring. Fitting this look into an urban landscape isn't so easily done; however, with a few modern twists it can create a stunning contrast to the urban jungle around you. As with all looks, we must start from the ground up, and thanks to Cat Footwear, we get to start all of these looks with the rugged Orson combat boot! A versatile throwback to the British Golden Age when their empire stretched from India to America; this tan variety can be traced back to the African safari. Here are just some of the ways that I modernized the genre to fit its urban environment.
Casual Friday
Green is going to be a big hit this season, especially olive, which plays a major role in safari style. I was very happy to incorporate some into this business causal look with a classic British expedition jacket paired with a clean palette of white and tan. Here the boots help to give a solid base while adding a rugged contrast to the white denim (another spring must have). This look truly embraces formal safari garb, making it great for a casual Friday look at a less strict office setting or as a less stuffy travel look. For extra style points, tuck the tie into the shirt when you ditch the jacket for a true safari feel.
Happy Hour Rugged
Nothing says city style like all black, providing monochromatic and tonal notes, providing a clean slate for you to do with as you please. In this instance, notes of safari utility with the epaulets and chest pockets take a backseat to the tonal nature of the rig. Style Tip: if you are looking to do something radical, try doing it as a part of a tonal look and it will blend in with the rest of your outfit. This after hours look is very simple with the true focus on the boots, with a strong black and tan contrast (Spring Color Combo), it highlights the non-tonal boots.
Weekend Utility
All the rage in casual wear right now is the henley, a timeless workwear piece that has found its way into the closet of many menswear influencers. And for good reason, they provide all the comfort of a t-shirt with significantly more style firepower. Most retailers are starting to push short-sleeve, but rolling the sleeves up just adds some badass to your look; you'll be able to find long-sleeve henleys on the sale racks now. For this look, I let the combat boots take a backseat to create an off-duty safari look that can go from the Saturday morning yard work to the cookout that is happening later that day.
Traditional safari style may not fit the city look, but with certain modifications, it can be made appropriate for any situation. Just remember to tie the look back to something more familiar like a heritage piece, a tonal look, or a popular menswear item so that it feels more comfortable for you and lends back to the environment that you're dressing for. Boldness doesn't necessarily have to be boisterous, and that holds true for the Urban Safari. Be dapper, be different!
The Boots
The Orson boot by Cat Footwear provides a very versatile footwear option that can translate to all seasons and style situations. For combat boot standards, these boots are fairly minimalist with only the bare essentials and a small brand tag that let the style truly stand out! They do require some break in time, but once they've had a few wears, they will mold to your feet like your favorite pair of trainers. Styling them is as simple as figuring out how much attention you want them to grab; as you can see in the looks, I rolled up my pants, tucked them in, and just left them with a casual cuff, all of which play nicely with these boots.
Special thanks again to Cat Footwear for providing a great pair of boots! Check them out on Instagram @CatFootwear.